The Sand Pebbles
The Sand Pebbles is a 1966 American epic war film directed by Robert Wise in Panavision. It tells the story of an independent, rebellious U.S. Navy machinist's mate first class, aboard the fictional river gunboat USS San Pablo, on Yangtze Patrol in 1920s China. The production was filmed on location in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Plot
In 1926 China during its Warlord Era, Navy Machinist's Mate First Class Jake Holman transfers to the Yangtze River Patrol gunboat USS San Pablo as their new engineer. Almost immediately, he upsets the crew when he will not accept the unofficial Chinese workers they use to do most of their duties. Instead, Holman takes personal responsibility of the engine room. He befriends a seasoned sailor named Frenchy.