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Getting back to the topic heading.... So, just what is the meaning of THE SAND PEBBLES?
It's been years since I've seen the film, but I think the title refers to those serving on the boat "San Pablo". Some of the Chinese pronounce it "Sand Pebble", and from there the crew refer to themselves as the "sand pebbles" as well. I believe there is a scene in the movie where Richard Attenborough's character explains that. But as I said, it's been a while. It's of course also a nice allegory, since sand pebbles get washed up and down the shores and river banks.
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That's the meaning of the title, not the subtext of the film. That's what I'm asking. I think it's about anti-nationalism. Can it be a socialistic film?
Yes, but the original poster actually asked for the meaning of the title and not about the subtext of the film, so I took your post to actually reply to the original poster, since the question has remained unanswered so far.
As far as the subtext goes, that is of course open to individual interpretation. As far as I'm concerned, the movie makes a clear case for the importance of personal moral choices over hiding behind orders or nationalities. I don't think it is necessarily "anti-national", but it is "pro individual" (and therefore not particularly socialist either).
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That's the meaning of the title, not the subtext of the film. That's what I'm asking. I think it's about anti-nationalism. Can it be a socialistic film?
Yes, but the original poster actually asked for the meaning of the title and not about the subtext of the film, so I took your post to actually reply to the original poster, since the question has remained unanswered so far.
Well, it was actually already answered by Wedge in an early post; I just missed that until now.
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I've never seen the film, but I've had the re-recording for years. I'm content with that (no need for any other or subsequent release). I like the score, but it's not one I return to very often.
Hey, it's like you are already preemptively defending yourself against alternative versions because they might be complete and chronological. 
In any case, I like the re-recording as well, I champion a lot of the re-recordings of Varese Sarabande of that time, but this is a case where I have to admit the original soundtrack is superior in both content and performance.
The premise of the film sounds intriguing, though, so I might check it out down the road.
The movie is very, very good indeed. As far as quality of movie is concerned, this is without question one of the finest films Goldsmith has ever scored. It is a quality production and while it was an obviously expensive Hollywood historical production, the intelligent screenplay that was directed with care. Perhaps because Robert Wise both produced and directed this film, so he did not have to compromise his vision as a director with the producer. ;-)
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Anyway, this movie is not an analogy of US involvement in Vietnam. The book was written before the US got itself stuck in that mess.
It can be seen as such, regardless of when the book was written, since the parallels remain nevertheless obvious.
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A masterpiece of film, music, acting, writing, direction and everything else. It was indeed quite faithful to the book but the book is so epic that I have always felt it would, without taking anything away from the film, make for a fascinating miniseries remake.
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Posted: |
Apr 25, 2016 - 5:05 PM
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By: |
Howard L
(Member)
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It's "Intermission," Holman has consented to requesting a transfer and the ship resumes course. And I'm posting. Not sure how much I can add to replies of yore, looks like we were very much on target then, but I'll say parallels/comparisons such as serving country vs. serving God, saving face vs. showing compassion and self-sacrificing ("They say you're a Jonah"), humilty vs. arrogance and elevating vs. subjugating are coming sharper into focus.
As is appreciation for the immediate and overall context of the setting i.e. staying impossibly neutral post-WW1 in a local conflict that has future implications for a greater conflict between democratic and communist/totalitarian societies. Oh for goshsakes by pure happenstance this is a companion piece to my For Whom The Bell Tolls project http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/board/posts.cfm?threadID=114779&forumID=1&archive=0 just completed. Pebbles takes place about ten years prior to the Spanish civil war of the Hemingway novel/film adaptation but that "greater conflict" is the same. My oh my I was not expecting to get into all this stuff. A regular David Denby I'm becoming in my semi-crotchety barely pre-senior years.
On a lighter note, I was hysterical when Ho-Pan head butted the Simon Oakland bully. Haven't had that good a laugh in ages. And hooray for the underdog! And as for "my secret"...oh yeah Rory that's the punchline all right!
The score is even better the second time around. My goodness. And like replies between two threads, the Wise/Goldsmith combo would do it again fourteen or so years later: from TSP to ST: TMP. Another ship, another storm on the horizon.
Whoops--Intermission over, back to the film...
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