- Description
It was supposed to be a simple mission. But it ended up in the hell of the Chinese Civil War... China in 1926 is a country fragmented into small units, suffering under the domination of surrounding superpowers. The United States has several military units here, whose task is to ensure the safety of American citizens if necessary. This simple task is also performed by the crew of the steam gunboat San Pablo. However, no one calls the old, wheezing ship anything other than Sand Pebbles. This is where the skilled young engineer Jake Holman (Steve McQueen) comes into service. From the outset, however, he encounters minor and major difficulties. The operation of the ship, including Jake's engine, is unofficially handled by Chinese civilians, to whom the Americans have conveniently delegated most of their own responsibilities. It is not at all easy for Jake, a peculiar individualist, to fit into this collective. And it will become increasingly difficult as civil war begins to rage in China. On one side are the capable Communists, on the other are the supporters of the ruthless nationalist Chiang Kai-shek. Neither side wants the Americans on their territory...
