The Sand Pebbles

The Sand Pebbles is a historical drama film set in 1926 China, during the Warlord Era. The movie follows Jake Holman, a new engineer on the USS San Pablo, an American gunboat patrolling the Yangtze River. Holman's iconoclastic nature clashes with the 'rice-bowl' system' that runs the ship and the uneasy symbiosis between Chinese and foreigners on the river. The crew faces hostility from the Chinese workers and the local population, leading to tragic events that force Holman to confront his own beliefs and values. With a gripping storyline that tackles themes such as nationalism, racism, and friendship, The Sand Pebbles was nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Steve McQueen's performance.

You can stream The Sand Pebbles on: Apple TV Amazon Store

Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as The Sand Pebbles include Doctor Zhivago, Murphy's War, Operation Crossbow, The Elusive Corporal, The Carabineers, Castle Keep.