The Old Man and the Sea

Synopsis

In Havana’s Gulf of Mexico, old fisherman Santiago hasn’t caught a big fish for eighty-four days. Young Manolin, his loyal apprentice forced to work on another boat by his parents, still cares for him deeply and waits for his return every day. Refusing to surrender to bad luck, Santiago sails far into the deep sea alone. After three grueling days and nights of deadlock, he finally subdues a huge marlin weighing over 1,300 pounds. On his voyage back, the blood of the marlin draws swarms of sharks. The old man fights desperately with all his weapons, yet the giant fish is nearly eaten up. He only drags a complete fish skeleton back to the harbor. Though everyone thinks he loses, Santiago never admits defeat. He holds the belief that a man can be destroyed but never defeated. Manolin determines to go fishing with him again, and the old man falls asleep dreaming of lions, the symbol of his endless courage.