Figure 1.--Classic Hemingway novel about an elderly Cuban fisherman played by Spencer Tracey and his prize catch, a giant marlin. An elderly Cuban fisherman suceeds in hauling in a huge fish, a masterful bit of fishing from his small boat. He had gone 84 days without catching a fish. He is seen as a has been in the village. His only friend, a young boy (Felipe Pazos). He wants to out with the elderly fishermen, but his father will not let him. Felipe plays his part quite well, nut we know nothing about him. We do not know if he appeared in any other films.

Classic Hemingway novel about an elderly Cuban fisherman played by Spencer Tracey and his prize catch, a giant marlin. An elderly Cuban fisherman suceeds in hauling in a huge fish, a masterful bit of fishing from his small boat. He had gone 84 days without catching a fish. He is seen as a has been in the village. His only friend, a young boy (Felipe Pazos). He wants to out with the elderly fishermen, but his father will not let him. Cuba is well known as a sport fishing pardise, although stocks are now reduced because of overfishing. Before the sport fishery began, these fish clled billfish were also caught by artisanal fishermen from smallboats on the open ocean. Some of the fish, including the marlins and swordfish could be enormous. Felipe's father did not allow him to go out with the old man. The old man is, howeve, detrmined to catch a big fish. On the 85th day the old man manages to hook a giant marlin. He battles the marlin for three days and nights. It is a trial of mental courage and failing physical strength. He is determined to prove his worth as a man to himself and the village. Tracey was nominated for a best actor Oscar. It is surely one of Spencer Tracey's best performances, showing the range of his performances. The screenplay was notable for its effort to stay true to the Hemingway text. One film historian describes it as the "most literal, word-for-word rendition of a written story ever filmed". The book was adapted for Holluwood by Peter Viertel. It was directed by John Sturges. He apparently was not satisfied withbthe finished producr, calling it "technically the sloppiest picture I have ever made." Dimitri Tiomkin won the Academy Award for Best Original Score. A boy (Felipe Pazos) takes care of him at home. Felipe plays his part quite well, nut we know nothing about him. We do not know if he was in ny other films. It is probably the best known film about Cuba. One of the reasons that Hemingway is so revered in Cuba.