The Old Man and the Sea (1958)

Spencer Tracy: The Old Man, Narrator

Photos 

Quotes 

• The Old Man : Do not blame the hand, it is not the hand's fault

• The Old Man : Tomorrow is the 85th day. Eighty-five is a lucky number. How'd you like to see me bring one in that dressed out over a thousand pounds?

  The Boy : Are you strong enough now for a truly big fish?

  The Old Man : I think so - and there are many tricks.

• The Old Man : Never have I had such a strong fish - or one that acted so strangely. Maybe he's too wise to jump. He could ruin me with a jump. Or one quick rush. Maybe he has been hooked many times before and he knows this is how he must make his fight.

• The Boy : You're my alarm clock.

  The Old Man : Age is my alarm clock.

  The Boy : Sleep well, Old Man.

• The Old Man : Sometime I would like to take the great DiMaggio fishing. They say his father was a fisherman. Maybe he was poor like we are, and he would understand.

• The Old Man : I went out too far, fish. No good for you, nor for me. I'm sorry, fish.

• The Old Man : I am not lucky anymore.

  The Boy : The hell with luck. I'll bring the luck with me.

• The Old Man : Luck is a thing that comes in many forms. Who can recognize her?

• The Old Man : I wish I could see the lights of Havana. I wish for too many things. But that is what I wish now.

• The Boy : If I cannot fish with you, I'd like to serve in some way.

  The Old Man : You bought me a beer. You are already a man.

• The Boy : Santiago, I could go with you again. We've made enough money.

  The Old Man : No, no. You are in a lucky boat. You stay with them.

• The Old Man : I have yesterday's newspaper. I will read the baseball.

• The Boy : Tell me about the great John J. McGraw.

  The Old Man : He used to come to the terrace sometimes in the olden days too. His mind was on the horses, I think, as much as it was on the baseball. At least he used to carry lists of horses in his pocket at all times. And frequently, he would speak the names of horses on the telephone.

  The Boy : He was a great manager. My father thinks he was the greatest.

  The Old Man : That's because he came here the most times. If Durocher had continued coming here your father would think he was the greatest manager.

  The Boy : Who is the greatest manager, really?

  The Old Man : I think they are all equal.

• The Old Man : He took the bait like a male. He moves like a male. There is no panic in his fight. I wonder if he has a plan or if he's just as desperate as I am.

• The Old Man : Man is not made for defeat. Man can be destroyed, but not defeated.

• The Old Man : Never have I seen or heard of such a fish. But I must kill him. I'm glad I do not have to kill the stars. Imagine how it would be if, every day, a man had to try to kill the moon. The moon runs away. But think what it would be if, every day, he had to try to kill the sun. We're born lucky.

• The Old Man : Now I have killed this fish who was my brother. Now I must do the slave work. Get to work, Old Man.

• The Old Man : Stay awake and steer. You still may have some luck. I would like to buy some...... if there is a place where they sell it. What would I buy it with? A lost harpoon? A broken knife? Two bad hands?

• The Old Man : It's too good to be true. Might just as well have been a dream.