The Old Man and the Sea

Starring:Anthony Quinn, Gary Cole, Patricia Clarkson, Joe Santos, Valentina Quinn, Francesco Quinn, Paul Calderon, Sully Diaz, Jaime Tirelli, RaÃºl DÃ¡vila, James McDaniel, Rene Rivera, Steven Rodriquez, Manuel E. Santiago, Alexis Cruz
Director: Jud Taylor
Studio: Lance Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

The classic Ernest Hemingway novel about man battling nature and the demons within himself is adapted admirably in this 1958 film starring the legendary Spencer Tracy. Playing the fisherman who goes on an intense and futile quest as he contemplates his own nature, Tracy turns in a spellbinding performance of understated power. He plays an itinerant Cuban fisherman whose luck at catching his prey has been poor of late, until he becomes embroiled in an intense pursuit of a giant marlin and in the process must confront his own frailties. Though the visual aspect of the film seems dated, Tracy is more than enough reason to see this effort at bringing one of the modern classics of literature to life on the screen. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews:

If you review... Jabber..... Be a more informed and sentive reviewer! .......2007-06-03

I find it interesting that a person with a nickname (Jabber) finds works like "As time goes by", a wonderful British Sit-Com with Oscar winner Judy Dench who played the Queen in "Shakespeare in Love"(1998) and "The Old Man and the Sea", and this person thinks they are Dull. Well I can only say that this person probably has no interest in Character study, Human Nature, Literature, Human Inner Struggle and even Good Comedy and should consider confining his/her Comments & Critiques to Subjects that have nothing to do with the Human Condition. I would also suggest for this person to find a way to broaden his/her horizon by Traveling,Good Books,Literary works by renowned Authors and even merely observing other people and maybe only maybe his/her horizon might broaden.
I will be honest and have not been able to get into it yet, because unfortunately I have a short attention span. I am willing to give it a second try knowing that Ernest Hemingway was such an accomplished writer and got a Nobel Prize for this work. I will probably read the Book first then see the Movie again.
I have a special interest in this story because I am Cuban born and have also been in Cojimar, the fishing Town where the story took place. It will be of interest that Hemingway was adopted by the Cuban people and he based his story on a real fisherman who lived in Cojimar and became his friend.
I was a a young girl when the story was written (1953) and lived there until 1962. In the 1940's & 50's the pace of life in Cuba was much slower than here, specially in small Fishing Towns like Cojimar. It is a very different world from the one we know here in the USA but it is a wonderful one to live or vacation since it is so relaxing. Your tensions just melt away. The Movie may not be for everyone for its style departs from the ones where they chew it for you. I am sure the book is much better as you can enjoy Heminway's wonderful descriptive prose and enjoy a world foreign to so many here in the USA.
I spent my best Summer days/hours at a Beach named Baracoa, in Havana's North Coast, not far from where the story took place, and met real Cuban Fisherman there. I hope my comment is helpful to those who are looking for more than an easy way out in being entertained. Worth watching!

Up to Par?.......2007-01-10

Being one of Hemingway's most enduring works (it earned him a Nobel Prize in 1954), it was only a matter of time before it was put to film. Although John Sturges was given credit as director, two uncredited director's also worked on the film (Henry King & Fred Zinnemann); Which may be the reason this film falls far short of the novella. In any case, Spencer Tracy does bring the character to life, gives this film credibility and also brought him an Academy Award nomination. If your a Hemingway, Sturges or Spencer fan you definitely need this film in your collection.

if fidel watched this hed fall asleep forever.......2006-11-10

the chances of anyone making a workable movie out of hemingways novella were slim, and this might count as a noble effort if not for the fact that it is as deadly dull a movie as any ive ever seen. spencer tracy rarely came off as a dullard, but this just doesnt work on any level. A for effort, F for execution.

Faithful to the novel.......2005-11-12

This version of Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea is a faithful adaptation of the novel. The story focuses on Santiago, an old man who has spent 84 days without catching a fish. Spencer Tracey plays the old man to perfection for the most part, as he sets out on the 85th day to capture his big prize. While it isn't a movie that blows you away with either script or action, it is a film with a purpose.

Perhaps what most viewers or critics of this movie won't get is that it is richly symbolic in nature, and therefore probably won't appeal to viewers who lack attention spans. Most of Santiago's stuggle is within himself, and his age is a symbol for wisdom and perseverance. The boy, his counterpart, continually befriends him in hopes that the one day will arrive when he brings home the big catch.

The movie really is a testament to Man versus Nature, and is able to depict this sucessfully. One of the most essential points of the story is not only Santiago's respect for the sea and its inhabitants, but the essential quality of being successful at something.

If you are expecting a ton of action, or some big crash or storm scenes, then this probably isn't your movie. However, if you want a movie that successfully illustrates what Hemingway wanted for his short novela, then this is it.

3 1/2 stars.

Fine Hemingway adaptation.......2005-02-27

Spencer Tracy gives a powerful performance as Santiago, the desperate old fisherman who must struggle to subdue and then keep the giant marlin that represents his salvation. Director John Sturges and screenwriter Peter Viertel retain much of Ernest Hemingway's symbolism, making of Santiago a Christ-like figure. A more apt Biblical analog might be Job; like him, Santiago endures the indignities and strife thrust upon him, but perseveres and endures while retaining his appreciation of nature and simple pleasures./

There is a lot of voice-over narration in this film. In addition to playing Santiago, Tracy reads excerpts from the novel to deepen and comment upon the action. In most cases, I would be annoyed by such pervasive intrusion, but it makes sense here because Santiago spends so much time alone. In addition, since the narration is drawn directly from the novel, it provides the added pleasure of a wonderful actor performing Hemingway's deceptively simple prose.

Average customer rating:

Fails to catch the tone and atmosphere of the novel at all....
Forget this version
Anthony Quinn at his finest...
English teacher gives this DVD a "B"
Superb!

The Old Man and the Sea
Starring: Anthony Quinn , Gary Cole , Patricia Clarkson , Joe Santos , and Valentina Quinn
Director: Jud Taylor
Manufacturer: KOCH VISION
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0009K7RM0
Release Date: 2005-07-12

Amazon.com

It takes courage for any actor to fill shoes previously worn by Spencer Tracy, but no one could accuse fellow two-time Oscar ^® winner Anthony Quinn of cowardice. It was, in fact, a longtime goal of the Mexican-born actor to take on the role of Ernest Hemingway's luckless fisherman Santiago. It would be churlish to suggest that he bests Tracy (who received an Oscar nod for his performance), but there's little doubt that Quinn, in his 70s at the time (Tracy was in his 50s in 1958), looks and sounds more right for the part. This 1990 telefilm is also a family affair as Quinn's daughter, Valentina, portrays Santiago's concerned daughter and his son, Francesco, portrays the Cuban as a scrappy young man. Gary Cole and Patricia Clarkson provide strong support as an American couple who take inspiration from Santiago's quest to catch just one fish after an 84-day dry spell. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

Determined to prove them wrong by bringing back a magnificent catch, Santiago goes out to sea. Farther out than ever before. Out to the battle of his life.

The Old Man and the Sea, Hemingway's "signature" novel won a Pulitzer Prize and was specifically cited when he won the Nobel Prize in literature.

Customer Reviews:

Fails to catch the tone and atmosphere of the novel at all...........2007-04-08

This 1990 TV Film, fails on all fronts to catch the tone and adventure of Ernest Hemmingway's novel. The acting by Quinn is dry as is all the supporting characters, and the fade out,fade in editing of this film to break for the adds, is annoying and interupts the flow of the story. After this, I turned my back on any further TV film efforts based on classic American novels and stories, they are always let downs and are medicore at best.

Forget this version.......2007-04-04

If you loved the Spencer Tracy version, this will be a great disappointment. Quinn turns in a respectable performance, but it is wooden compared to the Tracy version. The story is also muddled by the repeated insertion of Hemingway himself supposedly observing the story unfold, and then to later write it up. Bottom line, save your money

Anthony Quinn at his finest..........2007-01-17

I have recently listened to The Old Man and The Sea read by Donald Sutherland. It is an excellent reading. Anthony Quinn's acting is superb and he perfectly plays Santiago, The Old Man. The boy is done finely too. There are elements added that are not in the book per se, but they do not detract from the power of this story of the courage and perserverence of The Old Man. This is truly a 5-star video...

English teacher gives this DVD a "B".......2006-07-20

Making a movie of some guy fishing for three days appealing to an audience of high school kids is a daunting task. Hemingway's "Old Man" isn't exactly full of action, but kids liked reading the novella mainly because they identified with Santiago's ruminations about life and not being defeated by it. This facet of the story is wonderfully presented by Anthony Quinn in a masterful performance as Santiago.

A nice touch to the story (and one that was lost on most of my students) was including Hemingway as a character in the movie: an unnamed newspaper writer on vacation with his wife and who wants to tell the story of Santiago's struggle. Also some of the effects seem dated (The marlin leaping up in the air looked like it was projected behind Anthony Quinn), and some students laughed at the production values of this 15 year old movie.

That said, most students actually enjoyed seeing the movie, and I think it was presented well and well acted. A good supplement to reading the novella in class.

Superb!.......2005-10-08

I haven't read the book by Ernest Hemingway and I haven't seen the old movie with Spencer Tracy but I have seen this remake and I loved it! Anthony Quinn is a superb actor and he was excellent in this movie! This movie is most definitely worthy of 5 stars!

Average customer rating:

stunning
Pure candy for the eyes
Our six year old loved this
A Masterpiece

The Old Man and the Sea (Animated IMAX)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Man Who Planted Trees DVD Box Set - Nine Animated Classics by Frederic Back
The Old Man and the Sea
Jiri Barta: Labyrinth of Darkness
Blood Tea And Red String
The Complete Works of Yuri Norstein (DVD NTSC)

ASIN: B00080M2UI

Product Description

This film is such a milestone that it's a shame that it will probably never be screened again in it's original IMAX format. Petrov's animation technique involves oil painting on glass, which most animation geeks are familiar with. When combined with IMAX the result is stunning. There is one shot near the end of the film with shows the Cuban fishing village at night with the stars in the background. The stars shimmer like diamonds set into dark blue velvet - incredible, beyond words, even if you are jaded about "art house" animation. - don't miss it!

Customer Reviews:

stunning.......2006-10-26

An absolute master of animation. This movie is probably some of the best animation I had seen in quite a long time. Saw it about 5 years ago and can still image how beautiful the entire movie was. It's even more amazing when you learn about how it was made...basically finger paintings on glass. I can't even begin to imagine how difficult it is. Definitely something to watch.

Pure candy for the eyes.......2006-04-30

More than two years painting on glass have enabled Petrov to produce this absolutely awesome 20-minute animated film. I have watched it four times in two days and still cannot help but watch it again. Each scene is vibrant with life and the film as a whole has a dimension of profound imagination, as Hemingway's masterpiece has. The two included documentaries (Hemingway bio+making of the film) are both great, too. This is a must have. Superb!

Our six year old loved this.......2006-03-31

We saw this just recently (2006) at the IMAX in Portland. Our six year old was in awe. Literally. He really loved seeing the images painted (by fingers) onto glass. These reviews are right - it is a wonderful way to introduce children to Ernest Hemingway AND the beauty of animation.

A Masterpiece.......2005-12-13

Whether you saw this in an IMAX theatre or not will really not matter basically. Would this be a film to watch in an IMAX theatre? Most certainly. However if you love beautiful animation in the tradition of the best kind of Disney movie, only hand painted on glass this is a must have.
This is an excellent opportunity to introduce Hemingway to kids and also a way for adults to understand the process and hard work that goes into a film of this kind. Alexander Petrov's use of colors and textures are so stunning this requires several screenings to appreciate and take them all in.
I would highly recommend that you watch the film first. Sometimes the "making of" feature can take away from, although I'm not positive that this would happen on this breathtaking little film.
Are you a parent? Watch this with your kid! Are you teacher? Watch this with your class! Are you an animation buff? Do yourself a favor and add this to your collection. You won't regret it.

Average customer rating:

The Old Man and the Sea
Starring: Gordon Pinsent , and Kevin Delaye
Director: Alexander Petrov
Manufacturer: Direct Source Label
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Release Date: 2005-04-24

Average customer rating:

Rameses: Wrath of God or Man? DVD

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Nefertiti Resurrected

ASIN: B000E4FXO0

Product Description

Join a team of international scientists and forensic archaeologists led by famed Egyptology professor Kent Weeks as they try to unravel the mystery that links Pharaoh Rameses the Great, a skull found in the largest tomb ever unearthed in Egypt and the most pivotal moment of the Bible's Old Testament. Rameses II was the self-styled greatest of all the Pharaohs, a man who ruled longer, built more monuments to his victories and controlled an empire larger than any other Egyptian king to follow. A consummate "myth-maker," Rameses left a legacy both astounding and confounding. But does that legacy include driving the Jews out of Egypt, as many Jewish, Christian and Muslim scholars believe? In tomb KV5 in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, witness the excavation of four skulls believed to be those of Rameses elder sons. Using the latest forensic science, Prof. Weeks hopes to identify one of the skulls as Amun-her-khepeshef firstborn son of Rameses and the man the Bible says was struck down by God. Further evidence leads to another startling Biblical connection: Rameses may indeed be the father of Moses, who rejected his father's will and delivered thousands of slaves from bondage. Watch as the latest advances in forensic anthropology, CG recreations of the Pharaoh's royal court and dramatized sequences of pivotal moments in his life reveal compelling evidence of Rameses the Great's likely role in an event that is at the very cornerstone of the three monotheistic faiths.

Average customer rating:

Fails to catch the tone and atmosphere of the novel at all....
Forget this version
Anthony Quinn at his finest...
English teacher gives this DVD a "B"
Superb!

The Old Man and the Sea
Starring: Anthony Quinn , Gary Cole , Patricia Clarkson , Joe Santos , and Valentina Quinn
Director: Jud Taylor
Manufacturer: Lance Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

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( O ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Old Man and the Sea
Moby Dick
Islands in the Stream
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Biography - Ernest Hemingway: Wrestling with Life (A&E DVD Archives)

ASIN: B00006JDT1
Release Date: 2004-09-21

Amazon.com

Description

The heroic saga of Santiago, in his prime the greatest fisherman of them all and now 84 days without a catch. The villagers claim he's too old - he has "lost his luck." His daughter thinks he should give up the sea and live with her Havana. Determined to prove them wrong, to bring back a magnificent catch, to vindicate himself even to himself, Santiago goes out to sea. Farther out than ever before. Out to the battle of his life.

Customer Reviews:

Fails to catch the tone and atmosphere of the novel at all...........2007-04-08

Forget this version.......2007-04-04

Anthony Quinn at his finest..........2007-01-17

English teacher gives this DVD a "B".......2006-07-20

Superb!.......2005-10-08

Average customer rating:

Fails to catch the tone and atmosphere of the novel at all....
Forget this version
Anthony Quinn at his finest...
English teacher gives this DVD a "B"
Superb!

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Sea Adventure | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

( O ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Old Man and the Sea
Moby Dick
Islands in the Stream
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Biography - Ernest Hemingway: Wrestling with Life (A&E DVD Archives)

ASIN: B00005R5H2
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Fails to catch the tone and atmosphere of the novel at all...........2007-04-08

Forget this version.......2007-04-04

Anthony Quinn at his finest..........2007-01-17

English teacher gives this DVD a "B".......2006-07-20

Superb!.......2005-10-08

Average customer rating:

The Old Man and the Sea (All-Region)

Manufacturer: DVD Call
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

Editorial Reviews [Amazon.com] It takes courage for any actor to fill shoes previously worn by Spencer Tracy, but no one could accuse fellow two-time Oscar® winner Anthony Quinn of cowardice. It was, in fact, a longtime goal of the Mexican-born actor to take on the role of Ernest Hemingway's luckless fisherman Santiago. It would be churlish to suggest that he bests Tracy (who received an Oscar nod for his performance), but there's little doubt that Quinn, in his 70s at the time (Tracy was in his 50s in 1958), looks and sounds more right for the part. This 1990 telefilm is also a family affair as Quinn's daughter, Valentina, portrays Santiago's concerned daughter and his son, Francesco, portrays the Cuban as a scrappy young man. Gary Cole and Patricia Clarkson provide strong support as an American couple who take inspiration from Santiago's quest to catch just one fish after an 84-day dry spell. --Kathleen C. Fennessy [This text refers to the DVD edition.] DESCRIPTION: The heroic saga of Santiago, in his prime the greatest fisherman of them all and now 84 days without a catch. The villagers claim he's too old - he has "lost his luck." His daughter thinks he should give up the sea and live with her in Havana. Determined to prove them wrong by bringing back a magnificent catch, Santiago goes out to sea. Farther out than ever before. Out to the battle of his life. The Old Man and the Sea, Hemingways "signature" novel won a Pulitzer Prize and was specifically cited when he won the Nobel Prize in literature. This officially licensed South Korean release is in English with optional English or Korean subtitles.

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