Santiago is an old Cuban fisherman long regarded as the best in the business. Business has been slow lately, and Santiago has gone without a catch for 84 days. His young friend Manolo looks after him, helping him when he comes in from his day on the water. The other fishermen feel Santiago's got the worst luck there is--they are afraid it is catching. The next morning Santiago sets out alone in his little skiff, but doesn't come in at sundown. Santiago has hooked the biggest marlin he's ever seen, and it takes all his strength and considerable willpower to pull it in. After such a titanic struggle, will Santiago have enough left in him to fend off the sharks and scavengers when they come looking for lunch?