MovieChat Forums > The Old Man and the Sea (1958) Discussion > Why didn't the sharks eat the old man?

Why didn't the sharks eat the old man?

posted 14 years ago by methriller
6 replies | jump to latest

Why go after a dead, mutilated dolphin? Why didn't they try for a fresh prey constantly spanking and teasing them with a oar? Wasn't this supposed to spice up their appetite? Sharks do EAT man? right?

[–] highwaystar50 14 years ago

First, it was a marlin, not a dolphin. Second, sharks don't actually like the taste of humans. Third, in order for the sharks to take a bite of the old man to find out that they didn't like the taste of him, he'd have to go for a swim with them, which he didn't. He elected to stay in the boat. This isn't Jaws after all.
KS

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] spookyrat1 11 years ago

"It would have made a better but much shorter film if they had."

A Hemmingway re-imagining?

[–] fanaticita 10 years ago

That would have been a different book and film.

[–] forrykook 10 years ago

There was kind of a , how do you say?..... a BOAT in between them. *facepalm*

[–] coldnaps 8 years ago

👍