Squarciò, a fisherman, lives with his family on a small island off the Dalmatian coast of Italy. Like his fellow villagers, Squarciò struggles against harsh living conditions, a scarcity of fish in nearby waters and exploitation by the local wholesaler. But while the other fishermen continue to use nets, he goes out to the open sea to fish illegally with bombs. But Squarciò borrows money, loses his boat, and in a moment of supreme desperation, has to bomb directly off-shore, causing the hatred and rejection of his fellow fishermen. Trying to save his family, Squarciò and his young sons sail their new boat out beyond the local waters and bomb-fish again. But this time, the sea exacts a terrible toll…
Yves Montand
Giovanni Squarciò
Alida Valli
Rosetta, the Wife
Francisco Rabal
Salvatore
Peter Carsten
Riva, 2nd Coast Guard Officer
Federica Ranchi
Diana Squarciò, the Daughter
Terence Hill
Renato
Josip Batistić
Stane Potokar
Angelo Zanolli
Janez Vrhovec
Giorgio Kuru
Giancarlo Soblone
Antonio 'Tonino' Squarciò, the Son
Ronaldo Bonacchi
Bore Squarciò, the Son
Umberto Spadaro
Gaspare Puggioni, 1st Coast Guard Officer
Pasquale Campagnola
(uncredited)
