Death in Venice (1971)

(Morte a Venezia)

Alfred: You have achieved perfect balance: the man and the artist are one. They have touched bottom together.

Mann’s novel of decay and decadence is turned by Visconti into an operatic travelogue with gorgeous costumes

The setting is early 20th Venice. Aging and ailing composer Gustav von Aschenbach (Dirk Bogarde) has arrived at a beach resort for a sort of rest cure.  It seems not only his illness but also his music could use a good shot in the arm.  Gustav spends much of his time musing (in flashbacks) about his artistic frustrations (his best friend is also his worst critic) and happy times at home with his wife and children.  In appearance, Gustav looks shot all to hell.

Then Gustav spots angelic blonde Polish teenager Tadzio (Björn Andresen) who is vacationing with his mother (Silvana Mangano) and two sisters.  Gustav starts stalking the innocent Tadzio from afar.  He is obsessed with the idea of such perfect beauty existing in a debauched world.  They never exchange anything more than glances.  Eventually, Gustav must leave to fetch his luggage.  When he returns to Venice, everything has changed.

I love Dirk Bogarde.  So you will understand when I say his performance is not worth watching the movie for I need not write much more. Bogarde is fine but nothing special in a story that doesn’t particularly require much from him.  Or maybe it’s just the way the story is told.  It seems to be more of an excuse to hang  beautiful scenery, costumes and settings on.