Death in Venice [1971] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Customer Reviews:

A Haunting Film.......2002-07-05

A commercial failure at the cinema due to the fact that many movie distributers wouldnt touch it, it made the rounds in Art Houses and gained many admirers. Now, often shown on late night BBC. It is one of the most beautiful, haunting films ever made. Slow and solemn, it tells the story of a dying composer who is sent to Venice to recuperate. He then develops a crush on a young Polish boy and follows him around a cholera stricken Venice. The final scene of the composer dying of heart failure as he watches the boy wading into the sea is painful to watch. There is much to admire in this film, notably Dirk Bogarde;s sensitive performance as the dying composer, the Venice scenery; and of course the wonderful music composed by Gustav Mahler. Indeed, a movie producer admired the music so much he asked if Mahler could be signed up not realising that Mahler had died 60 years previously!!! If you like Art House films, and especially if you are an admirer of Mahler's music like I am, then it will be a good buy. One thing though, the sound is not up to scratch and needs to be digitally remastered for a DVD release to make it a worthwhile purchase. Moreover, it also needs to be seen in widescreen rather than full screen. Fans should demand a DVD release soon.

The visible personification of absolute perfection.......2002-02-26

Luchino Visconti's Death in Venice, like no other film I know, seems to have as many detractors as admirers. Critics refer to the apparently muddled storyline and infidelity to Mann's original Novelle.

The Novelle is undoubtedly a masterpiece of late Romantic Symbolism, but in my personal opinion the film stands on its own as a work of art. For me, the performance of Dirk Bogarde, Pasquale de Santis' stunning photography and the inspired choice of Mahler for the soundtrack unite to form a quite unforgettable tour de force, quite the most moving and awe-inspiring film about beauty ever created.

I would also add that Björn Andresen, who plays the androgenous youth so perfectly, was never a member of Abba, as a previous reviewer believes to be the case.

Bogarde's Finest Performance.......2001-05-28

I must admit to long associating the late Dirk Bogarde with the series of weak 'Doctor...' movies. But not anymore! Arguably one of the most moving screen performances, Bogarde's beautifully understated acting carries the film through a good deal of dialogue-free scenes. He is totally rivetting to watch as the dying composer who finds desire awakening in him again. Everything about Bogarde from his facial expressions to his body movements are superbly crafted and the final scene on the beach reaches a symbolic brilliance. Much of the credit for the genius of this film must also go to its director,Visconti. I am not familiar with any of his other films but some of the direction reminds me of Peter Greenaway at his best. Venice is a very grand cinematic city but the way this film is shot and the atmosphere of decaying beauty portrayed stays with me long afterwards. The score is wonderfully evocative too. An immense film carried by an immense acting performance.

recluse to screen.......2000-08-11

dirk bogarde left self-enflicted retirement to make this film, the start of several which remain as british screen greats. he played the part of von ashenback far to earily for some, however in his true style the part was related with thorough passion. bogarde's make-up for the film took a couple of hours to apply, the make-up artist often using "stand-by" applications which burnt the skin off bogard's face. with a future member of abba in the cast the film is a must to watch if not for the performance of mr, van den bogarde himself.

A superb fim spoiled by a very poor soundtrack.......2000-05-11

The previous review sums up exactly how I found the film including the music by Mahler. Regrettably, and it may have been the copy of the video which I received, the sountrack was so bad that it was painful to the ears at times.

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