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Death in Venice (1971) Reviews

Death in Venice (1971)
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Based on a novel by Thomas Mann, Death in Venice stars Dirk Bogarde as a German composer who is terrified that he has lost all vestiges of humanity. While visiting Venice, Bogarde falls in love with a beautiful young boy (Bjorn Andresen). The relationship is ruined by Bogarde's obsession with the boy's youth and physical perfection; the composer realizes that the child represents an ideal that he can never match. The character played by Dirk Bogarde is evidently intended to be Gustav Mahler, whose haunting music is featured on the film's soundtrack. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Dirk Bogarde, Bjorn Andresen, (more)
Director(s):
Luchino Visconti
Format(s):
DVD  | Digital SD
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Average Ratings

(11 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Robert R.

This film exemplifies the term, "masterpiece." An older man on holiday suddenly finds mortality staring him in the face as he observes youth embodied, in its real, pure form; in an adolescent boy who (with family) is staying in the same hotel during a summer in Venice. It is not a gay story. The older man is happlessly drawn to the boy (representing his lost youth). The two never actually meet, but the man seems to feel youth now taunts him in his old age, as the boy innocently returns the man's gazes with long, almost knowing stares. It is like a slow death for the man. His ego is wrecked by the boy's beauty and youth like an afront to his own aging; his realization of what he has lost and will never have again. The film is richly embellished in symbolism. The sad music of Gustav Mahler sets off the story and the ageless Venice backdrop. This rare style of art film is nearly extinct. A magnificent film.

Yes   |   No


Anne S.

This film is based on Gustav Mahler's last days. The soundtrack draws from Mahler's stunning 2nd and 5th symphonies. Although the film is visually (art direction/film technology) dated, it is a time-less masterpiece. The story is slow and perhaps emotionally difficult to digest, but it allows for acting and soundtrack to take over and drive this film. This movie is not for everyone. If you like light-hearted shallow happy ending type films, you will HATE this one. If on the other hand you like to be challenged, enjoy the unusual, and can LISTNE and understand sound, you will love this movie.

Yes   |   No


Donald K.

Minimalist dialogue. The story is told through gestures, looks, camera techniques. The story slows down when there are sections of Mann's story that reflect his philosophy. Other than that the story is better than reading the book.

Yes   |   No


Richard H.

As a movie ... it's difficult to like, due to incredibly stilted dialogue and pregnant pauses that lead to ... more pregnant pauses. I suppose it was an epic in its day, but it is rescued only by snatches of 'beautiful pictures' surrounded by painful patches of mundane plodding. The director seems to take it for granted that we know the story, rather than telling it ... with the sound off, it plays much better.

Yes   |   No


Charles J.

Pretty, pathetic, and prurient in a Mahler sort of way. Anyhoo, I'm not a Thomas Mann fan.

Yes   |   No


Alicia S.

I have always been intrigued by this story and knowing that this movie had this great reputation I was looking forward to seeing it. However, I cannot say that it was a good movie in any way. The scenery was beautiful but tiresome because it was like watching stills. The main actor over acted throughout the movie, his obsession with this boy remains more in his mind than in anyone else. The conversations are absurd. I don't understand what the big deal was with this movie. I have seen movies of this era that have been one thousand times better. I did not appreciate it and do not recommended it. I dare say that whoever says this is a great five star movie is being pretentious. How can some people say it is not a gay story? The man goes to the beauty shop and gets make up and lipstick on. He longs for a little boy. Yeah, maybe not a gay story, but one of pedophilia. If you want to see a really good story in the same vein but better executed and much more entertaining, see Wilde.

Yes   |   No


Nancy F.

boring, thin plot, be sure to multitask while you watch it.

Yes   |   No


Gerald O.

This movie was insufferable. It does reflect the closeted attitudes of the early 70's. There is very little dialogue.

Yes   |   No


Martin K.

This movie was very dry and boring. Like other critics have indicated, not much dialog. Don't waste your time on this one (unless you're looking for scenes of Venice)-I couldn't even finish the movie.

Yes   |   No


George S.

There is no story. The viewer gets an idea of what is going on in the main character's mind, but the lack of dialogue, which is maybe 350 words for the whole movie, leaves the viewer guessing. The Travel agent, who the main character has a talk with, has the most lines in the movie, and he was not nominated for any awards that I know of. It is about three quarters of the way through the movie that we get an inkling of what is going through the main character's mind, and it isn't pretty. An older man's fascination for a young boy, who IS very pretty, makes the viewer feel very uncomfortable. The movie is a tragedy, but the bigger tragedy is that it was made at all. Save yourself 131 minutes of suffering. Jam Bamboo splinters between your finger nails. It will be less painful.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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Member Reviews
Read all (11)
 
Robert R.

This film exemplifies the term, "masterpiece." An older man on holiday suddenly finds mortality staring him in the face as he observes youth embodied, in its real, pure form; in an adolescent boy who (with family) is staying in the same hotel during a summer in Venice. It is not a gay story. The older man is happlessly drawn to the boy (representing his lost youth). The two never actually meet, but the man seems to feel youth now taunts him in his old age, as the boy innocently returns the man's gazes with long, almost knowing stares. It is like a slow death for the man. His ego is wrecked by the boy's beauty and youth like an afront to his own aging; his realization of what he has lost and will never have again. The film is richly embellished in symbolism. The sad music of Gustav Mahler sets off the story and the ageless Venice backdrop. This rare style of art film is nearly extinct. A magnificent film.

Yes   |   No

 
Anne S.

This film is based on Gustav Mahler's last days. The soundtrack draws from Mahler's stunning 2nd and 5th symphonies. Although the film is visually (art direction/film technology) dated, it is a time-less masterpiece. The story is slow and perhaps emotionally difficult to digest, but it allows for acting and soundtrack to take over and drive this film. This movie is not for everyone. If you like light-hearted shallow happy ending type films, you will HATE this one. If on the other hand you like to be challenged, enjoy the unusual, and can LISTNE and understand sound, you will love this movie.

Yes   |   No

 
Donald K.

Minimalist dialogue. The story is told through gestures, looks, camera techniques. The story slows down when there are sections of Mann's story that reflect his philosophy. Other than that the story is better than reading the book.

Yes   |   No

 
Read All 11 Reviews
 

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