Morte a Venezia
(Death in Venice)

Italy (1971): Drama

This visual smorgasbord was based on an all-but-unfilmable novel by Thomas Mann. Dirk Bogarde stars 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 (Björn Andrésen). 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. Rather than continue living in a world where perfection is impossible, Bogarde quietly expires while relaxing on the beach. The character played by Dirk Bogarde is evidently intended to be Gustav Mahler, whose haunting music on the soundtrack is the crowning glory to this remarkable (but not always easily accessible) film. Luchino Visconti directs a cast that also features Mark Burns, Marisa Berenson and Silvana Mangano. (Alfa/Warner Bros.) (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)

 View the theatrical trailer for this film on YouTube.com.

1 nomination