Death In Venice (1971) [The Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

I think the first reviewer might be missing the point a bit. Perhaps the story could be considered a little ponderous and will not be every one's cup of tea but it is a classic Thomas Mann novella and is widely accepted to be one of Visconti's finest films. It is beautifully shot and Mahler's music is sublime. I would suggest a repeat viewing is required to fully appreciate all the fine nuances here in both direction and the remarkable central character portrayal. This film is all about understatement and Dirk Bogarde's subtle performance is mesmerising.

Those who know Death in Venice will enjoy this cleaned up and mostly sharpened restoration. It's lovely. The extras are excellent and include Visconti traipsing around schools looking for his Tadzio. I did laugh imagining his trying to do that now in 2021. Its absolutely electric when in walks Bjorn Andressen and everyone just knows his protégé has landed! I haven't regretted this purchase for one second. If you catch the Bjorn Andressen documentary The Most Beautiful Boy in the World (and if you're a fan of Death in Venice; you absolutely must do), you'll see a foreshortened version of the hunt for Tadzio too. Andressen is such a magnificent presence even today. He was also the Old Man (Village Elder) in Midsommar and I did not know that until very recently.

I bought this title as a DVD many years ago and, much as I love the film and Bogarde’s acting, the excruciatingly wavering pitch of the music soundtrack made watching it a painful experience. The BlueRay version has a cleaned up soundtrack, which is less muddy and pitch-secure. The cinematography, after years of familiarity with the muted colours of the DVD, seems at first almost garish but it is easily got used to. The clarity of the remastering reveals Björn Andresen and Silvana Mangano to be every bit as wooden as I remember, though it does favour Bogarde’s nuanced performance.One star withheld as the music soundtrack stutters occasionally. All in all a good buy and a vast improvement over the DVD.

A wonderful film. That’s why I wanted to replace my old DVD with this new Blu-ray, restored by the legendary Criterion Collection. Don’t take my word for it, but I was deeply disappointed with the graininess/noise of the picture and rather shrill soundtrack.

Great acting, great make-up, but a clunky script, and a daft attempt at portraying closeted homosexual love. Overblown and melodramatic, and almost unwatchable in its preciosity. What a disaster. Great transfer as always from Criterion

Anatole’s inital review is quite the silliest review ever written.The script adapted from Mann is an excellent distillation.The ‘daft attempt’ was not at portraying closeted homosexual love, except in the most naive understanding, but about the conflict between rationality and emotion, age and youth, reputation and passion.True, the emotion is sometimes a little clunky, but the fusion of image and emotion, mind and situation, location and fate, is masterly, as ever in Visconti.You may not like it, not understand it, and Anatole’s review will certainly offer a truth to people like him, but millions respect and like this film for reasons he either will not or cannot understand.So though Anatole’s is an honest review, that will resonate with others who will feel the same way, don’t let him dissuade you from seeing a master of film’s response to a master of literature’s writing.For me, the use of Mahler, though appropriate in many ways, tends in the more effulgence moments to overwhelm rather than Han illuminate, but that is a quibble.Bogart is as sensitive and subtle as ever.

Absolutely brilliant film, 'noire'. Disturbing and shocking, at the same time. Classic music to add. Be prepared.....Enjoy

Criterion's excellency is well known among aficionados. They topped themselves with this gorgeous restoration. Like watching the movie for the very first time. Deep bright colours, great contrast, very sharp and detailed image that reveals things I had never seen. Yes, it's typical seventies, but it's Visconti, so it is way much deeper than it looks. One of the very greatest serene reflections on the beauty and fugacity of life in the history of cinema. I will certainly enjoy it many more times in this magnificent restoration. For those that think this is just about closeted homosexuality: forget it, watch something else, this is not for you.