Death in Venice
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Movie Reviews of Death in Venice
Movie Review: A study in cinematic poise
Summary: 4 Stars
Visconti's film is significantly different from Mann's classic story. Aside from the obvious changes (Aschenbach being a composer instead of a writer, etc), there are many subtle touches that deepen the ambiguity of the character. For example: In the book, Aschenbach's wife is dead, and his daughter is grown up and married away. In the film, his daughter dies in childhood, and it is not clear whether his wife is alive or not when he visits Venice.
Another reviewer here called the film "ambient"; I would add the word "poised." The camera lingers on scenes for many minutes; observations occur in planes of depth. The acting is often extremely subtle. The young man who plays Tadzio looks as if he is sculpted of alabaster. Compositions, lighting, settings, costumes and makeup are simply exquisite. Imagine if this had been photographed in 65mm!
DEATH IN VENICE probably looks better here than it ever did in theaters. The DVD transfer is superb, based on what appears to be a spotless, pristine source. The wide Panavision aspect ratio is faithfully preserved, anamorphically enhanced for 16:9 TVs. Sadly, the original monaural soundtrack has not been remixed for stereo; but execept for some occasionally muffled dialog (which may be intentional), it still sounds very good.
The post-MTV generation will find this film tough going. Don't buy this if you're hoping to see police gondolas flip over and explode. :)
Movie Review: beauty vs emptiness
Summary: 4 Stars
Despite the visual beauty , the exquisite music and outstanding performance by Dirk Bogarde..I still found this movie missing something. At first I wasn't sure what it was until I watched it a second time and realized that there was little,if any warmth in this film.
The scenes in the hotel with the Countess feel 'staged' with the girls,in particular, sitting like dolls, barely showing any expression or reaction to conversations. The beach scenes,although it's summer have an oddly empty feel and look about them. I found it strange that a lady should be walking through what appears to be a rather dark and unsavory part of the city with her children... There is coolness everywhere..perhaps it's the light..perhaps it's the oh so leisurely visuals..but most of all, although the film is about love and obsession, I found little passion in it in the end. A very difficult role for Bogarde but he was extraordinary.
Movie Review: Visually stunning and faithful rendition
Summary: 4 Stars
Someone commented that the film was hilarious, and somehow shouldn't be. Guess those people never read the book, or any book by Thomas Mann, who is a great writer of caricature and humour. I personally think Bogarde nailed the part of the german intellectual who "has lived his life like a closed fist". With the exception of the flashbacks and the fact that Aschenbach should have been a writer, the film follows the book closely. I looked forward to seeing some of the comical highlights of the book, like the gypsy band, the annoying old makeup-wearing on the boat and my favourite: the visit to the hairdresser. Films are seldom as good as the books they are based upon, but I think this one is great as a supplement, as the spectacular setting can be difficult to visualize when reading, especially as it belongs to a long gone era.
The DVD I wathched had the italian soundtrack.
Movie Review: A Slow But Satisfying Story
Summary: 4 Stars
They don't make many movies like this anymore. The pace is very, very languid and the action is strictly limited. By utilizing this technique, the film gradually connects you with the point of view of the main character, played by Dirk Bogarde.
As he ever so slowly realizes that he is developing an attraction to a beautiful teenage boy, the audience understands what a revelation this awakening is. This man once had a wife and child back in Germany but now he is vacationing alone in decadent, decaying Venice and he is learning that his heart has a strange nature that is a surprise to him.
Is this a love story? Not really. It is a tale of uneasy self-discovery. Anyone who has ever found their life taking a very unexpected turn due to a very unexpected passion should be able to respond to the quite haunting imagery that illuminates "Death In Venice."
Movie Review: Death In Venice
Summary: 4 Stars
A very unique movie -- Dirk Bogarde was an extraordinary actor. Visconti was a very unusual director -- the movie was visually magnificent, but I did find the pace a little too slow even though I know that was the idea. It's an amazing story. Silvana Mangano was so beautiful and a wonderful actress.