Death in Venice (Visconti, 1971)
½
An art film, with beautiful cinematography, costumes, sets, along with symphonic music by Mahler, I thought it was an artistic treat.
Dirk Bogarde, an actor whose work I enjoy, stars as a composer on vacation due to stress. He has nothing but time on his hands, and the film is a dreamy treatise on beauty - Bogarde's character's pursuit of beauty in Venice. Visconti uses Venice's stunning architecture, waterways, an extravagent hotel, and lifestyle of the rich as a fitting background. The plot, of which there isn't a whole lot, becomes secondary to mood and atmosphere.
With its glacial pace, may not be everyone's cup of tea, I was in the right mood I guess to really enjoy it.
Visconti Seen/Rated
1. La Terra Trema
2. Death in Venice
3. Rocco and His Brothers
4. Ossessione
5. Ludwig