thomas mann controversial novel be the basis for the film a death in venice . although in the book and the hero be an author and in the film the director luchino visconti who also write the screenplay and transform him into a composer . a such and the author or composer and gustav von aschebach ( dirk bogarde ) on the verge of mental exhaustion be a burn out artisan . after a long and successful career now seek the peace and tranquility of a less hectic life . he decide to go on vacation to venice where he hop to rejuvenate his dwindle ambition . however and while stay at the picturesque seaside resort and he capture the attention of a beautiful young teenage boy and tadzio ( björn andrésen ) who eye him with curious interest and be immediately smite by him . although gustav be captivate by the wondrous youth and he nevertheless must find some private time away from the boy governess ( nora ricci ) and while have to cope with a invading plague which seem to have infest the city . the movie dialog and like the novel remain subtle a be the few brief encounter between the boy and the artist . in the end . the audience unlike the book be hamper with innuendo and imaginative flight of fancy . their affair be never give wing and substance or opportunity and be it not for the brief resolution in the book and the film allow only the possibility of what if . nevertheless and one can sympathize with the hero and wish him a moment peace to obtain that which be forbidden and elusive but definitely criticize by pry eye . great story and a bogarde classic . .