Death in Venice is a 1971 drama about a composer who visits Venice during a cholera epidemic. Gustav von Aschenbach (Dirk Bogarde) has decided to travel to Venice because his health is failing. Shortly after he arrives, he becomes obsessed with the beauty of a young boy named Tadzio (Bjorn Andresen). Though von Aschenbach and his friends do not know it, a cholera epidemic is sweeping through Venice. Gradually, however, he and the friends with whom he is staying begin to realize that something very wrong is happening. Fearful, von Aschenbach decides that he should leave Venice, but changes his mind after seeing Tadzio again. What von Aschenbach doesn't realize is that he is already infected with cholera and is doomed. Impulsively, he visits a barber and asks to be made up to look young again. His hair dyed black and his skin covered in makeup, von Aschenbach pursues Tadzio. He eventually finds him at the beach being beaten up by an older boy. As his health continues to decline, von Aschenbach must determine whether he should intervene and actually speak to the boy for the first time.moreless