Death in Venice (1971)

[TravisTylerBlack]

It’s very watchable. Nowhwhere near as bad as what they did to the 1st and 3rd films in the “Dollars” trilogy or the recent restoration of “The Nun” - but it still bears that signature yellow tint ritrovata is known for, albeit in a more restrained capacity.

[DVD Phreak]

I hadn't seen the film in a long time, and within seconds of seeing the Criterion disc I noticed the yellow shift. It affects the lighter colors such as white more. In the darker scenes, the yellow is less noticeable. This is, on the whole, a dark-looking film (I had to turn up brightness a bit), so it is not a big loss. And it is better to have yellow shift than aqua shift.

As long as the original source is analog, these things will continue. This is part of converting analog to digital. If the original source is digital, all the necessary color space, temperature, etc., are already inherent in the source, thus immune from the whims of a color grader.

[iamnoone]

The yellow push on this remaster really irritated me to the point I will
probably just sell the disc off as I don't think I could ever watch it this way again. It's just so ugly. After watching the trailer on the disc, which has the natural colors, it makes it all the more infuriating. (And I know, you can't base correct color timing on a trailer, but the film has never looked this yellow before).

I sold off my Warner DVD in anticipation of this? I think I'd prefer that presentation over Criterion's Blu, even with its lesser resolution and contrast
boosting.

[jrsl76]

If anyone is looking to sell for around Criterion sale price, please shoot me a message.

[PowellPressburger]

Might as well throw in my opinion so far...

Picked up a copy ag Barnes & Noble with membership plus an additional 15% off coupon and got it for about 22.00

First off my tv is calibrated so that yellow push never looks as yellow as most screen shots as I see.

As of being 30 mins into the film with indoor and outdoor shots white clothing looks white.. some indoor shots some walls are clearly and off white towards yellowed look but passersby in white clothing again looks white.

I am sure everyone’s tvs will be different but maybe for those who do notice more of a yellow push if you tv has a setting between Cool Normal Warm ... try normal for viewing instead of warm. This could help.

The transfer for sure has more detail than the old DVD.

Obviously until someone points out any other issues I may not notice.

On the plus side it opens with the WB Kinney Leisure Company opening logo.

[John Earls Umbrella]

Still no review for this release on this site. Instead the focus has definitely swung towards reviewing new releases. A shame.

[iamnoone]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I am sure everyone’s tvs will be different but maybe for those who do notice more of a yellow push if you tv has a setting between Cool Normal Warm ... try normal for viewing instead of warm. This could help.

My tv was set on "Normal" and the film looked very yellow, but I switched it to Cool and it took away a LOT of the yellow and at least it is now watchable. There was no "Warm" setting on my set. Thank you for the great suggestion.

[malakaheso]

Holy s&%t, you guys weren't kidding about the blacks!

The grain looks 'noisy' too, for a lack of a better term.

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by DVD Phreak

I hadn't seen the film in a long time, and within seconds of seeing the Criterion disc I noticed the yellow shift. It affects the lighter colors such as white more. In the darker scenes, the yellow is less noticeable. This is, on the whole, a dark-looking film (I had to turn up brightness a bit), so it is not a big loss. And it is better to have yellow shift than aqua shift.

As long as the original source is analog, these things will continue. This is part of converting analog to digital. If the original source is digital, all the necessary color space, temperature, etc., are already inherent in the source, thus immune from the whims of a color grader.

But what's the purpose behind a yellow or green tint? Is it because it makes the transfer and conversion process easier and therefore less costly?

[DVD Phreak]

Originally Posted by malakaheso

But what's the purpose behind a yellow or green tint? Is it because it makes the transfer and conversion process easier and therefore less costly?

It's just the whims of the technicians involved. If the same persons who cause aqua tint think it is normal, the aqua tint will show up in their other works too. With other technicians, it may be yellow tint, blue tint, pink tint, etc. They do it because they think it is normal and "right," and may not even realize the color imbalance is there.

All eyeballs are different and see things differently. The red apple you see in front of you may be just a tad less red or more red when seen by another set of eyeballs. No eyeballs are identical, and the chemical reaction that occurs when light shines on your retina may result in totally different colors from one eyeball to another. Cover up your left eye, then your right, and you will see subtle differences of what your two eyeballs see. NO ONE KNOWS exactly what anything looks like. All you see is the result of your retina processing light entering your eye, which is different in everyone.

[Jexes23]

[Lutz]

Originally Posted by John Earls Umbrella

Still no review for this release on this site. Instead the focus has definitely swung towards reviewing new releases. A shame.

Doesn’t this site have a policy against publishing critical reviews of Criterions? So if there’s a problem with the disc they just don’t review it at all? There was no review for MURIEL either and that disc had the same colour timing issue.

[yellowcakeuf6]

"A compelling exploration of homosexuality and morality", and "A contemplative exploration of homosexuality" are two quotes from the new Blu-ray.com review, while those subjects are hard to ignore, I always saw this film as more about the nature of beauty, and obsession. Since Aschenbach never acts on his obsession, how could one fully say this is an exploration of homosexuality?

[Pinot Grigio]

Originally Posted by yellowcakeuf6

"A compelling exploration of homosexuality and morality", and "A contemplative exploration of homosexuality" are two quotes from the new Blu-ray.com review, while those subjects are hard to ignore, I always saw this film as more about the nature of beauty, and obsession. Since Aschenbach never acts on his obsession, how could one fully say this is an exploration of homosexuality?

Yup! Those quotes sound like they completely misunderstood the purpose. I loved the film but I would never list it in a recommendation of gay cinema. The child is symbolic of the older man's younger self.

Also, am I the only one who thought the yellow tint was distinct and beautiful?

[rip63]

Originally Posted by yellowcakeuf6

"A compelling exploration of homosexuality and morality", and "A contemplative exploration of homosexuality" are two quotes from the new Blu-ray.com review, while those subjects are hard to ignore, I always saw this film as more about the nature of beauty, and obsession. Since Aschenbach never acts on his obsession, how could one fully say this is an exploration of homosexuality?

Indeed. I was very disappointed when I read this in the review here. With no offence intended toward the reviewer, that came off as an inability to see beyond surface levels, therefore missing the point entirely. Now I think of it, even bits of the dialogue indicate the true nature of its theme/s... I guess it will forever remain a film that divides.

[Lutz]

Originally Posted by yellowcakeuf6

"A compelling exploration of homosexuality and morality", and "A contemplative exploration of homosexuality" are two quotes from the new Blu-ray.com review, while those subjects are hard to ignore, I always saw this film as more about the nature of beauty, and obsession. Since Aschenbach never acts on his obsession, how could one fully say this is an exploration of homosexuality?

Because even in 1971 being a “closet queen” was still a very real reality for gays.

And especially when you combine Thomas Mann and Dirk Bogarde’s long struggle with the closet and Visconti being a huge queen the gay lineage here, with what it’s doing figuratively and narratively and as a meta narrative, is through the roof.

[yellowcakeuf6]

Originally Posted by Lutz

Because even in 1971 being a “closet queen” was still a very real reality for gays.

And especially when you combine Thomas Mann and Dirk Bogarde’s long struggle with the closet and Visconti being a huge queen the gay lineage here, with what it’s doing figuratively and narratively and as a meta narrative, is through the roof.

Though the time in which the film was made has to be considered, I didn't indicate it was devoid of the subject, I still think it is much less an exploration, I.e. thorough analysis..

[dancerslegs]

The sensibilities behind the film are as queer as the day is long--I mean Mann + Visconti + Bogarde, for heavens sake. The central character's longing for Tadzio is bonafide pedo, though, which is a different thing entirely.

[Lutz]

Originally Posted by yellowcakeuf6

Though the time in which the film was made has to be considered, I didn't indicate it was devoid of the subject, I still think it is much less an exploration, I.e. thorough analysis..

But the exploration of beauty and obsession is entirely through a homosexual lens. It has no gravitas and no meaning without it.

Originally Posted by dancerslegs

The central character's longing for Tadzio is bonafide pedo, though, which is a different thing entirely.

You might also want to reflect on the idea that the age of consent in Italy is 14 and what that might mean in how they regard sex in their culture vs the USA.

[yellowcakeuf6]

Originally Posted by Lutz

But the exploration of beauty and obsession is entirely through a homosexual lens. It has no gravitas and no meaning without it.

I think we are trifling over details, because though Aschenbach seemed a happy husband and father, you can cut the repression with a knife. He espouses truth and beauty in his work with strict guidelines, but falls to pieces when he actually stumbles upon it in the flesh. That, for me, is the key.