It is a wonderful and evocative film, that would probably be difficult to get funding for today, similar to Lolita in that respect IMO.

Although Venice is in the midst of a cholera epidemic, combined with Mahler's music and Bogarde's view of the city, its beauty is indeed melancholic and immense. How different today with its hordes of Chinese and Russian tourists. It still looks an enchanted place by boat though and many of the restaurants have a refinement and splendour that appears from a different, more noble age. The only problem is that it comes at a price premium!