The boy on whom Tadzio was based, Wladyslaw Gerard Jan Nepomuk Marya Moes, was only 10 in May 1911.
Sir Dirk Bogarde based his appearance on that of the distinguished composer and conductor Gustav Mahler, whose Fifth and Third Symphonies were adapted as background music for this movie. In Bogarde's autobiography "Snakes and Ladders," it is stated that originally Luchino Visconti wanted Dirk to wear a false nose to make him look more like Mahler. This proved to be impossible to wear, as it kept falling off and prevented him from making normal facial movements. It was then decided he should wear a moustache and pince-nez glasses, so he ended up looking more like Thomas Mann than Gustav Mahler.
Because of Morte em Veneza (1971) (Death in Venice)'s success, one of the big salons in the Grand Hôtel des Bains was later named "Sala Visconti." The hotel is now closed and in bad shape.