Corrupt banker involved in the Vatican money laundering scheme.
Wehrmacht Lieutenant who engages in a transactional relationship with French woman Danielle. Assigned to oversee a massive train-mounted cannon in France, he narrowly escapes a commando raid led by John Foster. Later reassigned to Tunisia, he reunites with Roland and leads German sentries during the Allied offensive, resulting in a pinned-down foxhole standoff before the tank breakthrough.
The 18-year-old King of Bavaria and the film's central figure, Ludwig passionately supports the arts, especially Richard Wagner, while increasingly rejecting politics and public life. His failed relationships, homosexuality, extravagant building projects, debts, and eventual confinement reveal his growing isolation, depression, and loss of sovereignty.
Protagonist of the film. A young, beautiful man who makes a Faustian bargain that causes his portrait to age and record his sins while he remains eternally youthful. Influenced by Henry Wotton, he descends into a life of hedonism, promiscuity, and criminal acts, including murdering Basil Hallward. After a period of infamy as an adult entertainment star, guilt and despair lead him to stab himself, causing his body to rapidly age while the portrait returns to its original youthful state.
The grandson who inherits the steelworks. He is sexually abusive, easily manipulated by Sophie and Aschenbach, and later radicalized by Nazi ideology. He ultimately murders his mother and Frederick to seize absolute control of the family empire.
The countess's much younger, provocative lover with a past as a gigolo and 1968 leftist radical turned drug user. He forms a close bond with the professor after being beaten for gambling debts. His political espionage past surfaces at dinner, leading to his death in a gas explosion under ambiguous circumstances.
An older incarnation of Yves Saint Laurent shown after the main period of his career. In old age, he lives in opulent Paris apartments surrounded by fine art and expensive fetishist possessions, including exotic leopard skins and other wildlife, before dying as one of the twentieth century’s accomplished Paris fashion designers.
Famed plastic surgeon targeted by revenge, later revealed to be a serial kidnapper.
A young pianist dating Sarah Marchi. He is revealed as the killer of the two recent park murders, though he initially claims responsibility only for the last two. He was also Françoise Pigaut's lover and discovered Alessandro Marchi killed her. Giorgio ultimately murders Marchi in vengeance and dies from his wounds, satisfied with his plan.
Nanni Vitali is the dangerous criminal at the center of the story. After escaping prison, he leads violent robberies, targets Giuliana, and repeatedly clashes with Commissioner Santini. He seeks revenge against those who helped bring about his arrest and ultimately kidnaps Carla and Santini's Father before being defeated in a physical fight and arrested.
A charming but deceitful conman, petty thief, and drug courier posing as a poet. He pursues Elizabeth to England, becomes Lewis's secretary, and engages in an affair with her. Hunted by gangsters for a lost drug shipment, he is ultimately captured and presumably executed.
Known in Ronnie's building under the false name Shrager, this elderly man is identified by Joseph as the Nazi SS commander who slaughtered Joseph's entire family during World War II. Joseph believes he has escaped the prospect of a trial, prompting Joseph and Ronnie to set out to kill him.
Helmut Berger has 74 screen credits in a career dating back to 1967. Their work spans 3 cinematic universes — most prominently The Godfather with 1 titles. Signature works include The Biggest Battle, Salon Kitty, Ludwig. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.
Universe traveler — spans 3 universes
Related entry on Wikidata (Q78561), public domain (CC0).
