A 50-year-old American infantry colonel with a severe heart condition. A veteran of both World Wars, he carries the physical and psychological scars of combat, facing his physical decline with a fierce desire for dignity and control. He holds a deep affection for Venice and its people, seeking to spend what may be his final days surrounded by the city's beauty and his young lover.

An 18-year-old aristocratic Venetian woman whose family history is deeply intertwined with the city itself. Despite her wealth and privilege, she carries the trauma of the recent war, which cost her father his life and destroyed her family's villa. She is devoted to the Colonel, eagerly asking for his war stories in an attempt to understand the forces that shaped her world.

A young American soldier who serves as the Colonel's driver. Inexperienced and unfamiliar with Italy, he provides a sharp contrast to the Colonel's deep historical and cultural knowledge. He tries his best to respectfully follow orders and handle his commanding officer's unpredictable moods.

The head waiter at the luxurious Gritti Hotel in Venice. As a fellow veteran who fought during World War I, he shares a profound, unspoken bond with the Colonel. Together, they have founded a satirical, mock-chivalric organization called the Order to mock empty heroics and war profiteers.

A wealthy Venetian aristocrat who organizes elite duck hunting events in the lagoon. He represents the traditional, male-dominated high society of Venice and acts as a social gatekeeper for local customs.

A local Venetian worker hired to row the Colonel during the duck hunt. He is noticeably surly and uncooperative because he harbors a deep resentment toward the Allied military over brutal wartime suffering inflicted upon his family.

An army medical officer tasked with evaluating the Colonel's fitness for duty. He warns the Colonel about his excessive use of heart medication but ultimately passes him on the physical exam.

An old friend of the Colonel's who frequents Harry's Bar. He exchanges exaggerated, performative compliments with the Colonel and directs him to his usual table to meet Renata.

A thoughtful waiter at the Gritti Hotel who purchases alcohol outside the hotel for the Colonel to save him money. He is highly grateful to the Colonel for previously gifting his family with fresh ducks.

A highly ambitious journalist whom the Colonel was previously married to. She capitalized on his military stories for her own career advancement, leaving him feeling used, resentful, and unwilling to share his secrets again.