The Sound of Music

Movie Review: The Sound of Music

Year of Release: 1965
Country of Origin: USA
Director: Robert Wise
Cast: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood

Plot outline: Maria had longed to be a nun since she was a young girl, yet when she became old enough discovered that it wasn't at all what she thought. Often in trouble and doing the wrong things, Maria is sent to the house of a retired, widowed naval captain, named Von Trapp, to care for his seven rowdy children (IMDb).

Based on the memoir of nun-turned-baroness Maria Augusta von Trapp, "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers", The Sound of Music is the greatest musical of all time and sadly Hollywood's last great musical. Every aspect in this movie is a triumph. I sometimes believe that Julie Andrews' presence in the movie is divinely prearranged, because she is so perfect as young and disobedient Maria - I could never imagine other actresses play this part. Her charm is so magical and her voice is so unique. This is definitely the defining moment of Ms. Andrews' career. Since then I can only think of her as Maria (!) ... her role is even bigger than herself. Christopher Plummer is also perfect as regal and handsome Captain Von Trapp. His performance as a complex and sophisticated man with a sly dose of sarcasm is wonderful. It's an absolute delight to watch a real romance - one where I can watch the characters slowly fall in love - how his steely, stern persona is gradually and eventually melted down by the irrepressible Maria. But it is Eleanor Parker who almost steals the show as catty and glamorous Baroness Elsa Schraeder. She got all the best lines, e.g. (to Maria) "If you have any problems, I'll be happy to help you," (to Max) "Why didn't you tell me ... to bring along my harmonica," (to Maria) "Good bye, Maria. I'm sure you'll make a very fine nun," or (to Captain Von Trapp) "Somewhere out there is a lady who I think will never be a nun. Auf Wiedersehen, darling." The Austrian Alps are breathtaking - the opening scene is probably the most beautiful aerial shot in all of movie history, while the closing scene takes you higher than the clouds. The cinematography is beautiful. The art and set decoration is stunning. The costume design is lovely. The musical scores and the songs are unforgettable (!): "Maria", "Sixteen Going on Seventeen", "My Favorite Things", "Do-Re-Mi", "The Lonely Goatherd", "So Long, Farewell", "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" and who can forget "Edelweiss" (director Robert Wise cleverly captures the scene where Maria watches the Captain sing the song with the children and falls in love with him ... but, for me the most romantic scene is when Maria and the Captain dance a ländler, an Austrian folk dance). The Sound of Music is a timeless masterpiece which keeps bringing generations of viewers to its attention. It got ten Academy Awards nominations and won five: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Music, Best Editing and Best Sound. It's one of my personal favourites.

My judgement: **** out of 4 stars