VHS : The Sound Of Music [1965]

Rating: - How musicals should be
If "West Side Story" was the best musical film of the sixties, then "The Sound of Music," adapted from the long-running Broadway musical play about Maria Von Trapp and her singing family, was certainly the most popular...

With a story that includes the right amount of family sentiment (the Von Trapp children never quarrel among themselves), religion (in the Hollywood tradition of serene, kind nuns), romance (actually two romances, one adult, one adolescent), and anti-Nazi feeling (Captain Von Trapp refuses to surrender to the Nazi invaders)--and with director Robert Wise who is in fact a solid, conscientious craftsman and a fluent story-teller mercifully free of grandiose pretensions, "The Sound of Music" is perfect with its sumptuous location photography, immaculate, fluid editing, and splendid tones...

The film does have a justifiably famous opening: the camera sweeps over the Austrian Alps to catch Julie Andrews, as mischievous, warmhearted Maria, exultantly singing the title song as she rushes through the bright green valley... It is an exhilarating moment that the film never really matches again, but there is plenty left in the remaining hours to please the legions of devotees...

There are unquestionably some enjoyable songs and musical numbers specially when the eldest Von Trapp daughter (Charmian Carr) meets her shy beau (Daniel Truhitte) in the family garden, he sings "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" to her, and they do a charming little dance around the gazebo... Maria's music lesson to the children, "Do-Re-Mi," is beautifully staged, set over several days as they amble in and around Salzburg, changing their clothing through camera wizardry... And perhaps the best of the songs is the simplest, "Edelweiss," with a tender lyric and poignant melody that make a fitting last song for Rodgers and Hammerstein...

Another of the film's virtues is Julie Andrew's performance as Maria... She cuts through the thick sentiment with her own sharply honed blade of authority and self-confidence, implying that at least she will get through all the high corn without damaging her self-esteem... It works to balance the tight-lipped stodginess of Christopher Plummer as Captain Von Trapp, the "adorable" posturings of the children, and the artificial airs of Eleanor Parker as the haughty baroness...

---

Rating: - The Greatest Musical of All Time - Ever!
The Sound Of Music is my favourite musical ever. The film centres on the true story of the Trapp Family Singers, who are forced to flee their Native Austrian Homeland to escape the evil reign of Hitlers Third Riech.

The film begins with a majestic alpine lanscape of the distance mountains, and the views of Austria throughout are breathtaking. Julie Andrews is wonderful in the role of Maria, as is her counterpart Christopher Plummer as the arrogent and Proud Captain Von Trap. Maria is a spirited young Austrian nun whose constant rule breaking gets her thrown out of the abbey to be a governess to 7 mischevious children. However, her warmth and kindness soon wins over not only the children but their father the stern and forebidding Captain (baron) Von Trapp who breaks off his engagement to marry the singing nun!

The Sound Of Music is not only a thrilling, action packed, heartwarming film, but it has also turned out some of the most famous and enduring tunes in the world (I doubt there is one person in Britain who does not know the words to Do Re Me!) If you've had a bad day, put your feet up, stick this film on, and by the end all your cares will be swept away and you'll be singing along with the family. Now, where is the nearest mountain....?

---

Rating: - Beautiful film for all the family
'The Sound of Music' is a classic musical for all the family. Starring Julie Andrews as Maria, a spirited young nun who leaves the abbey to go and governess for Captain Von Trapp's seven children at the start of World War 2.
Widower Captain Von Trapp treats his family like the crew on one of his naval ships, so Maria decides to liven up the seven bored children by taking them to all these different parts of Austria and teaching them to sing.
But as time goes by, Maria realises that she is starting to fall in love with Captain Von Trapp, who is engaged to be married to a wealthy, beautiful woman named Baroness Ella Schraeder.
A touching classic for all the family.

---

Rating: - Surreal and awe inspiring
This film's got it all - singing nuns, evil Nazis, lederhosen plus Julie Andrews at her most sexiest. Who could ask for anything more ???

---

Rating: - The hills ARE alive
I grew up with this film, so it was inevitable that I would buy it on DVD, and it doesn't dissapoint. The picture quality is superb, the sound even better, and you can always make your own kareoke version by putting the subtitles on!

I never knew that there was an intermission in the film - with all the advert breaks on the tv version I suppose you wouldn't have to, but the DVD includes this, and extended scenes of the Austrian scenery, making you believe that you are truly there, with the VonTrap family as they fight off repression from the Nazi's.

If like me you watched this film as a child, I suggest you get the DVD, not only will it bring back memories of singing in front of the tele regardless of who was there, but it will also recreate the magic that is somewhat lacking from films today. A classic of all time.