True Classic Family Entertainment!

Rating: 9/10 (6 February 2002)

"The Sound of Music" is one of the best musicals ever filmed. It deservedly won the Best Picture Oscar for 1965 along with a number of other awards. Filmed largely on location in Austria, the scenery is simply breathtaking. Who can ever forget the beautiful opening sequence where the camera pans over the mountains before zooming in on star Julie Andrews singing the title song. And there's that unforgettable Rodgers and Hammerstein score.
The story line is simple. A novice nun Maria, (Andrews at the peak of her career) is sent to be governess for a family of seven children ranging in age from 5 to 16. The family is that of Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) a former naval hero. The story takes place during the 30s just prior to WWII. The Nazi influence is felt more or less as a background to the story until the final minutes of the movie.
The songs are plentiful and memorable. My favorite is the rendition of "Climb Every Mountain" sung by the Mother Superior (Peggy Wood). But there are so many memorable songs. Plummer tries his best with "Eidleweiss" but the best that can be said about that, is that as a singer, Plummer makes a great actor. Andrews was born to play Maria and gives a marvelous performance in the Role. Richard Haydn as Uncle Max and Eleanor Parker as the Baroness are also in the cast. The children who also give memorable performances are played by talented youngsters too many to mention here.
"The Sound of Music" has stood the test of time as evidenced by the recent release of a sing-a-long version to theaters. It is a true classic of family entertainment.