The Sound of Music (G)

A woman (played by Julie Andrews) leaves a convent to become a Governess to a Navel Officer’s seven mischievous children. The Navel officer, Georg Von Trapp is played by Christopher Plummer. “The Sound of Music” is from 1965 but is based in the time period of the 1930s in Austria during the Second World War.

Maria (Andrews) is failing at trying to become a nun when she is requested to become the governess to the children. The Captain is often away and runs his household like the ship he is captain of. He is very strict. The children are resentful and try to get Maria quit as they have all of the other Governesses. Maria changes their minds because she brings fun, joy, and happiness into their lives.

Music is brought back into the house, and we find that Plummer’s character is changing his “tune.” She and the Captain find they are falling in love as well.

There is a scene in the movie, which is a festival the German army says should still go on even though they are watching every move. They want Georg to join the navy for the Germans; he at first refuses, then finds out they will force him to go. The last scene finds the family crossing the mountains into Switzerland, as they attempt to escape. The movie is based on the real life family “The Von Trapps.”

The film is well done, and the cinematography of the landscapes is perfect. The songs fit the mood of the movie. We hear the songs “Do-Re-Mi,” and then a song during a party which was used later in the movie, “So Long, Farewell.” The youngest daughter is cute climbing each stair before being carried to bed by the older daughter. “Edelweiss” is sung by Plummer’s character (although it was discovered later that the voice was dubbed).

Watching this movie after all these years is still enjoyable. When you first hear the song, “The Hills are alive with the sound of music” – and the camera pans over the hills and then to Julie Andrews – it gives you a feeling of goosebumps. I enjoy watching the movie and listening to the songs every time. I have never gotten tired of seeing it. You can look for new experiences within the movie even after seeing it so many times. Each of the character portrayals is fun to watch.

– by Bob McBride

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Bob is an avid film lover and member of the podcast “Extra Features Podcast,” out of Toronto. He is a fan of animation films, and has a penchant for musicals. Look for more of Bob on The Movie Buff in the future!