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The Sound of Music (Single Disc Widescreen Edition)

The Sound of Music (Single Disc Widescreen Edition)

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $14.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I love this movie!
Review: I never tire of this movie! I was delighted when I heard that this beloved classic would be released on DVD in widescreen and Dolby Digital and with THX certification to boot!

This movie has always been a favorite of my family and I was delighted to see it for the first time in widescreen never having seen the movie in a theater. The grandeur of the scenery can be enjoyed much more fully in this format. Every song is a classic that you'll love to hear again and again. The picture and sound quality is so superb, you won't believe it was released 35 years ago. The bonus disc with a making of documentary, musical outtakes and other goodies is a welcome bonus especially considering the low price!

For the price of a single DVD, why not own The Sound of Music and a bonus DVD for your family to enjoy for years to come? You won't want to see it full-screen with marginal sound once you've been spoiled by this wonderful set.

Highly recommended! Buy it today!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Sensational Sound of Music on DVD
Review: Although this picture has had numerous home video releases over the years from tape to laserdisc, this new DVD version is easily the best to date, offering a crisp, clear, pristine wide screen transfer that looks like it was filmed only hours ago, along with an excellent surround sound mix that is far superior to any previous release, 70mm six track theatrical prints included. The supplemental disc offers documentaries and enough extras to satisfy any Sound of Music junkie.

The feature disc offers an audio commentary by director Robert Wise that is quite interesting and informative, but repeats much of the same information included in the documentary. Parts of it seem a bit rushed, perhaps because he doesn't speak over any of the musical sequences, which are presented without vocals to highlight the orchestral arrangements and allow one the opportunity to sing along. Wise points out where songs that were deleted or moved would have gone as compared to the original stage show, and one can see how such changes made the film adaptation superior. He also explains the technical aspects of shooting on location and how location shots were seamlessly matched with footage shot back in L.A. on stages. There were also a couple of scenes that were shot but later cut--it makes you wish they had included these outtakes on the supplemental disc of extras. There are some gaps in the commentary where only the movie plays--leaving you a bit hungry for more interesting anecdotes from Mr. Wise, but after over 35 years I guess his memory is as good as can be expected.

The French audio track is fun--How strange to hear the familiar songs in French--not an easy task to translate a song like Do Re Mi which seems it wouldn't make sense in any language other than English. They did an excellent dubbing job--the voices are quite similar to the original actors' voices, and the woman dubbing for Julie Andrews holds her own.

The 35 minute audio spot by screenwriter Ernest Lehman is extremely interesting, giving you a taste of what went on behind the scenes in the development of the production, from William Wyler's indifference to the film he agreed to direct despite hating the Broadway show, and prospective director Gene Kelly kicking Mr. Lehman out of his house and telling him to "shove" his screenplay.

Actor Dan Truhitte also provides an "audio telegram" detailing his experience winning the part of Rolf and some personal anecdotes. But all we hear is his voice--a still picture of his present-day self would have been a nice touch.

We also get some sound bytes of old radio interviews that are typical PR fluff but still an interesting time capsule. The video of theatrical trailers and TV spots is interesting but repetitive. They are almost all the same, with only subtle changes. For those interested in the location there is even a brief but detailed written history of Salzburg.

All in all, this has to rate as one of the best and most complete DVDs ever released (despite those missing outtakes!) Fox did a terrific job, and should be commended for NOT offering the inferior pan and scan version of the picture usually shown on TV. This is one of those wide screen masterpieces that lose a lot when the original aspect ratio is altered. A must for all film collectors and Sound of Music fanatics alike.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Filmmaking at its best
Review: What makes a great film? Casting, direction, cinematograhy, art direction, editing, music. This film has the best of everything. It is irellevant what one thinks of the story. This is a film that can be viewed hundreds of times and be in awe of its masterful elements. The attention to detail is astounding. For example, the minute the film starts with the Twentieth Century Fox logo, there is no fanfare in order to create the proper atmosphere. All the actors including the children are perfectly cast. Every frame of the film is crafted brilliantly. Considering the location filming in Salzburg was plagued by rain, it certainly is not evident in the finished product. As far as Fox's DVD release is concerned, it certainly surpasses the previous DVD releases of the other R&H musicals, but the sound still could have been mixed better. The picture quality is magnificent and thank God they gave us the ANAMORPHIC wide screen format.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: simply excellent
Review: i'm not going to write about the movie itself, most everyone has seen it and loved it. i must say though that this DVD version is excellent! by far the best DVD i own, (granted i don't own many at this time, but that's to change). the extras are well worth any price to own.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A DVD well worth the wait
Review: What a nice job Fox has done with it's DVD release of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. There are enough extras to keep you busy for days and the film looks and sounds great. I also enjoy being able to switch over to the commentary track to hear director Robert Wise's thoughts, and to hear the music performed without vocals or foley tracks.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not So Good !
Review: The Sound of Music (TSOM) WAS a very good movie. But TSOM on DVD is not good thing. Because its "picture quality" is not good. It is worse than the same title on LD. I'm very disappointed.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Picture yellows intermittantly
Review: Like everyone else I love this movie. The sound is great and the picture is, for the most part, great(fading and running colors are to be expected from a film that over 30 years old). However I am very curous to know if the yellowing that fades in and out throughout the film is a flaw with MY DVD or is present on ALL the DVDs. For those of you who have also noticed this could you please click YES for found this review helpful. For those of you who do not see this yellowing effect please click NO.

Thanks for your help.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the best film in history
Review: The Sound Of Music is one of the best musical dramas ever. Julie Andrews as Maria is an extremely lovable character. The story is perfect and the musics are memorable(not to mention the characters). And even though it has aged considerably, it has never loose it's impact and still manage to be warm and touching. There was never a single dull moment in the film. It truly deserves the Academy Award for Best Picture. The picture quality on DVD is so effectively remastered, you can be fooled into thinking it was filmed last year. As for the sound, the Dolby Digital soundtrack is incredible especially for a film of this age. The making of documentary covers the subject of the film and the real-life Maria with perfect detail. And thanks to the isolated score i dont even need to get the soundtrack at all. If you browse the disc carefully, you will find a lot of rare materials inside. What more can i say? A near-perfect film on a near-perfect DVD. A MUST-HAVE!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What is it About Governesses?
Review: My husband, a man who claims to be deeply unsentimental, adores this movie. I just think the movie's great. I also think the film is beautifully shameless in its manipulations: all that gorgeous scenery, the rousing soundtrack, great lyrics, Julie Andrews' voice, children climbing trees, nuns with hearts of gold, Nazi's that aren't quite on the ball, and who are hated by all the Austrians (be sure to put away your history books).

And, oh, the delicious governess issue. Maria (Julie Andrews) takes a break from the convent (she hasn't taken final vows) to try the world outside -- as a governess to seven children. The Baron she serves falls in love with her. Natch! The shades of Jane Eyre, and innumerable other literary and filmic ghosts. hover over the video. The formula just plain works -- and I screen my child-care providers carefully. The Von Trapp marriage (a nice one, but sex is kept tightly under wraps -- after all, he's a control freak and she's practically a nun) makes for a great Cathedral scene. Then the plot, well, thickens. The evil Nazis threaten to ruin everything. The Von Trapps head for the mountains to a new life (with a brief heart-stopping stay at the convent before-hand). They look absolutely great as they tromp through the mountains. Curtain!

And silly as some of it is, I always reach for the tissues. Go ahead. Wallow in this video. Live the fantasy (but remember it's a fantasy). Love the music. Love those singing nuns and hate those Nazis. Love the voice of Julie Andrews.

But be careful if you're in the market for a governess.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Sound of Music -- a gem,a marvel, a masterpiece.
Review: The Sound of Music blends all of the wonderful qualities of a great movie together into one splendid presentation. From Julie Andrews lovely voice soothes every fear and fills hearts with joy. The Sound of Music is beautifully scored, acted, directed, and filmed by the greatest artists in their field. The multitude of great acting talent, composed of Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, and more bring the story of a young lady who "will never be a nun" and falls in love for the first time with a retired navy captain, whose children she cares for, demonstrates what great acting ability can add to a masterpiece on celluloid. Although the movie is not entirely accurate in its depiction of the Von Trapp family that escaped from the Nazis, it enlightens its audience with wonderful melodies, voices and marvelously choreographed dances. If you enjoy a movie that is wholesome and entertaining, look no further than The Sound of Music.


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