Rating: 
Summary: Wanted to start singing along.......
Review: Robert Wise directs
Genre: Musical/Family Classic
Starring:
Julie Andrews .... Maria
Christopher Plummer .... Captain Georg von Trapp
Eleanor Parker (I) .... Baroness Elsa Schraeder
Richard Haydn .... Max Detweiler
Peggy Wood (I) .... Mother Abbess
Charmian Carr .... Liesl von Trapp
Daniel Truhitte .... Rolf GruberWhat review of this film would be complete without the requisite gushing praise for the opening sequence? It's justifiably famous, and gives an epic feel to a film that, at its heart, is a simple family story.
Director Robert Wise lives up to his surname...he wisely takes a very effective minimalist approach with the story. Where a lesser director would have 'pumped up' the song sequences with flashier camera moves, Wise lets the songs speak for themselves and instead concentrates on getting the texture and feel of the scenes just right. "The Sound of Music" is simply but beautifully shot.
Julie Andrews is a delight as the plucky Maria, who starts as an erstwhile nun, becomes a governess, and earns the affections of the children of the steely Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer, all poise and polish), not to mention the captain himself. The children are all properly cute and talented, and the supporting performances by Richard Haydn (the charming sponge Max Detweiler) and Eleanor Parker (Captain Von Trapp's would-be society fiancee) hit all the right notes.
If the film has a weakness, it's length; "The Sound of Music" weighs in at almost three hours, which is quite a stretch by today's standards. In the original theatrical version, there was an intermission, which was common practice for long films in those days.
There are also times that Wise plays it a bit too minimalistically, and the big finish should have more emotional punch than it does, but overall this film is an unqualified smash.
It's worth noting that at the time of its release, "The Sound of Music" was wildly popular; in fact, adjusted for inflation, it's the third highest grossing film in history, behind only "Star Wars" and "Gone With The Wind". Not bad company for this classic film. This all-time favorite won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Rating:
Summary: Not exactly MY favorite thing, but good notwithstanding
Review: For years I was mad at "The Sound of Music" sight unseen because it outsold "Gone with the Wind" in tickets; even as a child I disliked change. But when we went to see it in a re-release, I was very excited by it. Over the years, my opinon changes: Sometimes I think Julie is too buffoonish and old for her role, most lately I think Christopher Plummer just walked through the picture. But I recognize that these opinions are like fads--they come and go, and the picture remains, great as it is. Of course, one must start with the score. Rogers and Hammerstein outdid themselves on this one, which is good since it was the last collaboration before Oscar died. How tragic if he had gone out after "Pipeline" or some other less worthy musical! Second, comes the beautful scenery of Salzburg itself. You know, whoever got the idea of that original tracking shot, where we fly over the Alps and ultimately zoom in on Julie twirling around was a genius--from that moment on, the picture was a guaranteed hit. If you ever listen to Mary Martin sing the title song on the original Broadway cast version, she does a nice quiet job of it. Well, not for these folks, no way! They went blockbuster with it, and nobody else who ever sings that song can ever attempt to do less than Julie does so well. The other shots as the children go round with their new governess through the gardens of Mirabel are just lovely. I think the supporting cast is particularly good: Peggy Wood as Reverend Mother is outstanding, singing or not. Richard Haydn as Max never fails to amuse me, and even Eleanor Parker as the Baroness is like an older, blonde Ava Gardner--very smooth but if you look too closely, I think she's kind of anorexic for her age. However, her beautiful wardrobe masks that very well. The children are good, though some must needs be forgettable I suppose, since there are so many of them--like the youngest boy and the girl before the youngest. But Angela Cartwright and Charmian Carr are excellent actresses both. Julie and Chris? Well, at the moment, I still find him a walk-through, detracting from most of the scenes he's in. I'm less annoyed with Julie these days. Of course, there's NO WAY I could ever fault her beautiful singing. I'd like to know why he was dubbed in, since the singer they hired to do his songs isn't so great. I guess it's funny that I can dislike the two main performances as much as I do, and still like this picture, but that's one of the mysteries of life, I guess. My only other criticism of the film is that I wish it were more colorful. Everything is somewhat white and gold and gray. Even the children's playclothes are a little washed out, color-wise. That's why I really notice that green dress Maria wears when she returns to the villa--it's the one vibrant color in the whole picture. Overall, though, "The Sound of Music" is one of the supreme movie musical achievements. Very few scores can better it, just about no singer can top Ms. Andrews. If you haven't seen this yet, what ARE you waiting for, an invitation to the convent itself?
Rating:
Summary: Best and Brightest of the Best
Review: The hills are alive to the sound of music, as the song goes, and the songs continue to go, with this marvelous film with Julie Andrews. What a talent!! And what a story. Based loosely on the Von Trapp family, it encompasses what a truly family film is all about. The children, the father, the baroness, the nun who finds her calling from God with the family who needs a real mother, and the threat of a Europe gone mad and right on the heels of Austria. Marvelous entertainment and highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: No age is too young for the Sound of Music
Review: If you think your child is too young and sit though a musical, think again in the case of Sound of Music. Our 2 1/2 year-old love the songs in this movie *MORE* than the music of Elmo and Barney!! Something that I thought could never happen. Ever since we turned her onto "Do-Re-Me", she had asked to watch this DVD every day. Now she knows all the words to "Do-Re-Me", and she can sing it as well as other songs in the movie like "So Long, Farewell" and "My Favorite Things". Incredible. If you have young children who wants to watch and listen to the songs over and over again, make sure you get the DVD version, because you will be able to jump from song to song immediately, something you can't do with video tape. Highly recommended, especially over Elmo and Barney.
Rating:
Summary: A joyous musical
Review: I had a music professor who said he hated this musical because it was too syruoy. It is but, as Clint Eastwood would say "I like syrupy, you got a problem with that PUNK! Musicals are suppose to be uplifting and fluffy. Most musicals from the 1940s through the early sixties were syrupy. Every song is a gem.
The story centers around Maria a novice nun who is given the assignment of being the governess to the children of the widowed Baron Von Trapp. The musical opens with a beautiful panoramic view of the gorgeous Austrian country side. The camera then focuces on Maria where she sings the tile song. From that very moment your spirit is uplifted. Maria eventually goes to the Von Tapp home and wins over the children. One of the best scenes is when she teaches the children to sing by singing "Do Re Mi" While seeing this song the children are traveling through the beautiful city of Saltzberg. THe Baron Von Trapp was portrayed as a very stern and strick man. The real Von Trapp children protested the way their father was portrayed in this musical. IN one scene he fires Maria. After firing her he hears his children singing (the title song) in perfect harony and I MEAN PERFECT HARMONY. I get goosebumps every time I hear tis song. The Baron then melts when he hears his children singing he then asks Maria to stay. He eventually starts falling love with her. Maria become uncinfortable and returns to the convent. When the Mother superior confronts her she tells her that the walls of the convent are not a santuary from the real world. Then she sings "Climb every mountain" , which is my favorite broadway tune in any musical. Maria returns to the Baron and his children and marries him. While on their honeymoon the Nazis have taken over Austria. THe baron is then forced to serve in the Navy of the Third Reich. He tries to flee with his family. He is stopped. He tells them he is going to the musical festival. They take his family to the festival. In one marvelous scene he sings Eidelweiss. He was basically telling the Nazis what they can do with their Third Riech. And by the looks of their faces in the audience, they knew he was telling them what they can do with Third Reich. They then escape into switzerland.
I realize the musical is contrived. The real Von Trapp family left for America by ship before the occupation of the Nazis. The musical is an american musical treasure and stands as one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's greatest along with Oklahoma! and The King and I.
Rating: 
Summary: Rodgers 100th?
Review: This is great, EXCEPTthere are no extras, and no Entr' Acte.
Rating:
Summary: A classic
Review: An excellent sweet catchy movie. Great for the family, and a true story, what more could you want? I think the customers with the one two and 3 star ratings need to lighten up, I mean, you can't diss a classic. But I know classical light movies aren't for everyone, but The Sound of Music is for any person who is sick of the modern violent deep movies, and just wants to escape to an entertaining, easygoing film with very catchy and timeless songs.
Rating: 
Summary: Sound of Music?
Review: This movie is pretty good for the first half. But I normally don't watch the second. I prefer it when Andrews is the nanny and becomes engaged. Other than that, I could do without the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Our world can do better without annoying sounds
Review: This movie was made in the sixties, we live in the 21st century, GET OVER IT!
Rating:
Summary: Roger's and Hammersteins Masterpeice
Review: I have seen this movie over 60 times. It is my favorite R&H movie of all time. From the way Julie moves her arms singing 'Mi' during Do-Re-Mi, to the way Gretl scoots up the stairs during 'So Long, Farewell.' The score was the last Rogers and Hammerstien ever wrote, Eidelweiss being the last song. Everyone has the memory of Maria the mischeivious young postulant twinling with joy as she begins the prelude, 'The Sound of Music,' but how long has it been sonce you watched the whole film? It had been 6 years for me, gimme a break I'm 14 and trying to prove a point, and now It's only been hours. So enjoy the DVD and look at the other stuff too, that's the main reason we buy 'em right? Anyway, what I'm trying to say is- this movie is simply the best, the DVD calls you...
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