Rating: Summary: I Loved It!! Review: At 33 years of age, I finally saw the Sound of Music...and I thought it was wonderful! Although the movie is nearly three hours long, it possesses so much charm and beauty that I truly enjoyed every minute of it. The segment in which Maria and the children perform "the lonely goatherd" puppet-show alone justifies purchasing the movie. Other stand-out scenes include the nuns singing about how to solve "a problem like Maria," Julie Andrews teaching the children about music with the song "Do Ray Mi," and the children telling the guests at their father's party goodnight with the "Cuckoo" song ("Adieu, adieu...to you and you and you"). Also, the scenary Austrian countryside is absolutely breathtaking! The Sound of Music is definitely worth seeing. Don't just take my word for it. Of the 233 reviews of The Sound of Music which have been posted on Amazon at this time (12/12/01), only 18 gave this film less than 4 stars. Furthermore, 10 of these 18 mediocre reviews were only critical of the technical aspects of the DVD, and praised the actual film. Of course, the eight people who truly didn't enjoy The Sound of Music have every right to give it a negative review, and shouldn't be criticized for their honesty. Even so, I feel a little sad that they didn't have the wonderful experience I had with this movie. (...)
Rating: Summary: My All Time Favorite Review: This movie has got to be my all time favorite. I enjoy all the musicals but always come back to the Sound of Music. It is so relaxing to sit and watch the beautiful scenery at the beginning of it and then to be able to enjoy the music all the way through it. What an inspiring story and Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer were terrific. Just loved it and watch it at least once a week.
Rating: Summary: Great format for a classic Hollywood musical Review: The movie is more than thirty-five years old, the musical is more than forty years old, and both have withstood the ravages of time. This is a masterpiece of the American musical beautifully adapted to the screen. The casting is excellent, from Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in the starring roles, to the children, each of whom has a distinct personality and screen presence, to the nuns, headed by the lovely Peggy Wood (and including an on-screen appearance by Marni Nixon who supplied the singing voice for Natalie Wood, Audrey Hepburn, and Deborah Kerr to name but three), to Eleanor Parket and Richard Hayden in the supporting roles. The scenery is gorgeous from the first aerial view of the mountains to the last and the interiors, particularly those in the Von Trapp house, are sumptious. Since most viewers have already seen this movie either in the theatre, on TV, or in video-format (either commercial or taped from TV) or perhaps on LaserDisc, the real question is, "Do I need the DVD version?" In the case, the answer is yes. The extra offerings are interesting and help increase the viewers enjoyment of the movie, plus, they are full of bits of useful (or is that useless?) trivia. OK, now let's all watch once more to find the real Maria von Trapp in the crowd... As with most DVD's the real advantage is being able to cue a particular scene for those times when you don't want to watch the entire movie -- no more guessing and backing-up. So, unless you are just toooo cultured to enjoy this classic musical, consider adding this DVD to your library, or, better yet, give it to a young person who has yet to be introduced to "the hills are alive...."
Rating: Summary: The Sweetest Sound Review: in a single word....Maria...." Wrong musical but the description fits. In 3 words this time. This is one of those movies that gets better and better every time. This is one of those films that is so jammed full of...stuff...that it never tires you. I remember the first time I saw it when I was 4, and for some strange reason I was scared of it. Now I think I can understand, it's an epic and it overwhelmes you in all the good ways. It's not just a good musical, it's a good movie. There's the very serious threat of WWII, and before this family can overcome that deadly danger, it must overcome it's own problems within itself; Maria must find what she is searching for, and they all have to find where they fit into the equation. There are scenes that make me uncomfortable and play on your nerves. When Maria is caught singing over and over again. Her music causes her embarrassment, but in the end it provides a strange salvation for the family. Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews work magic with the snappy script and the score, as do the rest of the cast. The music is timeless, especially the "Do Re Mi" scene. Probably the most famous song in musical history and it never gets dull. It's a scene of pure joy. The colors, choreography, and cinematography are flawless, yet don't have that museum effect of pristine untouchableness and look as if they belong in this world. Anyone who's been to Austria would see that it's that beautiful. But more than anything, this film celebrates life and love and where music falls into the equation, and it never fails in chill making and tear producing. It's a beautiful testament to the simple joys and the sound of music.
Rating: Summary: Family values for family viewing Review: I really enjoyed all of this musical - the story,the drama,the music(of course),the educational aspects of it.The actors are well chosen;and the addition of extras like interviews made it even more interesting.This is something that is really 'safe' for family viewing,for there is no violence,nudity,curse words - it's quite a change from most that is out there.All were portrayed realistically,and very honestly.It was very educational to see where some of the actors we meet in the beginning were in the end.The nuns are shown as normal human beings,with a very positive image of Mother Abbot - something that is rarely seen,as more often religious heroes are shown removed from realistic life.Anyway,this is something that is worthwhile to buy and watch again and again!
Rating: Summary: julie andrews shines as always! Review: My mom and I watched this together a little over a year ago, it was like the 50th or 75th anniversary and it made me so happy to see it. The Sound of Music is one of my favorite musicals. It's delightful, cheerful songs and happy tunes make it one of the most brillant ones out there. I received it for a Christmas present last year and it has been watched many times since then.
Rating: Summary: Sappy and Sugary Review: Is it possible to contract diabetes from watching a movie? The Sound of Music comes pretty darn close! Overly sentimental pablum with unremarkable songs. Too cutesy, too long, too boring.
Rating: Summary: A cheerful family classic Review: A cheerful, family classic starring Julie Andrews, there is a reason that this is one of the most beloved movies of all time. With a wonderful, familiar score and breathtaking scenery, it lasts through many repeats. Some of the costumes and hairstyles are out of date, as they were in the style of the 60's rather than the late 30s (the Baroness' wardrobe and styling were closer, but still off), but overall, it's a film that endures.
Rating: Summary: ...taming von Trapp Family Review: The Sound of Music is a classic musical set amid the splendor and majesty of the Bavarian Alps. Shot in Salzburg, I consider it as one of the greatest screen musical ever made. The film is based on a real family and their true events. It tells the story of a young postulate, Maria, who after proving too high-spirited for the Mother Abess and other nuns, is sent off to work as a governess to seven unruly children. The von Trapp family is run in military style, by the seemingly cold-hearted Captain von Trapp, a lonely widowed naval officer. Seeing how badly he and his children need companionship, he proposes to Baroness Schraeder, calculating, mutual friend of beloved family friend Max Detweiler. It is the baroness who soon realizes that it's Maria - with her warmth and love for the children, whom the captain really loves. It is nearly bliss for the newly formed family who loves to sing together except for the cloud looming over their beloved Austrian horizon: Hitler is ascending to power, forcing von Trapp to decide whether to join the Nazi party, which he loathes or force his family to leave their home forever. The musical is trying to depict the political crisis of Austria wherein the country was so much affected with the arising power of the Nazis that time. This musical is really one of my favorites. With the beautiful cinematography, along with the beautiful songs, no doubt it deserves the Academy Awards it had. I strongly recommend this musical to everyone especially those who love music very much. It is really quite a splended film for me since i also love the classics. The dvd format is great!!!
Rating: Summary: Just say Julie. Review: What more can be said about this, the best Hollywood adaptation of a Broadway musical, and one of the premier films of the 20th century. It's melodic, stirring, epic, emotional, at times sugarey enough to send a diabetic into a coma, and yet so very wonderful. Truly a film for the ages.
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