The Sound of Music (1965) – Review

I’m a bit behind when it comes to translating my Dutch reviews to this blog (although I’m slowly catching up) and this is a blindspot movie of last year. I knew the music of it, but had never seen the actual film. Which is weird as the rest of my family had seen it several times. Had to change that…on to the hills which apparently are alive with the sound of music…

The Sound of Music revolves around the Von Trapp family. A former navy officer (Christopher Plummer) lives with his seven children in a huge house and is looking for someone who can take care of the children. Maria (Julie Andrews) is a nun who doubts whether life in the monastery is something for her. She is playful and likes to sing and therefore she clashes with the other nuns sometimes . When she is told that she must temporarily live outside the convent, she is placed with the Von Trapp family. The strict father runs his house like the military, but Mary finds that his methods do not fit and goes against it. She teaches the children to sing and perform. When the Second World War erupts, the family is in danger because the father refuses to work for Hitler.

The Sound of Music is a movie classic and after seeing this title it is understandable why it is so popular. The music is contagious, it is a title that the whole family can enjoy and the beautiful locations are a feast for the eyes. Christopher Plummer compared working with Julie Andrews with being hit over the head with a Valentine’s card every day and I can imagine what he meant. Andrews exudes innocence and warmth and her character is (just like Mary Poppins) a pleasure to watch. I did not know that the story was based on true facts and even though it is of course dramatized, it still gives an extra layer to this title.