Can I give 6-stars to this one?. Review on The Sound of Music Movie

Oh, I get all-nostalgic by the very mention of this movie. It sure brings back some happy pre-teen memories. Its actually a long story about how I discovered ‘The Sound of Music’.

My Dad was a member of the British Library and used to bring all sorts of books home..right from ‘The biography of Humprey Bogart’ to some futuristic sci-fi thrillers.. from ‘The greatest crimes of the 20th century’ to ‘The adventures of the secret castle’….some books for him and some for me. Let me admit that since a very young age, though not a complete movie buff, I was pretty inclined towards English musicals & Alfred Hitchcock movies, just like my father. So, I just go atleast go through (if not completely read) the books on Cary Grant, Marlene Dietrich and many others.

One of those days, I came across ‘Julie Andrews: A biography---by Robert Windeler’ and the sweet lil’ pixie like woman on the cover page allured me into reading the book. By the end of it all, I was a wiser kid who knew that she wanted to watch ‘The Sound of music’..somehow …anyhow. I told this to Dad and he said ‘…but where will you see it, it’s a 1965 film, they don’t even screen it in any of the theatres now..!!’ However, I knew I had to see & hear what was referred to as one of the greatest musicals ever with a equally good storyline to match!!

Of course, the first thing that I did was buy a cassette of the musical. I almost instantly fell in love with the songs….especially ‘Something Good’, ‘Climb every mountain’,’Edelweiss’, Lonely Gotherd’ …oh, all of them actually!! I could visualize the captain (that time I didn’t know who he was) & Julie Andrews singing ‘Something good’…..I could hear the peals of laughter & cackle of the captain’s seven children singing ‘Lonely gotherd & Do-Re-Mi’. Listening to the songs only made things worse for me (if I can say that)…my desire to see the movie only grew.

One fine day I got that chance. I couldn’t believe my ears when one of my friends told me that this year our students’ committee had arranged a special screening of ‘The Sound of Music’ for all of us before the annual school function (God Bless them). My eyes followed Julie Andrews’ every move as she danced atop the mountain singing ‘The Hills are alive with the sound of music’… My heart was saddened at the sight of the turmoil & trials in the life of the Von Trapp family, My ears just soaked in the brilliant music composed by Rodgers & Hammerstein.

This is a true story that revolves around Maria, a postulant in the Salzburg Abbey, with a restless spirit & zest for life, devoted to God but distracted from her religious duties. The Mother Abess understands this spirit of Maria & sends her away because she thinks that Maria is not ready for this monastic life. Maria is to be the governess for the children of Captain Von Trapp. Seven Children who have a reputation for scaring away governesses with their antics & incorrigible behavior. Maria is next in the line. However she doesn’t agree to the child-rearing ways of the Captain, who is a strict disciplinarian; she wins over the children with her warmth and tenderness. She becomes one of the kids and enjoys like she always wanted to..and soon enough the children respond to her kindness with love & laughter. The Captain has a love interest in the form of Baroness Schreader, he introduces the family to her. Needless to say, the captain is charmed by Maria’s contagious personality and somewhere along the way they realize that they have fallen in love with each other. Maria is confused by her new emotions and seizing this chance, the Baroness encourages her to leave the Von Trapp Villa. Maria leaves the Von Trapp family and returns back to the Abbey. In the meanwhile, the baroness tries very hard to win over the children’s’ affections but in vain. They miss Maria terribly and are more depressed with the fact that their father will one day marry the baroness. Maria confesses to Mother Abess about her feelings for the Captain. Mother encourages her to go back and face her feelings and find her true love. The Baroness now knows that it is Maria that the captain loves and so she gracefully bows out leaving the Captain & Maria to make plans to marry. While they both are on their honeymoon, the Anschluss takes place and the Nazis occupy Austria. The helpful uncle-like figure Max Detweiler enters the children in the Salzburg festival. Unfortunately, the Captain is summoned for military service by the German army. He plans an escape..the family hastily packs & flees. While fleeing, the storm troopers spot them. The family explains that they are merely on their way to participate in the Salzburg festival. Under the watchful eyes of the Nazis, they sing ‘So Long..Farewell’ on the stage. The Nazis learn about their plans and finally the Von Trapp family flees & hides in the Abbey and finally makes a dramatic escape to freedom.

In the beginning, from the moment you see the camera moving across the lush green Alps of Austria & a sprightly Maria singing ‘The Hills are Alive….’ till moment you see how the Von Trapp family escapes to freedom (away from the Nazis) & makes way up the mountain into the rising dawn………… each and every moment, frame, scene, song in the movie is awesome and riveting . The cast is absolutely wonderful and this was undoubtedly their most famous work till date. The children were especially a delight to watch, right from the 5 yr old Gretl to the 16-year old Leisl, they gave at times an energetic and at times a heart-rending performance. Julie Andrews as Maria & Christopher Plummer as the Captain were excellent..the roles were tailor-made for them. I cant imagine any other actor/ actress playing those roles!! Though Julie Andrews & Christopher Plummer made huge successes out of ‘Victor Victoria’ & ‘Dial M for Murder’, ‘The Sound of Music’ was a shade apart…unlike any other movie they ever acted in.

Since then, I have sent this movie umpteen times and every time I see it, I love it even more. In fact, my whole family just adores the movie..it truly is a timeless, masterpiece which pleases people of all ages. Filled with music, dancing and elaborate sets, this film is a real treat for the eyes and an acoustic delight. After watching that film I am sure that there were artists working not only in front of the camera but behind the camera as well. The cast & crew of this film made it a visual wonder & a musical masterpiece….that’s why it is one of the most watched & re-watched film in Hollywood history.

Moreover, apart from the excellent story, music, acting, the film had a very strong message – ‘ It is very important that you stay true to your ideals……..the goodness of Human spirit always triumphs’