The Sound of Music (1965)

Written by Ernest Lehman

Directed by Robert Wise

This was a great week for watching Best Picture films...not only did I get to watch two musicals back-to-back, but we learned the newest addition to the list. I know there’s a lot of controversy about your win, Green Book, but welcome to the list anyway. I’ll get to you by the end of the year.

(Note From the Future: HA.)

But, let’s travel from 2018 back to 1965 for the 38th film to win Best Picture, the classic The Sound of Music. Now, there’s few movies on this list that I’m more familiar with than this one, and indeed, I believe this the first film on this list I ever saw. Watching this film was a wonderful experience, as it was like seeing an old friend I hadn’t seen in a while, and yet I still found new things about it.

The von Trapp children, Maria, and the Captain

For the four of you who haven’t seen it, The Sound of Music stars America’s Favorite British Grandmother, Julie Andrews, as the free spirited Maria, who is sent from her abbey to the home of Georg von Trapp to be a governess to his seven children. She quickly cuts through their hostile attitudes, and Captain von Trapp’s as well, bringing peace, love, and music to the household, as the Nazis annex Austria as part of the Anschluss.

Julie Andrews as Maria

For being a (former) theater major, I have a love/hate relationship with movie musicals. There are some that are really great, and some that are really terrible. The Sound of Music falls on the higher end of that spectrum. Julie Andrews’ performance is the undeniable highlight of the film, as she embodies Maria with the confidence of Mary Poppins but with a much higher level of vulnerability. She commands every scene that she’s in, and she exudes a natural warmth that it’s impossible for anyone not to like her, as the von Trapps quickly discover.

Until this viewing, I had never really paid attention to Christopher Plummer’s performance as Georg von Trapp, and I was pleasantly surprised how powerful he is through the film. His rebuke of Herr Zeller is particularly sharp and powerful:

Georg: If the Nazis take over Austria, I have no doubt, Herr Zeller, that you will be the entire trumpet section.

Zeller: You flatter me, Captain.

Georg: Oh, how clumsy of me. I meant to accuse you.

Like, DAMN.

From a technical standpoint, the film is gorgeous, with lots of location shooting in Salzburg, Austria, and it gives the film a sweeping majesty, even in quiet, intimate scenes. There are random moments where the film uses a soft filter on the lens, which is a little distracting and feels forced, as well (“Feel an emotion here, damn it!”). Luckily, it doesn’t happen all that often.

Christopher Plummer as Captain von Trapp

Finally, the musical performances as superb. Classic after classic rolls through the film, and nearly all of them are instantly hummable and memorable. I might be in the minority, but I’m not a fan of “Edelweiss” or “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” (also, the two slowest numbers in the film, so there’s that, too). Personal standouts for me include “I Have Confidence” and “The Lonely Goatherd”.

It feels weird to find things to fault the movie for, but maybe because there really isn’t anything TO fault. Yes, there’s some weird cinematography aspects. Yes, the film is probably a little too saccharine and sweet. But dang it, it’s still a feel good experience, and Julie Andrews can do no wrong. She, and Betty White, are the grandmothers we all want to have.

FINAL GRADE: A-