The Sound of Music

There are two parts to this movie: the first is the blossoming romance between a Austrian baron and the governess of his seven children, and the second part's about Nazi encroachment into Austria. For years I've avoided this ever-so-famous musical and for just that very reason (how could anything so popular be any good?) but I write now to say that I was wrong. About a family coming together? Yes. And in difficult times? Yes. Inspirational? Yes. more

A stroke of pure cinema and musical genius by two of Hollywood's greatest musical composers Rodgers and Hammerstein, who's names have become synonymous with the Hollywood musical. From the famous opening shot of Maria daydreaming, standing arms open wide on top of a mountain singing one of the greatest songs in cinema "The Sound of Music" through the Von Trapp family, the romance and marriage and the war to the end credits of the family escaping over the mountains The Sound of Music is filled with a mixture of comedy, love, romance, suspense and the most wonderful collection of songs one... more

A bizarre Nazi musical with dozens of blond children running around singing about their fears, it makes no logistical sense but can be a lot of fun. Who ever knew that music was the weakness of the Third Reich? I can't really say that this is a bad movie, it's not, the sets and shots are well done and some of the grandest for a musical. However, it's ridiculously lengthy and one-noted most of the time. The story didn't warrant a three hour running time and it honestly ruins what could have been something much better. Without all those cheesy heart felt scenes, this could have been "THE"... more

When I was young I would only pay attention to the parts with the kids. The nuns at the beginning and the nazis at the end were too much for me, too serious, too adult for me to understand. I've just seen the movie again after many many years and there was so much I wasn't aware of before. There is beautiful scenery and architecture, catchy songs of course, the charming and disarming Julie Andrews, and a surprisingly strong message about climbing every mountain until you find your dream. A seasonal inspiration! more

How do you solve a problem like Maria? The Hills are alive with the sound of music! Gosh, such a great time this movie has with everything; even the rotten Nazis couldn't ruin it. A classic, almost etched in stone. It's great stuff, with a group of curtain-clothed Von Trapp kids singing Do-Rae-Mi and putting on puppet shows and stage shows. I simply remember my favorite things about this movie, and then I don't feel so bad. It's such a good movie; even with Christopher Plummer and the Nuns singing. It's even better without commercials. more

For some reason The Sound Of Music has never had any luck in home video release. It has never achieved the picture quality commensurate with its status. The 40th Anniversary Edition seemed like the opportunity for it to finally shine. Alas no. Yes it is a marked improvement over the previous DVD which image-wise was deplorable. But it is far below what we know is possible in film restoration today. What's good about the new SoM transfer? Well for starters they've removed the much criticised electronic edge enhancement which infuriated so many people in the previous DVD. This is artificial... more