The Sound of Music

[pro-bassoonist]

Robert Wise's The Sound of Music (1965) has received a preliminary release date for the Gallic markets: September 16th. Winner of five Oscar awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Liz Burroughs:

Never seen it in the cinema? Think its not worth seeing on the big screen just because it's on TV every Christmas? Think again. Miss it and miss out on seeing the most successful movie musical of all time (and 1965 best picture Oscar winner) the way it was meant to be seen: on a wide screen. Filmed on location in Salzburg Austria, director Robert Wise (Double Oscar winner for both this and West Side Story) transforms the hit Broadway play using the spectacular scenery of Austria as a backdrop.

The Sound of Music still ranks as number five in the all time box office ratings and was on general release in the USA for four and a half years.

The success of this film has meant that there are few people who do not know the stunning opening sequence or the words to at least some of Rogers and Hammersteins' songs: `Do-ReMi', `The Sound of Music' and `Edelweiss' (which was perceived by many to be an authentic Austrian song).

Following the apparantly true(ish) story of The Von Trapp family singers, the film begins in Nonnberg Abbey, Salzburg where the young Maria is hoping to become a nun. A hopeless failure, she leaves to become nanny to the nightmarish Von Trapp children. In true Mary Poppins style, the family are soon won over and all looks rosy, until the Nazis arrive. The story has survived original adaptation from an autobiographical book, into a German film (Die Trapp Familie), then into the Rogers and Hammerstein Broadway show and finally to Hollywood. The strength of the story has been the major factor in its success in each of these forms.

Julie Andrews is perfect in the role of Maria and was unlucky to miss out on winning the year's Oscar for best actress. She is backed up by an impressive supporting cast including Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Richard Haydn and seven `adorable' children.

Do not be put off coming to see this film because it is the film it is. If you do make the effort to come you will not be disappointed. Be prepared to be entertained from beginning to end by the unique combination of a strong and moving story, great acting and direction and a particularly impressive score.

Pro-B