The Sound of Music (film)

The Sound of Music (film)
20th Century Fox, the publisher of the film or the graphic artist · Public domain · source
Name	The Sound of Music
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Robert Wise
Producer	Robert Wise
Screenplay	Ernest Lehman
Based on	The Sound of Music, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, music by Richard Rodgers
Starring	Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Charmian Carr, Heather Menzies-Urich, Nicholas Hammond, Duane Chase, Angela Cartwright, Debbie Turner, Kym Karath
Music	Richard Rodgers (music), Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics), Irwin Kostal (orchestrations)
Cinematography	Ted D. McCord
Editing	William H. Reynolds
Studio	Argyle Enterprises
Distributor	20th Century Fox
Released	1965, 03, 02, New York City, 1965, 03, 10, United States
Runtime	174 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$8.2 million
Gross	$286.2 million

The Sound of Music (film) is a 1965 American musical film produced and directed by Robert Wise, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The film is an adaptation of the 1959 Broadway musical of the same name, composed by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It tells the story of Maria, a postulant who becomes a governess to the seven children of a widowed Austrian naval captain, bringing music and joy into their home against the backdrop of the Anschluss.

Plot

In 1938 Salzburg, free-spirited postulant Maria is sent from Nonnberg Abbey to be governess for the seven children of stern retired naval captain Georg von Trapp. She wins over the children, especially the eldest Liesl, with music and kindness, teaching them songs like "Do-Re-Mi" and "My Favorite Things". Captain von Trapp returns from Vienna with his fiancée, the wealthy Baroness Schraeder, and friend Max Detweiler, to find his home transformed. Maria and the captain slowly fall in love, leading her to flee back to the abbey, where Mother Abbess advises her to face her feelings in the song "Climb Ev'ry Mountain". Upon Maria's return, the captain breaks his engagement, and they marry. After the Anschluss, the captain, opposed to the Nazi regime, is ordered to report for service in the Kriegsmarine. The family uses a performance at the Salzburg Festival as a cover to escape over the Alps to Switzerland.

Cast

* Julie Andrews as Maria von Trapp * Christopher Plummer as Captain Georg von Trapp * Eleanor Parker as Baroness Elsa Schraeder * Richard Haydn as Max Detweiler * Peggy Wood as Mother Abbess * Charmian Carr as Liesl von Trapp * Heather Menzies-Urich as Louisa von Trapp * Nicholas Hammond as Friedrich von Trapp * Duane Chase as Kurt von Trapp * Angela Cartwright as Brigitta von Trapp * Debbie Turner as Marta von Trapp * Kym Karath as Gretl von Trapp * Anna Lee as Sister Margaretta * Portia Nelson as Sister Berthe * Ben Wright as Herr Zeller * Daniel Truhitte as Rolf Gruber

Production

The film was produced by Robert Wise through his company Argyle Enterprises for 20th Century Fox. After the success of Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews was cast, while Christopher Plummer was a less conventional choice for the captain. Filming took place largely on location in Salzburg, Austria, including at Leopoldskron Palace and the Felsenreitschule, with interior shots completed at the 20th Century Fox studios in Los Angeles. The production faced challenges including bad weather and Plummer's initial reluctance to perform his own singing, with some vocals later provided by Bill Lee. The screenplay by Ernest Lehman expanded upon the stage musical, adding new songs and opening up the story for cinema.

Music

The score features music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by the late Oscar Hammerstein II, adapted from their stage musical and the autobiography of Maria von Trapp. Iconic songs include "The Sound of Music", "My Favorite Things", "Do-Re-Mi", "Sixteen Going on Seventeen", and "Edelweiss", the last being the final song written by Hammerstein. Two new songs were composed by Rodgers alone for the film: "I Have Confidence" and "Something Good", which replaced the stage's "An Ordinary Couple". The orchestration was handled by Irwin Kostal, and the soundtrack album, released by RCA Victor, became a massive commercial success.

Release and reception

The film premiered in New York City at the Rivoli Theatre on March 2, 1965, before a wide release across the United States. It was a phenomenal box office hit, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1965 and, for a time, the highest-grossing film of all time, surpassing Gone with the Wind. Critical reception was mixed initially, with some reviewers like Bosley Crowther of The New York Times finding it overly sentimental, but audience adoration was universal. At the 38th Academy Awards, it won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Robert Wise.

Legacy

The film's enduring popularity has cemented it as a classic of American cinema and one of the most successful musical films ever made. It spurred increased tourism to Salzburg and has been preserved in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. Annual television broadcasts, particularly on ABC and later NBC, made it a family viewing staple. The film has influenced countless productions and performers, and its songs remain standards in popular culture. It also solidified the careers of its stars, particularly Julie Andrews, and continues to be celebrated for its memorable music and uplifting story.

Category:1965

Legacy

The film