The Sound of Music (1965) - Film Review:
The Sound of Music is a film that has stood the test of time and resonated with audiences for years due to its relatable themes, beautiful scenery, and breathtaking cinematography. The film begins with the jovial Maria singing out on the vast hillsides of Austria, distracted from her work as a nun at the abbey. Upon her return, Maria is admonished for her distractive nature by the other nuns and is sent to be a nanny to prove her worthiness as a nun. Maria is daunted by the task of being a governess to seven children of widowed former Captain von Trapp, whose strict rules she hesitates to enforce. The film follows Maria as she navigates the situation and brings her zeal for life and love of music into the household.
Throughout the film, producer and director Robert Wise, often uses a variety of wide pan and shots to establish the rural setting of Salzburg, Austria. The Sound of Music was filmed on location, in Salzburg, Austria, which serves to make the film feel more realistic.
The von Trapps are portrayed on screen as a fictionalized version of the real life family with slight differences in the story. In reality, Maria was more strict while the Captain and his first wife encouraged musical talents in their children, who were not the same gender and ages as those portrayed in the film. Despite its historical inaccuracies, The Sound of Music is a wonderful musical with generally good writing.
Julie Andrews’ Maria is the anchor of the film, holding it together while breathing life into the role. The singing, while difficult to capture on camera, is done expertly with each of the characters, including the Captain, becoming more established as the film progresses. The artistic use of the hills and landscape of Austria serves to provide a sense of freedom and contribute to the film’s themes of family and love.
Overall, The Sound of Music is a nostalgic film, using bright colors and imagery to paint a portrait of Austria as a friendly and hospitable country. The film focuses on the relationship between governess Maria and the Von Trapp children, with the background of World War II. Throughout the film, characters reference the ongoing war, with multiple instances of foreshadowing Germany’s eventual invasion of Austria. The Sound of Music uses the location of Austria to establish the setting as well as to move the plot along, creating a real-time feel to the movie.
The Sound of Music was filmed in 1965, with the use of the Mitchell BNC Camera and Modern Cinema Systems MC-70, to produce a variety of effects. The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won five, including best picture and best director. Since The Sound of Music was released in 1965, the film has gone on to receive critical acclaim and praise from audiences across the world.
Sources used:
“The Sound of Music (1965).” ShotOnWhat?, 15 June 2019, https://shotonwhat.com/the-sound-of-music-1965#:~:text=The%20movie%20The%20Sound%20of,and%20editing%20by%20William%20Reynolds.
Bauer, Patricia. "The Sound of Music". Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Aug. 2017, https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Sound-of-Music-film-by-Wise. Accessed 14 January 2022.
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