In 1930s Austria, the von Trapp family learns how to have fun when an aspiring nun becomes their governess in “The Sound of Music.” As the seven young children fall in love with Maria as their governess, she and their father fall in love and she stops trying to become a nun and becomes their mother. Meanwhile, the Nazis have taken over Austria and have recalled Captain von Trapp to join the German army. After the family sings in a talent show, they have to flee Austria for countries that haven’t been overtaken by Nazi rule, narrowly escaping the Nazis.

This is one of the most well-known and beloved movies and musicals of all time. The film, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, was ranked by American Film Institute at number 55 on its 100 Greatest Movies of All Time and number 4 on its list of greatest musicals. While I don’t agree with the movie being ranked that highly, I can certainly see why the American Film Institute values this film so much. The music is excellent and it carries the film. Many of the songs are still sung today. Without the music, this film would not be half as well-regarded as it is.

Honestly, the plot is a little thin. A woman becomes nanny; or governess; to a group of kids, they love her, she falls in love with their father and they get married has been done many times before and since. The rush to escape the Nazis is the most interesting part of the film. Meanwhile, there is a lot in the middle that can be cut out. To this day, I don’t understand the point of the puppet show. Why is it there? I think they could’ve incorporated cut out the puppet show, gotten to the family having to escape the Nazis sooner and it would’ve improved the film. That doesn’t mean I think it’s bad, just there’s plenty of unnecessary filler to make a movie that could be two hours into a three hour movie.

While not as good as “Mary Poppins,” this film is a reminder that Julie Andrews is an absolute gem. She has a wonderful voice and she makes a vast majority of the songs even better when she sings them. Christopher Plummer also does a great job, despite the fact that he didn’t think it was a good movie or a good role. I’m not going to rush out and watch this every time it’s on, but I enjoyed this viewing.

Ranking: 3.5 stars out of 5

What did you think of “The Sound of Music?”

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Jeremy Brown

Jeremy has been a big Disney fan since he was a kid growing up during the Disney Renaissance. One day he hopes to go to every Disney Park in the world.

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