The Most Beloved Family Film of All Time, The Sound of Music, Turns 50!
The 50th Anniversary re-release of this classic family film has all the bells and whistles one might want. The story grabbed which our hearts 50 years ago still appeals. The young nun, Maria (Julie Andrews) takes on the stern Navy captain Georg Von Trapp and commandeers his brood of young children in a kind and compelling fashion. Her demeanor and sense of fun soon draws the family together and captures the Captain’s heart. KIDS FIRST! Critic Clayton Picard couldn’t have phrased it better, “Some might think Frozen is an amazing movie musical, but Rodger and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music is a million times better!” See his full review below.
The Sound of Music 50th Anniversary Edition
By Clayton Pickard, Kids First! Critic, age 15
The 50th Anniversary Edition of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music is a must-have for every family. This 5-disc DVD set includes the movie in HD and standard definition, a new 60 minute documentary called The Sound of a City: Julie Andrews Returns to Salzburg and lots of other special features.
The Sound of Music is the best family film of all time because it brings everyone together with its great, true-life story of the Von Trapp family. The songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein are all wonderful and unforgettable. Each song is a masterpiece. Some might think Frozen is an amazing movie musical, but Rodger and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music is a million times better! The quality of the song writing just cannot be compared with anything else.
The Sound of Music stars Julie Andrews as Maria, a young Austrian woman who is training to be a nun at a monastery. Christopher Plummer stars as Captain Von Trapp, a wealthy Austrian naval captain who hires Maria as governess to his seven children. It was directed by Robert Wise. It won five Academy Awards including Best Picture.
The documentary, The Sound of a City: Julie Andrews Returns to Salzburg, which is included in this 50th anniversary DVD edition, is informative and revealing. We go behind-the-scenes to visit the original locations in the film: the monastery, the Cathedral, the Von Trapp estate (which is really a classical music school) and a 100-year-old marionette theater which was the inspiration for the puppet scene in the film. It is wonderful to see Julie Andrews so excited about coming back and visiting the film’s locations after 50 years.
For those who love the songs, the 50th Anniversary DVD Edition also includes the original soundtrack from the film. And there are lots of other bonus material, such as Music Machine Sing-Along; Audio Commentaries with Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, and Director Robert Wise; A City of Song—Virtual Map of Filming Locations in Salzburg, Austria; Vintage Rodgers and Hammerstein and The Sound of Music programs; and more.
The Sound of Music is appropriate for all ages. The documentary, The Sound of a City: Julie Andrews Returns to Salzburg is appropriate for those ages 10 to 18. I rate this new DVD set 5 out of 5 stars.
The Sound of Music 50th Anniversary Edition
By Tre’ana H., age 11, 2015 KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
The movie The Sound of Music 50th Anniversary passes the test of time. It is still a relevant, fun and family oriented movie. This is a classical musical movie which is entertaining to all crowds. It captivates the audience’s attention and draws you into the storyline.
My favorite part is when the children sings a song called “So Long Farewell” in the room for the father’s guests at the house. I liked this scene because it is humorous and funny, especially when children pretend to kick each other when it is the next person’s time to sing. The little sister does an excellent job of singing. Her part is so cute.
This movie is about a young lady, Maria Rainer (Julie Andrews) who is studying to become a nun and lives in the abbey. The reverend mother nun doesn’t thinks she is ready. She decides to let Maria leave the abbey and become a governess to a Naval Officer (Christopher Plummer) and his seven children. When she first arrives the children put a frog in her dress. She screams but it doesn’t bother her. She works on breaking the barriers to build a relationship with the children and show them love. She opens up her heart and teaches the children the beginning steps of learning how to sing. It is romantic, happy, magical and a high pitched drama. The children became exceptional and start to like Maria. You have to watch the movie to see the rest!
The message of the film is to be yourself and not anybody else. I feel this way because it is important to connect to your inner self and express who you want to be.
The setting is quite picturesque and the costumes are traditional.
I recommend this film for ages 8 to 18 and I give it 5 out of 5 Stars because it is a time-honored movie and family-like.
