The Sound of Music (1965)

It is an American Musical drama film. Produced & directed by Robert Wise. Screenplay by Ernest Lehman. Starring Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Charmian Carr, Eleanor Parker.

The film is an adaptation of the 1959 stage musical composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II & a book by Lindsay & Crouse.

It is based on the 1949 memoir ‘The story of the Trapp Family Singers ” by Maria von Trapp & is set in Salzburg, Austria. It is a fictional retelling of her experiences as governess to seven children, her eventual marriage with their father Captain Georg von Trapp, and their escape during the Anschluss in 1938.

Made on a budget of $ 8.2 million, it garnered $ 286.2 million at the box office.

By November 1966, it became the highest grossing film of all time, surpassing ‘Gone with the Wind’ & it held that distinction for five years.

Rotten Tomatoes rated it at a 8.1/10. ‘Unapologetically sweet & maybe even a little corny, “The Sound of Music’ will win over all but the most cynical filmgoers with it’s classic songs & irresistible warmth’.

At the Academy awards, Best Picture, Best Director for Robert Wise, Best Film Editing William Reynolds, Best scoring of Music Irwin Kostal, Best Sound James Corcoran & Fred Hynes.

American Cinema Editors gave Best Edited Feature film to William H. Reynolds. David di Donatello Awards gave Best Foreign Actress to Julie Andrews. Directors Guild of America Awards gave Robert Wise ,Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures.

Golden Globe Awards gave Best Motion Picture, Best Actress. Laurel Awards to Top General Entertainment “The Sound of Music’ & Top Female Musical Performance ‘Julie Andrews’.

The teamwork is excellent. Taking a risk to bring two not so known faces paid off. The team on screen & off screen showed perfect sync.

Today when films are made on a huge budget & also multiplexes & OTT platforms help, a masterpiece gets made so rarely. We watch it with awe & marvel at their chemistry.

One of the all time favourites.