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Rated: G
Starring: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, et al.
Director: Robert Wise Review
Some people may sneer at this 1965 musical, but the truth is the film has
earned its status as a perennially watchable romantic-drama, largely on
the strength of a fun story and chemistry between stars Julie Andrews and
Christopher Plummer. Veteran filmmaker Robert Wise (The Day the Earth
Stood Still) mostly stays out of the way of the film's appealing elements,
which include a based-on-fact tale of Austria's von Trapp family, who fled
their Nazi-occupied country in 1938. Andrews is delightful and even
fascinating as Maria, who sheds her tomboyish ways as a novice nun to
accept the mantle of adulthood, becoming matron of the motherless von
Trapp clan. Plummer is matinee-idol handsome and gives a smart performance
to boot, and the cast of young people and kids who make up the singing von
Trapp children make a strong impression. Based on the Rodgers and
Hammerstein stage musical, the score includes such winners as "Maria" and
the future John Coltrane hit "My Favorite Things." --Tom Keogh
------------ Reviled by some, beloved by many, consistently
referred to as the most popular movie musical ever made, THE SOUND OF
MUSIC more than fulfills the promise of its beautiful visuals and expert
song numbers on home video via DVD. This edition tops the 1995 laserdisc
by allowing the sparkling, exemplary design of its 70mm. Todd-AO frame to
be exhibited with increased sharpness and resolution. The 4.1 Dolby
Digital soundtrack is powerful and clean, but since this film was
originally mixed for six-track magnetic stereo, it's curious why the
effort wasn't made by Fox to split the surrounds! Nonetheless, the film
sounds terrific. The extra features make this package a bargain at the
price. Full length commentary by director Bob Wise, with the musical
numbers presented sans vocals, is a great touch. And the two documentaries
are beautifully presented; full of facts and bits of arcane information
that any fan will truly enjoy. A great movie, and a great DVD rendition.
More like this, PLEASE!
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