Director: Robert Wise
Starring: Christopher Plummer, Julie Andrews and Richard Haydn
‘A Musical Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have produced films that audiences treasure like Christopher Plummer. Ever since his rise to recognition in the 1960’s, Plummer has become a renowned icon. Whether it’s aristocratic fathers, victims of murders or psychiatrists which investigate disorders, Plummer has portrayed countless strong characters. Arguably, Plummer’s finest strength as an actor has always been his bold commitment. He is one of those rare one of a kind actors that has always poured his heart and soul into every role. Shining a bright light in darkness, Plummer has become a beloved icon in the entertainment business. However, in 2021 Plummer’s legendary career came to a sudden closure when he passed away from a tragic disaster. Plummer’s devastating death marked a huge loss for the film industry. It was easier said than done for audiences to cope with the devastating death of a celebrated icon. In the wake of his sad passing, Plummer left behind a lasting legacy by making several memorable movies that are definitely without doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of Plummer and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “The Sound of Music” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 1965, Richard Wise’s film has turned into a celebrated musical classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, engrossing storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the best musicals ever made in cinema history. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Christopher Plummer, who portrays a widowed naval captain struggling raising his family. Ultimately, what makes “The Sound of Music” a musical classic is universal appeal. Unlike most musicals made during the 1960’s which tend to be outraged, it has aged beautifully. The film delivers a strong message about housekeepers that would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing musical masterpiece, there are countless reasons why “The Sound of Music” is a commemorated movie which is worth seeing.
Set before WWI, “The Sound of Music” tells a story of a tomboyish nun seeking to care for a family that’s empathetic. Julie Andrews plays Maria, an exuberant nun that is employed at an Austrian abbey. A charismatic woman with the tendency to break rules, Maria is looked down on in the religious monastery. However, Maria’s life forever changes when she’s given the rare opportunities to be a governess for a wealthy family. Maria is hired by George Van Trapp (Christopher Plummer), a widowed dad mourning the loss of his wife. Von Trapp is an authoritarian father that imposes strict rules on his children. Seeking to repair the lives of children, Maria introduces a way of love into the household. Maria’s unorthodox styles of taking care of children clash with strict rules imposed by the captain. Facing a dilemma, Maria questions whether it’s truly possible to take care of children in a conservative era. Seeking to find the sound of music, Maria endeavours to take care of mischievous children that are experiencing hardships that are tragic.
Robert Wise has always been fascinated with the musical genre. Before he directed “The Sound of Music, Wise was known for making movies in the musical genre. His celebrated musical “West Side Story” captured rivalry between gangs facing tragedies. With “The Sound of Music”, however, Wise crested his first musical about housekeepers. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture tension faced by governesses seeking to care for a family but he succeeded immensely. Through captivating cinematography, Wise captures a governess embarking on a journey to care for a wealthy family. Visually, the movie is a feast for the eyes which is as stunning as Austrian skies. Wise successfully employs montages to capture a governess bonding with children in a wealthy family. For instance, montages elevate the Do Re Mi musical scene. During this joyful scene, Maria spends time with the children by playing the guitar. One appreciates montages capturing the strong bonds between a captain and children facing tension. Montages are not easy to use in movies. As Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” demonstrated, montages elevate musicals about lovers in L.A. However, it works tremendously in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Wise captures hardship naval captains are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Sound of Music” worth praising is production design. From a technical perspective, the film is very well made. Wise has always had an aptitude for designing production in his movies, and “The Sound of Music” illustrated his strength as a filmmaker. Throughout the film, the Von Trapp family home plays a crucial role in the movie. The home showcases the tension that children in wealthy families are experiencing. For instance, backdrop of the home elevates the My Favourite Things scene. During this unforgettable scene, Maria bonds with the children by discussing her favourite things which she cares deeply about in the home. One appreciates the production of homes capturing strong bonds between kids and governesses. Unlike most musicals made during the 1960’s which tend to be outdated, the sets of the movie have aged beautifully. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Richard Rogers’ music is integral towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie a joyous atmosphere capturing painful burden housemaids bear. Through strong production design, Wise captures hardships experienced by widows families which experience a painful decline.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “The Sound of Music” is a musical that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses symbolism to capture bonds between a housemaid and kids. Ernest Lehman’s finest screenwriting strength is capturing children forming powerful bonds with governesses by symbolism. Throughout the movie, music is a strong symbol that gives the Von Trapp family hope to cope with situations in life which are tragic. For instance, the symbolism of music enhances the children singing scene. During this memorable scene, Von Trapp is shocked to find his children singing becoming aware of the powers of music which has always been missing from his household. Through clever symbolism, Wise creates a strong character that audiences can easily relate to. Symbolism is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” franchise demonstrated, symbolism enhances classic fantasy films. Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” suggested symbolism elevates shining horror movies about isolation. Nevertheless, it works extremely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Wise captures housekeepers that are drawn towarsd the sound of music experiencing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Christopher Plummer delivers one of his best career performances as General Von Trapp. Plummer achieved appreciation for playing majestic kings in period pieces. With “The Sound of Music”, however, the actor took on his most joyous role. It isn’t easy to capture personality of a naval captain mourning the loss of his wife, but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Plummer has spent most of his career playing serious characters in dramas. In “The Sound of Music”, the actor showcased a musical aptitude that audiences hadn’t seen before. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and grief of a widowed naval captain struggling to raise his family. It’s a phenomenal performance by a legendary actor that is sadly no longer with us today.
Julie Andrews is amazing as a governess that seeks to care for children in a wealthy family. Andrews has always had an aptitude playing joyous women with love for music, and “The Sound of Music” showcased her strengths as an actress. Whether she’s teaching children how to perform music or facing a dilemma when the captain catches her in the state of panic, Andrews uses her body language to create a character that’s compelling. It’s an energetic role that gave the actress chances to showcase aptitude for performing music. Andrews crafted a powerful character that’s become an iconic figure in popular culture. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actresses in Hollywood that changed Cinema.
Finally, “The Sound of Music” would attain the appreciation of everyone for capturing women enduring barriers which are tragic. Unlike most musicals made during the 1960’s which tend to be outdated, the film’s powerful themes remain relevant today. The film discusses meaningful themes including identity, grief and family that will resonate with everyone. It delivers a strong message about childhood that would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the musical genre to recognize it. Therefore, “The Sound of Music” is one of those rare commemorated films in the music genre that everyone will definitely adore.
Fans of Christopher Plummer will appreciate “The Sound of Music” and so will audiences seeking enjoyable entertainment. A fantastic musical classic, it honours an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 70 years following the release of a groundbreaking musical about nuns drawn to the sound of music seeking to care for children that are awe-inspiring, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that built a lasting legacy earning a huge following for his abilities to portray characters which are compelling whose engaging movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating several years after his heartbreaking passing left the world mourning.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 