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It might be hard to believe, but the evergreen (and admittedly corny) movie, The Sound of Music, is based on a true story. The film was adapted from Maria Von Trapp’s memoir called The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. After five decades and a half, most films end up looking familiar, but only a few exude the sheer joy that this Robert Wise directorial does. Despite the time and setting of the movie, the Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer movie has a timeless, charming vibe about it, so much so that even years later, it is difficult to not be enchanted by their theatrics.

Oh, and the songs! Lovely and boundless and folksy too (think Edelweiss). But we are getting ahead of ourselves. First, to the plot. The narrative is set in Austria and centres around a tomboyish, impulsive and enthusiastic 18-year-old Maria. Though many tried to ‘tame’ her at the Nonnberg Abbey, Maria could not be contained — always bursting forth with ideas and music. To make a responsible adult out of her, she is sent to be the governess to seven children of a retired naval officer called Captain Georg Von Trapp (a debonair Christopher Plummer). However, Maria’s unorthodox ways soon capture the attention of the Captain. And the rest of the plot takes off from there.

Predictable to the T, The Sound of Music makes up with its infectious energy what it lacks in the novelty department. The story comes ‘alive’ (pun intended) thanks to a well-cast group of actors, including the child actors who do their part convincingly. But to no one’s surprise, it is Plummer and Andrews’ stupendous leading acts that anchor this all-too-familiar story. The notions of one’s independence, and of exploring familial relationships deeply are to be admired. And when these subjects are brought forth on screen with Julie Andrews’ vivacity, the ride becomes all the more entertaining. Looking her loveliest in the plainest of clothes, Julie shines as the young Maria, who cannot help but spread a bit of cheer and curiosity wherever she goes.

Not only well-acted, The Sound of Music is a well-filmed movie too. Take, for instance, its opening sequence — that wide opening shot of Maria running among the greens of a meadow, surrounded by ice-blue mountains on either side. Frolicking and spinning at the very centre, the camera then zooms in on Julie, who takes her viewers with her on a small journey into the picturesque locales of Salzburg. That now iconic shot of Andrews with her arms outstretched, as if embracing nature, was shot with the help of a big helicopter.

“That opening shot really is the quintessential picture poster shot. We had a terrible difficulty shooting that scene. That shot was filmed with me walking across the field from one end, and a helicopter coming down from the tree on the other end. There was a cameraman hanging onto the side of the helicopter to shoot me. But every time the helicopter left for its base (the scene was done many times), I would be completely flattened to the ground because of its downdraft,” Andrews had said during an earlier recording for the American Film Institute. And thanks to her willingness to be pushed to the ground like that multiples times, we now have a great moment of cinema reserved for the ages. Guess, that is what is called ‘for the sake of art.’

You can watch The Sound of Music on Google Play.

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Hollywood Rewind | The Sound of Music: Julie Andrews still manages to make hearts sing

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