The Sound of Music (1965)

84% of critics liked it
(50 reviews)
86% of users liked it
(533,554 ratings)

One of the most popular movie musicals of all time, The Sound of Music is based on the true story of the Trapp Family Singers. Julie Andrews stars as Maria, a young nun in an Austrian convent who regularly misses her morning prayers because she enjoys going to the hills to sing the title song.… More One of the most popular movie musicals of all time, The Sound of Music is based on the true story of the Trapp Family Singers. Julie Andrews stars as Maria, a young nun in an Austrian convent who regularly misses her morning prayers because she enjoys going to the hills to sing the title song. Deciding that Maria needs to learn something about the real world before she can take her vows, the Mother Superior (Peggy Wood) sends her off to be governess for the children of the widowed Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). Arriving at the Trapp home, Maria discovers that her new boss is cold and aloof, and his seven children virtual automatons-at least, whenever the Captain is around. Otherwise, the kids are holy terrors, as evidenced by the fact that Maria is the latest in a long line of governesses. But Maria soon ingratiates herself with the children, especially oldest daughter Liesl (Charmian Carr), who is in love with teenaged messenger boy Rolf. As Maria herself begins to fall in love with the Captain, she rushes back to the Abbey so as not to complicate his impending marriage to a glamorous baroness (Eleanor Parker). But the children insist that Maria return, the Baroness steps out of the picture, and Maria and the Captain confirm their love in the song "Something Good." Unhappily, they return home from their honeymoon shortly after the Nazis march into Austria. Already, swastikas have been hung on the Von Trapp ancestral home, and Liesl's boyfriend Rolf has been indoctrinated in the "glories" of the Third Reich. The biggest blow occurs when Von Trapp is called back to active duty in the service of the Fuhrer. The Captain wants nothing to do with Nazism, and he begins making plans to take himself and his family out of Austria. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 2 hr. 54 min.
Directed By: Robert Wise
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics

In Theaters: Mar 2, 1965 Wide
On DVD: Aug 21, 2000
Studio: 20th Century-Fox

Critic Reviews

, TIME Magazine
In dialogue, song and story, Music still contains too much sugar, too little spice.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Every audience sniffle and tear has been taken into account.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
The septet of blond and beaming youngsters who have to act like so many Shirley Temples and Freddie Bartholomews when they were young do as well as could be expected with their assortedly artificial roles, but the adults are fairly horrendous.
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
The movie has almost everything: music, romance, kids, spectacular scenery, religion, sentiment, comedy high and low, and, at the end, intrigue and adventure.
, Variety
A warmly pulsating, captivating drama.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Outstanding family film features glorious music.
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
I'm no longer Friedrich. I'm no longer 14. And I'm no longer a boy. So why does this movie continue to haunt my nightmares?
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
The Sound of Music is high-fructose corn-syrupy, built on simplistic psychology, unnaturalistic acting and historical inaccuracy. It's also well-nigh irresistible. [Blu-ray]
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
The Sound of Music has one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's best scores, and that's saying something. It's a warm and wonderful movie that has "timeless" written all over it.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It grows on one like edelweiss.
, Film4
Escapist films about, well, escaping, don't come any better than this.
Xan Brooks, Guardian [UK]
Check your cynicism at the door: Robert Wise's adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical still has a little soul in its bones.
Rory L. Aronsky, Screen It!
See website for more details.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
God, The Sound of Music is so freakin' nice.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
It's so perfectly contrived and mechanical and fresh as a daisy, it's infuriating. And only the sly, insistently subversive Christopher Plummer is on our side.
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy
One of the finest examples of escapist musical entertainment. The Sound of Music is a terrific picture.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Labeled "Sound of Money," this is Hollywood musical as its most calculating, with something for everyone: corny anti-Nazi politics, melodic tunes, schmaltzy romance, old-fashioned family values
Dragan Antulov, Index.hr
jedan od najvoljenijih filmova svih vremena
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Call me a drongo, but this really is quite watchable (yes, I've seen it more than once).

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Alexander D

Despite the feeling of some that THE SOUND OF MUSIC is overrated, I truly believe it is slightly underrated, if anything, and as for the length, it suits the film perfectly. I can admit that the opening scene in which Julie Andrews is spinning around in the fields, singing, "The… More
Despite the feeling of some that THE SOUND OF MUSIC is overrated, I truly believe it is slightly underrated, if anything, and as for the length, it suits the film perfectly. I can admit that the opening scene in which Julie Andrews is spinning around in the fields, singing, "The hills are alive with the sound of music," is pretty corny, and is a tedious scene to be brought on from time to time as "memorable". But overall, this film is wonderful, and a great family musical, with better songs than even MARY POPPINS.
Brad W

A classic musical, very cool and fun, a all time american movie, I love it.
moon r

There are two parts to this movie: the first is the blossoming romance between a Austrian baron and the governess of his seven children, and the second part's about Nazi encroachment into Austria. For years I've avoided this ever-so-famous musical and for just that very… More
There are two parts to this movie: the first is the blossoming romance between a Austrian baron and the governess of his seven children, and the second part's about Nazi encroachment into Austria. For years I've avoided this ever-so-famous musical and for just that very reason (how could anything so popular be any good?) but I write now to say that I was wrong. About a family coming together? Yes. And in difficult times? Yes. Inspirational? Yes.
Bethany M

A childhood favourite and a classic!
Bently L

Such a wonderful film! It must be me but I personally believe that "The Sound of Music" has the marks of being a perfect movie. Yes, I think this is a perfect movie! For a movie to be perfect, it has to include these elements: -Drama -Plenty of comedy -Action (if… More
Such a wonderful film! It must be me but I personally believe that "The Sound of Music" has the marks of being a perfect movie. Yes, I think this is a perfect movie! For a movie to be perfect, it has to include these elements: -Drama -Plenty of comedy -Action (if necessary) -Edge-of-your-seat moments "The Sound of Music" has three of those elements. So to me, its a perfect movie. The plot follow an Austrian woman named Maria whose job as a nun comes to an end after the Reverend Mother learns of her extreme love for music and singing. She is then picked to be a governess for the Von Trapp family. The father of the family runs a real tight ship and the seven children never have time for fun. However when Maria comes to stay, fun and music runs into the family's heart. And in the viewers as well. The film has some of the most memorable performances in cimema. Julie Andrew's performance as Maria is outstanding. Christopher Plummer's performance of Captain Von Trapp is outstanding and powerful. Nowadays, it is very hard to find a movie in where there are no weak supporting actors. There is none in "The Sound of Music". The child actors are so fantastic in this film! This is when children used to act, folks! Now they just put them in movies and TV because of their cute faces. Little do they know they have no talent. The children are believable, realistic, and wonderul, lovable, and memorable. It is a musical, my friends. The songs have some of the catchiest tunes and top-notch and uplifting lyrics I have heard in a film's soundtrack. Every song is great! EVERY SINGLE ONE! "The Sound of Music" is one of the best family films and one of the best films, period. This is one of those movie that are perfect from beginning to end like "The Godfather" or "Up". You're a sinner if you don't show love for this one. "I want to show her my finger."
Jeremy S

A stroke of pure cinema and musical genius by two of Hollywood's greatest musical composers Rodgers and Hammerstein, who's names have become synonymous with the Hollywood musical. From the famous opening shot of Maria daydreaming, standing arms open wide on top of a mountain… More
A stroke of pure cinema and musical genius by two of Hollywood's greatest musical composers Rodgers and Hammerstein, who's names have become synonymous with the Hollywood musical. From the famous opening shot of Maria daydreaming, standing arms open wide on top of a mountain singing one of the greatest songs in cinema "The Sound of Music" through the Von Trapp family, the romance and marriage and the war to the end credits of the family escaping over the mountains The Sound of Music is filled with a mixture of comedy, love, romance, suspense and the most wonderful collection of songs one film has ever held. Such songs as the incomparable "The Sound of Music", "Maria," "My Favorite Things," "You Are Sixteen, Going On Seventeen," "Climb Every Mountain," "Do-Re-Mi," and "Edelweiss." The Sound of Music stands as the monumental musical, imitated but never duplicated, a musical masterpiece that celebrates music of every kind from a symphonic waltz to a simple guitar, epic and intimate. Not only a musical milestone, The Sound of Music has become a cultural event, as such I have been on the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg, Austria, one of the highest grossing films of all time and certainly one of the most popular films ever. A personally much loved classic that strikes a note in every heart. Winner of my Best Film from the 1960's.
Candy R

Execellent movie based on a true story about the VonTrapp Family. Love the music. Julie Andrews voice is angelic. Christopher Plummer as Captain VonTrapp is very dashing. Movie about a governess who falls in love with her employer and his 7 children. Set in Austria just before WWI.
AJ V

There are way too many good things I could say about this movie, but I'll just say that this is one of the best musicals ever made, period.
Richard C

i hate this movie. i hate all the songs. its really boring. F
Conner R

A bizarre Nazi musical with dozens of blond children running around singing about their fears, it makes no logistical sense but can be a lot of fun. Who ever knew that music was the weakness of the Third Reich? I can't really say that this is a bad movie, it's not, the sets… More
A bizarre Nazi musical with dozens of blond children running around singing about their fears, it makes no logistical sense but can be a lot of fun. Who ever knew that music was the weakness of the Third Reich? I can't really say that this is a bad movie, it's not, the sets and shots are well done and some of the grandest for a musical. However, it's ridiculously lengthy and one-noted most of the time. The story didn't warrant a three hour running time and it honestly ruins what could have been something much better. Without all those cheesy heart felt scenes, this could have been "THE" WWII musical.
erika b

really good kids film
♥˩ƳИИ &

Just didn't enjoy this movie. It put me to sleep. Nuff said.
Lady D

It?s been a while! Anyone who has visitied Austria can appreciate it?s beauty which is portrayed in the film. A very long film, which brings music, adventure, a partly true story and a political agenda. A much laughed at film, but I guess you have to have a love of musicals to… More
It?s been a while! Anyone who has visitied Austria can appreciate it?s beauty which is portrayed in the film. A very long film, which brings music, adventure, a partly true story and a political agenda. A much laughed at film, but I guess you have to have a love of musicals to entertain this. An enjoyable rewatch, which sparked a lot of nostalgia.
Anthony L

Was never a favourite of mine but it?s good in places. I do hate the songs though!
danny d

aside from a few moments of pure absurdity, its obvious why sound of music is considered one of the greatest musicals in history. a beautiful story, solid music, great characters, and stunning locations lead up to a final act that i found to be nearly perfect. a wonderful film.
Thomas B

one of the landmark movies of the century, an undeniable classic
Jennifer X

It's campy and long, but I love it. Julie Andrews makes a perfectly adorable nun-gone-bad-gone-Jewish-fugitive.
Fernando Rafael Q

After many months of pressure by my friend Stephanie, I finally gave in and watched THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and I thank her for introducing me to this magical, heartwarming movie. It's obviously a classic, and has some of my favorite things (no pun intended): beautiful shots, lovely… More
After many months of pressure by my friend Stephanie, I finally gave in and watched THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and I thank her for introducing me to this magical, heartwarming movie. It's obviously a classic, and has some of my favorite things (no pun intended): beautiful shots, lovely score, some nice songs, great costumes, amazing performances (by the queen Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer), and good writing and directing. The whole Nazi story is an excellent contrast to the overwhelming "niceness" of the film, and the last third is great (reminded me a little of Hitchcock).
Dean M

Julie Andrews makes a very delightful performance as the real-life recalcitrant nun who become governess to the seven kids of an austere baron. Wonderful memorable songs, such as "Climb Every Mountain" and "Edelweiss", are brilliantly integrated.
Alice S

Aired on ABC Family a couple months ago...and I was pleasantly surprised at how freakin' sexy that whole dance scene between Maria and Captain Von Trapp out on the terrace is.