The Sound of Music (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Special Edition)
starring: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood
directed by: Robert Wise
directed by: Robert Wise
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Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Twentieth Century Fox
EAN: 0024543208389
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Item Dimensions:
Label: 20th Century Fox
Languages:
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
MPN: FOXD2230839D
Number Of Items: 2
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Region Code: 1
Release Date: November 15, 2005
Running Time: 174 minutes
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Theatrical Release Date: 1965
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Studio: Tcfhe Release Date: 11/04/2008 Run time: 174 minutes Rating: G
Amazon.com essential video:
When Julie Andrews sang "The hills are alive with the sound of music" from an Austrian mountaintop in 1965, the most beloved movie musical was born. To be sure, the adaptation of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II's Broadway hit has never been as universally acclaimed as, say, Singin' in the Rain. Critics argue that the songs are saccharine (even the songwriters regretted the line "To sing through the night like a lark who is learning to pray") and that the characters and plot lack the complexity that could make them more interesting. It's not hard to know whom to root for when your choice is between cute kids and Nazis.
 Read our interview with Charmian Carr, who played Liesl von Trapp in The Sound of Music. |
The DVDs
As if the direct involvement of Julie Andrews weren't enough, the 40th Anniversary Edition of The Sound of Music is a must-have for fans because of the fond sense of nostalgia that will touch all but the worst cynic's heart. Andrews introduces both discs and contributes a commentary track on the film. It's a joy to hear her speak about the film (for example, she explains how she solved her dislike for the lyrics of "I Have Confidence"), and also heard are remarks by Christopher Plummer (who at one point refers to his being 48, which if true would mean his comments were made in about 1975), Charmian Carr (Liesl), choreographer Dee Dee Wood, and Johannes Von Trapp (the real-life Maria Von Trapp's youngest son, who admits that his father did have a whistle but claims that he was not as stern as portrayed in the film). Even with all those people involved, there are still significant gaps of silence, however. Retained from the previous two-disc editions is the commentary track by director Robert Wise, which during the musical numbers becomes an isolated score with no vocals. Also new are sing-along subtitles in English, Spanish, and French, which allow you to have your own sing-along at home. In addition, the film's remastering shows off a truer and much warmer sense of color.
On the second disc, Andrews participates in a new 63-minute documentary "My Favorite Things: Julie Andrews Remembers." But it's really a general making-of documentary with contributions from a number of principals, including director Robert Wise, who died in mid-2005 (not surprisingly, some stories are repeated from the commentary track and from the 87-minute documentary on the previous DVD). Andrews also shares a warm 19-minute sit-down with Christopher Plummer. Carr, who over the years has become the film's biggest advocate, narrates a new 22-minute documentary, "On Location with The Sound of Music," in which she revisits the places in Salzburg where the movie was filmed, and even joins one of the "Sound of Music tours" that have become a booming industry. And acknowledging another big industry, there's a 12-minute featurette on the sing-along phenomenon, focusing specifically on the audience, costumed and otherwise, that attended a sold-out Hollywood Bowl sing-along in 2005. Making special appearances at the event are four von Trapp great-grandchildren and all seven of the actors who played the children. Thankfully, those actors also appear in a 33-minute documentary "From Liesl to Gretl: A 40th Anniversary Reunion," in which they explain what they do now (many are still in show business) and share stories about the film, who was afraid of Christopher Plummer, and what they feel is their responsibility to the film's passionate fans. What's touching is how the group still considers themselves a family so many years later. Other material includes an A&E documentary on the von Trapps, Mia Farrow's screen test for the Liesl role, and a restoration comparison.
What's Missing?
If you already own the previous two-disc editions, you'll want this 40th Anniversary Edition as well, but you might not want to toss those versions. Probably the most significant omission from this edition is the original 14-minute documentary Charmian Carr made in 1967, "Salzburg Sight and Sound." Carr's new documentary includes only a couple clips from the vintage piece. It's not a great work of art, but it's a notable loss and would have made a good contrast with the new documentary. In addition, the new making-of documentary is about 24 minutes shorter than the old one. Also missing are the audio-only features--the interviews, the radio programs, the Ernest Lehman spotlight--and the historical still gallery examining the history of Salzburg and the film. Granted, this material probably got the least play of any of the old features, but completists might want to hold onto their old discs for it. It would have also been nice to have screen tests other than Farrow's. Tests for all the children and for Christopher Plummer (including singing in his own voice before he was dubbed for the film) were included on Hollywood Screen Tests and Rodgers and Hammerstein: The Sound of Movies. Again, they're not critical but it would have been nice to have them all in one place. So maybe the 40th Anniversary Edition isn't the complete package on The Sound of Music, but it's the most satisfying edition yet, with enough new material to please even the veteran SoM DVD watcher. --David Horiuchi
Stills from The Sound of Music (Click for larger image)
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Average Rating: 
Rating:
- It Rises to Every Occasion!I'm not going to bother giving a synopsis as everyone out there knows what this film is about and for those of you who don't it's plastered all over this site. I will tell you about the dvd. As a self proclaimed SOM addict I would highly recommend this version. It has loads of extras not included on the other dvd releases. Including a new commentary track (which is a cut and paste of comments (some you have heard already through out the extras on the disc) and a documentary on the von Trapps ... Read More
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- A timeless classic!Now I've owned this movie on VHS for years and years and enjoyed it so much so when I decided to convert it to DVD and it didn't work because of some copyright encoding I was really upset.
I went to Amazon.com to find myself a replacement and lo and behold, here was the 40th Anniversary edition of The Sound of Music. Sold!
This has been remastered and is in surround sound. The first time I watched it I was blown away. I caught details in the film that I didn't even know were there! It ... Read More
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- "THE" Best Movie Classic of all Time!I have watched this movie fully at least 5 times so far in my short life (maybe up to 15 when I saw selected scenes). I can't think of any late 20th or early 21st century movies that even come close to beating the Sound of Music. Many of today's movies have too much crude humor, violence, and especially sex. Even some of today's PG movies are not very appropriate for children.
I believe every child should be required to watch this movie and write an essay on it at least once before graduating ... Read More
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- What are you waiting for?This is why I regret buying a Blu Ray player. No classics...only new movies! Why doesn't the studio release Sound of Music on Blu Ray? There's no excuse!
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- The Sound of MusicWould have to be one of my all time favourite classics. It has everything to offer in a movie. Julie Andrews at her best. A movie that would never be out dated. The first scene in particular, flowing over the mountain ranges to the green hills where Maria (Julie Andrews) is standing, is an ever lasting image.
