The Sound of Music

Reviewed by Leigh Kimmel

Julie Andrews stars as Maria, a headstrong nun who loves music, in this musical classic of love and courage.

Maria can't seem to fit into the staid convent, so her sisters send her to become a governess for the children of the widowed Baron von Trapp, a retired Austrian naval officer. Although intially somewhat overawed by the military punctilio of their household, Maria soon uses her gentle nature to win over not only the children, but the Baron himself. But when she realizes that their love is blossoming into something more than appreciation, the frightened Maria flees back to the convent. However, the mother superior tells her that she must not use religion as an escape from the problems of life. Maria is released from her vows and she returns to the Von Trapp estate to wed the Baron.

Unfortunately their domestic happiness is not to be long-lived, for the larger world of politics intrudes in the form of the Anschluss, Nazi Germany's forcible annexation of Austria. The Nazis want to force the Baron into their service, but he can see through their appearances and see the evil in their hearts. However, he is to be permitted one final concert with his family before he reports to duty, and he sees in it a chance for a daring escape. The open-air concert is held at night, with flickering torches and swastika banners that give it an eerie resemblance to the infamous Nazi political rallies.

Their escape is nearly foiled, but Maria leads her new family back to the safety of her old. The sisters of the convent hide the von Trapps and distract the Nazi pursuers long enough for them to make good their escape.

I want to buy The Sound of Music in VHS format.

If you enjoyed Julie Andrews as Maria, you may also want to see her as Mary Poppins in the movie of the same name.

Take me back to the video list

Take me back to the bookstore entrance

Want to look for other titles of interest?

Books Music Enter keywords...


Amazon.com logo

Review posted December 16, 1998