Critical Analysis of the Film "The Sound Of Music (1965)"

The Sound of Music is a musical with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein and music by Richard Rodgers. Russell Crouse and Howard Lindsay also wrote a book. The film is rooted in the memoir of Maria Von Trapp and set in Austria in 1938 on the eve of Anschluss- annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany that happened on 12th March 1938. The film follows the life of Maria a convent drop out who gets a job to work as a governess to a large family. Maria falls in love with both the widowed father, Captain Von Trapp and his children. He and Maria are forced to flee from Austria with the children after he opposes the Nazis and denies a commission in the German Navy. The film was produced by Broadway productions and starred by Christopher Plummer Julie Andrews and won five academy awards. The text below tries to analyze technical elements in the film such as its design, colors, sound, characters, shot, cinematography, and the effect of the film. The film inspired and entertained its audience as it will be shown below.

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The film was shot between 26th March 1964 - 20th August 1964 and 1st September. The shooting regions were Austria, Germany and Los Angeles in The United States of America ("Sound of Music (1965)".). For example, Maria's wedding was shot at the Mondsee cathedral, Mondose, upper Austria. The music festival scenes were also shot at Felsenreitschule in Salzburg Austria. Three different shooting spaces were used namely land, outdoor and in the studio. Shooting was by the 20th Century Fox Studios in Los Angeles, California, USA. The Mitchell BMC Camera with an anamorphic aperture and modern cinema system MCS-70 camera with a Todd-AO aperture were used to shoot the video. The camera angles used are eye-level shots and aerial shots. Aerial shots were used to show a large expansive scene like the marching of the German soldiers. The film was directed by Robert wise and edited by William Reynolds. Robert Wise also produced the film under the Argyle Enterprises, Inc. The cinematography-direction of photography was done by Ted D. McCord. The script of the film was written by Robert wise and casting done by Lee Wallace. A Westrex Recording system, under the supervision of James Corcoran with the help of Pamela Danover and others who are not credited recorded the movie. In the color of the film, processing the images by deluxe was used. It is different from the Technicolor processing which was the most vivid and expensive dye transfer process in the '60s. This is why the film looks different from today's film. The film was released on March 2, 1965, in the America its distribution to different parts of the country and beyond was by the Twentieth Century-Fox Film Company.

The film expresses emotional feelings. This is evident when Maria Von Trapp drops out of the convent to be with Captain Von Trapp. This makes the film dramatic poetry because it involves the narrative of someone in a difficult situation brought about by their emotional feelings. Another scenario is even in the middle of the movie's good music; trouble is brewing. The Nazis are almost marching into Austria and make it a part of Germany ("Sound of Music (1965)".). The Von Trapp family has to decide whether to flee while they still can or to stay and serve the new regime. This is a conflict which is a beating heart of Drama. The dramatic storyline gives the film some heft that many classical musicals lack.

The film is a movie musical romantic and dramatic adapted from a Broadway musical which through a sentimental and melodic story it depicts a rhapsodic family. A musical movie is when the film genre involving the singing of songs are by the characters and can be accompanied actions like dancing. The songs majorly develop the characters in the film and advance the plot of the film. The musical numbers of the film comment on the action and also move the story forward. Some of the numbers such as "bursting into song out of the blue" are traditional musicals, and others are meant to be real performances presented by the characters.

Life Rules Teachings from the Film

Being a musical, the numbers in the film entertain the audience. The film was also meant to teach a few life rules as discussed below.

• Believing in Oneself

Maria sings, "I have always longed for adventure, to do things I have never dared. And here I am facing adventure-then why am I so scared?" ("Sound of Music (1965)".). This is a situation faced by many people at some point in life - yearning to do something yet again terrified of the outcome. Maria is someone to look up to and that we can do anything we want only if we believe in ourselves.

• Running away does not solve problems

Occasions may come up in life when we feel to take a shortcut. You may think that ignoring the tribulations might make things better. On the contrary, this only makes the situation worse, and it is only better to face your problems as Maria learns from Mother Abbess. Ever thought of what would have happened if she had not gone back to Von Trapps?

• The family is most Important

The family has been and will always be the most definitive and central element in a person's life although at times they might be annoying and may let you down. The walk through the Alps might not have been the easiest hike on the planet, but they did not mind the toughness of the road ahead of them because they were stuck together.

• The family does not have to be by blood.

Max helped the family escape even though he was related to them and it was also against his ambitions and plans. He chooses to risk everything to help the Von Trapps to safety.

The film, Sound of Music is an inspiring, beautiful, timeless, and uplifting movie. It inspires people to forge ahead in life no matter the hurdles. The music in the film makes it beautiful, and it can be watched at any time hence it is timeless. This movie would however not be suitable for a 15-year-old for it does not maintain their level of coolness.

Themes

The film is a feel-good kind of movie with themes showing up as discussed below.

Love

There are various kinds of love in this film comprising of family love, love of God, warm woolen mittens music, mountains, and romantic love. The message of the movie can be said to be that true love can conquer grief, hardships, and fear. The Baroness and Rolfe are characters that come up as those that cannot love. Maria's loving heart brings everyone and everything together ("Sound of Music (1965)".)

Religion

For Maria, the love of God has always driven her decisions in life although her feelings for George are making her wonder about her priorities. She is determined to figure out the God's will for her even when she realized falling in love with the captain she accepts the mistake and gets back to God. The Reverend Mother assures her that she cannot be devoted to family and God at the same time and convinces her that finding God's will for her life is a religious obligation ("Sound of Music (1965)".). This decision could not have been made by Maria was it not for the religious justification.

War

It is the eve of the Nazi annexation of Austria. The threat of war is spread over the entire film, but the only military action is a shot of the Nazis marching into Salzburg. Just after the annexation, the Nazis start destroying Jews.

The element of music has been used successfully in this film. Apart from entertainment, it also expounds on the characters and pushing the movie forward.

The film strives for the feeling of love. Love for God is depicted by Maria's struggles to stay strong in religion. The action of her going back to the Von Trapps depicts family love. There is also love for music.

Conclusion

Conclusively, credits are at this moment given to the director, Robert Wise. Writers George Hurdalek, Howard Lindsay among others. The main characters were Julie Andrews- Maria, Christopher Plummer- Captain Von Trapp together with Eleanor Parker, the Baroness, and Richard Haydn- Max Detweiler. Music and lyrics was by Richard Rodgers, Saul Chaplin, and Ernest Lehman.

Works Cited

"Sound of Music (1965)". 2018. Print.