Rating: 
Country: USA
Release Date: November 15, 2005
Distributor: Fox Home Entertainment
Director:
· Robert Wise
Cast:
· Julie Andrews
· Christopher Plummer
· Richard Haydn
· Nicholas Hammond
· Angela Cartwright
Related Sites:
· IMDb
Grade: A+
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DVD Review: The Sound of Music (40th Anniversary Edition)
by R.J. Carter
Published: November 11, 2005
There are certain movies that stop us when we see them -- not for the first time, but for that twentieth or forty-fifth, or umpteenth time. It doesn't matter whether it's near the beginning, right at the end, or solidly in the middle, you stop what you're doing, sit down, and watch, instantly knowing what has already happened, and what's just about to happen.
"The Sound of Music" is one of those films, filled with a score of songs that millions know by heart. Adapted from the real-life adventures of the von Trapp Family Singers, this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic brought together Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews, with Angela Cartwright (Lost in Space), Nicholas Hammond (The Amazing Spider-Man), Richard Haydn ("Young Frankenstein") and others, and was filmed on location in Salzburg, Austria. Now, forty years later, this film has been digitally restored to an extraordinary brilliant luster, this DVD anniversary version is destined to become one of your favorite things.
Main Menu
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The first disc opens with Julie Andrews introducing the film and postulating on what makes "The Sound of Music" so enduring. The main menu then displays, featuring a looping film clip of Julie and the kids singing. You could, of course, jump directly into the movie from here, but look around: you can select two different commentary tracks -- one with Robert Wise, the other reuniting Julie Andrews with Charmian Carr, Dee Dee Wood, and Johannes von Trapp; there is a singalong option with lyrics displaying in English, French or Spanish (although the French lyrics aren't available for "Maria" and "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" -- apparently the typist ran out of time before production time, something I can relate to.) In the special features menu you also have a chapter index to the movie -- not by scene, but by song, which would be a very useful thing to have.
The Language Menu allows for audio setup in English 5.0 Surround, English Stereo, French Surround, and Spanish Mono, with subtitles in English, Spanish.
Special Features Menu, Disc 2
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Once you've plowed through all this, you may have forgotten that in your case there is a second disc with even more treasures to discover. This one begins with another introduction by Julie Andrews, who gives a verbal index to all the special features on this disc. Charmian Carr ("Liesl") narrates an "on location" documentary on salzburg, showing key scenes past and present -- the place hasn't changed much in the past 40 years -- and is then joined by the rest of the actors who played the Von Trapp children to look back on what it was like to be in the film as well as provide a little "where are they now." Steve Linder, Thomas Lightburn and Melissa Peterman (Reba) help narrate a featurette on the phenomenon of audience singalongs for "The Sound of Music" (Lightburn describes it as "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" on Prozac.) Peter Graves hosts an episode of A&E;'s Biography on the Von Trapps that alone is worthy of it's own DVD release.
1993 Film Transfer vs. 2005 Film Restoration vs. the final digital restorations are shown in split-screen comparisons, and a thirty-five second clip of a young Mia Farrow auditioning for the role of Liesl. Seven trailers and three galleries round out this collection of truly special features.
Previews on this edition include anniversary releases of other Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, "State Fair" and "Oklahoma!".
No DVD collection can be considered complete without the addition of this 40th anniversary edition. Crisp in sound and rich in color, home theater systems across the country will be alive with "The Sound of Music."
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Disc 1
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Disc 2
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Feature Film
Singalong
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My Favorite Things: Julie Andrews Remembers (1:03:18)
Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer: A Reminiscence (20:21)
On Location With The Sound of Music (22:31)
From Liesl to Gretl: A 40th Anniversary Reunion (33:30)
When You Know the Notes to Sing: A Singalong Phenomenon (12:45)
Biography - The Von Trapp Family: Harmony and Discord (46:28)
Restoration Comparison
Mia Farrow Screen Test (0:35)
Trailers & TV Spots
Still Galleries
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CD Giveaway - Paper Bird, "Rooms"
Ends May 28, 2013
Drifting ever so slightly away from traditional folk music, this Colorado band delivers harmony and energy aplenty. |
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