A Film For Family Gatherings: The Sound Of Music

BY MEGHAN VANCE • November 20, 2023

As we approach the holiday season, families start looking for activities to do together, and many families choose to watch movies. There are usually big-budget movies released during this season, as well as holiday favorites that re-appear on store shelves and streaming platforms. However, if you’re looking for a musical film that the whole family can watch together, there may be no better choice than The Sound Of Music.

THE FILM AS A CONVERSATION STARTER

When it was released, The Sound Of Music broke box-office records in 29 countries. AFI (American Film Institute) in 2007 ranked the film as #40 of all American films, and in 2006, ranked the film as #4 on their list of film musicals. The soundtrack was ranked by Billboard as #2 in their list of the greatest albums of all time. Filmed in 1964 and released in 1965, the movie is now nearly 60 years old. All of this means that the movie can be a great way to open conversations between generations. With your own family, try starting the conversation with some of these questions:

• Does anyone remember the first time they saw the movie?
• Have you played any songs from the film for your music lessons?
• If your family were cast in the film, what characters would they play?
• What is each family member’s favorite musical?
• What music has been important in your own family?

THE FILM AS AN INTRODUCTION TO MUSICALS

Family members may already be familiar with Julie Andrews, thanks to her children’s books or work in other kid-friendly films such as “The Princess Diaries” or the Disney musical “Mary Poppins.” “The Sound Of Music” can serve as a great introduction to other musicals, such as the ones listed below:

• Other musicals composed by Rodgers & Hammerstein:
  • Cinderella, written specifically for Julie Andrews
  • Oklahoma!
  • The King And I
  • The Flower Drum Song
• Other musicals starring Julie Andrews or her close friend Carol Burnett:
  • My Fair Lady
  • Camelot
  • Cinderella
  • Mary Poppins
  • Annie
  • Once Upon A Mattress
• Enjoy exploring Andrews’ & Burnett’s spoofs of musicals:
  • The Sound Of Music
  • The Phantom Of The Opera
• Enjoy exploring Andrews’ & Burnett’s medleys of more recent pop music:
  • Songs From Musicals
    • Part of their 1962 Carnegie Hall performance
  • Songs Of The Sixties
    • Part of their 1971 Lincoln Center performance
  • Songs Of The Seventies & Eighties
    • Part of their 1989 “Together Again” performance

THE FILM AS AN INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC HISTORY

The movie takes place during World War II, and showcases the country of Austria. During World War II, many composers and musicians were forced to emigrate. However, both before and after the war, Austria’s capital city, Vienna, has been regarded as an important musical city, particularly starting in the Classical era. Below you can see a list of a dozen famous composers born in Austria. Many more, such as Beethoven and Brahms, spent time there.

The movie especially highlights the city of Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. In fact, in one movie scene, Maria and the children cross a bridge in Salzburg known as the Mozart bridge. The Salzburg Festival, one of the largest classical music festivals, started in 1920. It takes place each summer. In her book “The Story of The Trapp Family Singers,” Maria Augusta Trapp writes about performing in the festival.

• Austrian Composers:
  • Alban Berg
  • Anton Bruckner
  • Carl Czerny
  • Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf
  • Joseph Haydn
  • Franz Liszt
  • Gustav Mahler
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
  • Franz Schubert
  • Johann Strauss II
  • Anton Webern

The movie especially highlights the city of Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. In fact, in one movie scene, Maria and the children cross a bridge in Salzburg known as the Mozart bridge. The Salzburg Festival, one of the largest classical music festivals, started in 1920. It takes place each summer. In her book “The Story of The Trapp Family Singers,” Maria Augusta Trapp writes about performing in the festival.

The Sound Of Music is a classic tale, telling several intertwined stories: a widower learning to love again, a family in the midst of a world war, the coming of age of a young woman. The story of a family brought together by music may even prompt your family to share music together this holiday season.