The Sound of Music

Directed by Robert Wise. Cast: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker

Maria (Julie Andrews), is sent off to work as a governess to seven unruly children. The Von Trapp family is run, in military style, by the seemingly cold-hearted Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer), a lonely widowed naval officer. Seeing how badly he and his children need companionship, he proposes to the Baroness Schraeder (Eleanor Parker), a calculating, mutual friend of beloved family friend Max Detweiler (Richard Haydn). It is the baroness who soon realises that it’s Maria–with her warmth and love for the children–the captain really loves. It is nearly bliss for the newly formed family who loves to sing together–except for the cloud looming over their beloved Austrian horizon: Hitler is ascending to power, forcing Von Trapp to decide whether to join the Nazi party–which he loathes–or force his family to leave their home forever. One of the most memorable scores ever written (by Rodgers and Hammerstein) and breathtaking performances by Andrews, Plummer, and the seven children mark this classic as one of the world’s most favourite films.