#8 The Sound of the Holidays

As the holidays are upon us, there seems to be a particular jingle in the air. The sound of yule-tide logs burning, Christmas carolers caroling, and hot cocoa warmly being sipped only gets better for me with a good old musical on. My family has a traditional "List" of holiday movies to watch from the end of Thanksgiving until Christmas Day. One of my favorites we watch, and the film I've picked to dissect in this post, is The Sound of Music. Not traditionally a "holiday" movie, the film is a favorite of my grandparents and thus ended up in our Holiday List each year.

Americans have been consumers of musicals long before the days of Julie Andrews. Being one of the genre's progenitors, the United States has birthed many great musicals in her day. From Hello, Dolly! To Hamilton, these musicals have soared to immense heights of popularity. They weave storytelling, music, and dance while immersing audiences in a live performance that emotionally excites them. Not confined to simply dialogue and soundtrack, musicals can evoke every hue of emotion and provide an escape from the clutches of bitter reality through show tunes and choreography. The Sound of Music is one of the all-time classics of the genre and with great reason. It has withstood the test of time to become an enduring piece of classical cinema.

 

The plot of The Sound of Music may have well landed out of a fairy tale. Maria is a spirited and lively young woman who starts the film living in a covenant in the Austrian Alps. She loves life and music and is unconventional by the nuns’ standards. After being assigned to be a governess for a widowed naval captain and his seven children, Maria brings this love of music to her newfound family. In the process, she falls in love with Captain von Trapp while Nazi Germany annexes Austria. When the captain must leave for Germany, the family plans to flee to Switzerland after the Salzburg Festival. With help from the nuns at the Abbey, the von Trapps can avoid persecution by the Nazis. The story appeals across generational lines while emphasizing the role of family, courage, and love. The von Trapps display of standing up in front of adversity only adds to the universality of The Sound of Music’s multiple messages.

 

In addition to some concrete plot workings, the music from The Sound of Music has resonated in the pop culture canon for decades. Tracks like “The Sound of Music,” “Do-Re-Mi,” and “So Long, Farewell” are ingrained in the memories of audience goers. It’s not hard to do when pop stars like Ariana Grande sample tunes like “My Favorite Things” into current chart-topping hits. While also being catchy earworms to listeners, the music and score of the film showcase the emotional journey we take in the movie. The lighthearted scenes in “I Have Confidence” resonate differently than in “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” where the von Trapps are escaping the impending dangers of Nazi Germany.

 

The visual splendor of the film is also a significant draw. The movie was filmed on location in Salzburg, Austria, which enhanced the film's overall charm. The opening scene with Maria spinning on a hilltop while singing "The Sound of Music" has become an iconic moment, showcasing the picturesque beauty of the Austrian countryside. The contrast between the serene natural landscapes and the impending war's encroaching darkness amplifies the storyline's emotional impact.

I enjoy The Sound of Music anytime I can watch it. Being one of the first films I watched alongside my grandparents when I was young, I travel back to their living room floor. The Sound of Music endures as a beloved classic due to its compelling narrative, memorable music, captivating visuals, and nuanced character development. These elements, masterfully intertwined, create a film that resonates across generations, capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide and solidifying its place as one of the most cherished and enduring musicals of all time.

Have any of you seen The Sound of Music? If not, what is your favorite movie to watch around the holidays?