The Sound of Music

Here is one of my favorite things, the Sound of Music. Every Christmas, I along with other viewers tuned in and escape to Salzburg Austria, to the home of the von Trapp family.

Maybe it is no coincidence that the movie airs every year just before Christmas. Salzburg Austria is not only the magnificent film location of the Sound of Music, but the birth place of Silent Night (1818).

The film was based on the real von Trapp family, an Austrian singing family of the former naval commander Gerog von Trapp. Like in the movie, they escaped the deteriorating situation in Austria and emigrated to the United States, where they performed as the Trapp Family Singers. They went on to establish the Trapp Family Ski Lodge in Vermont. I guess you could say, the hills are still alive for the von Trapp's.

I think the Sound of Music is one of if not my favourite movie of all time. There is something magical about the music combined the dancing, the costumes and the breath taking scenery of the Austrian alps, that captivates me as a viewer. The Sound of Music is a great reminder of the golden era of Hollywood movies.

One of my most favourite scenes is the wedding when Maria walks down the aisle in her elegant wedding gown and lavish train. The dress had a 1960's feel, even though the movie takes place in the late 1930's. Either way, the dress is grand and worthy of a royal princess.

Julie Andrews was born for the role of Baronin Maria. Her beautiful singing voice captivates the audience and yet she was beautiful without being too glamorous, as the young woman who would never become a nun. Slowly the love story between Maria and Captain von Trapp develops with stolen glances and their love of music.

Georg von Trapp was played by the iconic actor Christopher Plummer, a Canadian and the great grandson of our third Prime Minister John Abbott. Mr. Plummer made his start on Broadway, but it was the Sound of Music that won him great acclaim. Even though he said the movie was not his cup of tea (and jam), he did see it as one of the last great family Hollywood movies. Which may explain why the movie today is just as popular and loved.

Unfortunately we lost this legendary actor just yesterday, he was 91 years young. But he will always be alive in the Sound of Music. To Captain von Trapp we say so long and farewell!