The Sound of Music. (U)

A timeless peak of musical cinema.

Sixty years after its release, The Sound of Music remains one of cinema’s most enduring success stories. Robert Wise’s lavish adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s stage musical was a phenomenon in 1965, winning five Oscars and redefining what a Hollywood blockbuster could be. Today, it stands as both a nostalgic touchstone and a benchmark for family storytelling on a grand scale.

At its heart is Julie Andrews, now celebrating her 90th birthday, in a performance that still radiates warmth and vitality. As Maria, she embodies an optimism and generosity of spirit that have long outlasted the trends and cynicism of modern cinema. The songs are as infectious as ever, the landscapes still breathtaking, and that soaring opening shot above the Alps remains one of the most iconic in film history..

It may well be the most successful screen adaptation of a musical ever made. Very few films have inspired such enduring affection across generations. Yes, it’s sentimental (gloriously so) but that sincerity is why it remains one of the most beloved films in movie history