The Hills Are Alive: A Review of The Sound of Music

If you haven't seen The Sound of Music yet, you are missing out on a major classic. Released in 1965, the movie tells the true story of the Von Trapp family in Salzburg, Austria, during World War II. The family consists of a strict father and his seven children , but the story really kicks off when a woman named Maria enters their lives.

Maria starts out as a nun in an abbey, but she isn’t exactly the best at it. She was known for being incompetent, showing up late, and singing when she wasn't supposed to. Because of these issues, she gets removed from the abbey and sent to the Von Trapp palace to work as a governess.

When she arrives, things are intense. The Captain is skeptical of her informal attitude  and runs his house like a military base. He actually whistles to summon his kids—Liesl, Friedrich, Louisa, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta, and Gretl—instead of calling their names. He has strict rules: no playing, no music, and a strict bedtime.

Maria, however, is a music lover who wants to show the kids the beauty of song. She takes them to parks every day, teaches them how to sing , and even makes them play clothes out of her old drapes. But Maria’s free spirit clashes hard with the Captain’s strict order. When he returns from a trip to Vienna and catches the children breaking the rules , the tension explodes, leaving the viewer wondering if Maria will be able to stay with the family at all.

Credit: IMDB

For high schoolers watching this, the romance between 16-year-old Liesl and a boy named Rolf is a huge highlight. Liesl sneaks out to dance and talk with Rolf, finding the comfort in him that she doesn't get from her strict father. It seems like the perfect escape, but as the political climate in Austria changes, their relationship faces some serious, heartbreaking challenges that test Liesl's trust.

The film also does a great job showing the realities of World War II. Captain Von Trapp faces a serious moral dilemma regarding the Navy and the impending war. He has to decide between serving a regime he doesn't believe in or protecting his family. This conflict forces the Captain to make a life-altering choice that puts the entire family in danger.

Ultimately, The Sound of Music is a must-watch because it mixes history, romance, and friendship perfectly. It reminds us that everyone needs a place to belong, especially when the environment around you feels unwelcoming. You will have to watch to see if the Von Trapps can find their harmony before it is too late.