60 Years of the Sound of Music: How the Iconic Movie Lives On Today

Asha Denhoy

On the 2nd of March 1965, a movie called The Sound of Music was released. Little did the cast and crew know that sixty years later, the movie would have a lasting legacy, and it would impact and change the lives of thousands of people, including me. Not only that, but it would change the lives of the real von Trapp family, and become a cultural phenomenon. I had the opportunity to go to Salzburg over Independent Learning week, and experience the joy that was the Sound of Music in its original location, as well as attend a 60th anniversary gala featuring the original cast, the real family, and the theatre actors of the show. 

The story of the original von Trapp movie was not as full of joyous songs as the musical film was, and there was even a German movie released years earlier that was more truthful, but Rogers and Hammerstein took inspiration from the real Maria von Trapp’s memoir, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. Maria von Trapp was originally going to be a nun, and she did fall in love with a naval captain, but there was no ‘Do Re Mi’ or ‘My Favorite Things', and there was no Leisl or Gretl, with the children having different names. The family were singers though, and quite popular throughout Austria. The Nazis were eyeing Captain von Trapp to lead their navy, and the captain, ever loyal to the state of Austria, vehemently refused. After refusing three times, the family fled Austria, not hiking over the mountains but instead boarding a train to Italy just 24 hours before the Nazis shut down the borders. They ended up putting down roots in Stowe, Vermont, where they built a chalet for themselves, and eventually, they ended up converting it into a lodge, and even opened a brewery. The lodge is successful to this day, and as someone who goes to Vermont often, I can say that it is worth a visit. And you may be able to hear the faint voice of someone singing, or just get a good day of skiing in the process!

Image credit: Trapp Family Lodge

While they did not actually sing any of the iconic songs, the tunes and melodies by Rogers and Hammerstein live on to this day. ‘My Favorite Things’ was sampled in an Ariana Grande song (7 rings) and ‘Do, Re Mi’ has been used to teach generations of children to learn how to play music (me included!) For me though, ‘Edelweiss’ has a special meaning. It is a song that Captain von Trapp, played by the wonderful Christopher Plummer, sings about his love for his homeland in front of Nazi officers, and while not an official Austrian anthem, is still extremely relevant today as people all over the world fight for their rights. In my life, it is a song that connects me to my parents, who used to sing it to me to get me to go to sleep. Now, it is an inspirational message to me, with the words ‘bless my homeland forever’ symbolising my enthusiasm for defending my rights and speaking out against the prejudices and hate in the country I’m from. The songs stand the test of time, and they still give listeners an emotional feeling of nostalgia and joy every time they listen. 

Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, who play Maria and the Captain, lead a cast of actors who bring the story to life. I had the opportunity to see members of the cast in person at the Sound of Music 60th anniversary celebration in Salzburg, at the Rock Riding School theatre (iconic fans will remember this is the theatre where they sing at the end of the film). They talked about their experiences filming the movie, and a highlight was Kym Karath, who played Gretel, the youngest child, talking about how she almost drowned during the boat scene. The gala was co-hosted by Nicholas Hammond, who played Friedrich, and included not only the original cast, but also grandchildren of Maria von Trapp, and actors from the stage production, as well as musical performances (some in German), and a sing-along. I even got to meet Kym Karath (Gretl)!

The Sound of Music holds an emotional memory for millions of people including me, and in the 60 years since its release, it has inspired pop artists, helped more children learn music, and showed the power of music to bring joy to people all over the world. If you haven’t seen the movie, or haven’t watched it in a while, go back to it, tuck yourself in, and immerse yourself in the world of hills being alive, raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, and some of your favorite things!