"TheSoundofMusic"isanimpressivemusicalthatstandsaboveotherfilmsofthegenrebecauseofinterestingcharacters,top-notchdirection,andatrulyinspiredscreenplay.JulieAndrews(Oscar-nominated)starsastheyoungnunwholeavestheconventtobecomethegovernesstoalargefamily.Sheisinstantlyatoddswiththechildren'sfather(ChristopherPlummer),buttheysoonfallinloveandgetmarried.However,evilforceslurkoverheadastheNazisinvadetheirhomelandofAustria.Somewhatbasedonatruestory,"TheSoundofMusic"isoneofthoseraremusicalsthatworksbecausethereisasenseoffearanddramainthefilm'sfinalact.Thismakesthefilmbelievableandnoneofthemusicalnumberstakeawayfromthestoryorthefilm'sdirection.

　　ThestoryinthefilmisanadaptationofthereallifestoryofMariaandtherestoftheVanTrappFamily,whobecameaquitepopularsinginggroupinthe'40sand'50s.Theirtaleofmeetingandmarrying,offacingNaziaggressionduringtheAnschlussorannexationofAustriabyHitler'sThirdReich,wasfirstpublishedasanautobiography,thenadaptedbyRodgersandHammersteinforasuccessfulBroadwaymusical,andultimatelyturnedintothefeaturefilm.InthebeginningMariawasapplyingtobecomeanun,butherirrepressiblenatureandpredilectiontoburstintosongatamomentsnoticemadeherMotherAbessdecideperhapssheshouldtrybeingagoverness,andfindoutmoreaboutherselffirst.SheisplacedinchargeofthesevenVonTrappchildren,whosemotherhasdiedandarebeingkeptundersomemilitarybootcampexistencebytheirfather,whoisaretirednavalofficer.ThejoyfulMariaquicklychangesthingsandbringsmusicintothehouseandheartsofthechildren,andbringinglifeandloveintothehome.ThisisallundertheumbrellaofimpendingNazioccupation,whichisvocallyandpubliclyopposedbyCaptainVonTrapp,playedbyChristopherPlummer.