The MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) rated The Sound Of Music G.

If you're under 25 and smugly believe there couldn't be anything new with The Sound Of Music's release on DVD -- think again.

Unless you caught this epic's last theatrical release in the early 1970's, chances are you've only seen Maria's tale immortalized in the VHS "formatted to fit your TV screen" version that butchered the visual creativity captured by director Robert Wise. Not only did we lose the huge frame meticulously filled with symmetrical sets, vast vistas, and intricate incidentals, but at least two of the von Trapp children were lopped off the sides of many scenes as well. Now digitally restored to DVD in it's original wide-screen panoramic splendor, you can finally see all the von Trapps as they dance around both sides of the fountain in Do Re Me.

Much care and attention has gone into refurbishing this masterpiece. The colors have been returned to their original hues, giving the film an incredibly fresh look, while the re-mastered audio allows us to really hear the sound of music.

Most of us are familiar with the three-hour story of Maria (Julie Andrews), a young woman who wants to become a nun, but is politely directed by her mother superior to spend some time as a governess and think about this decision. She quickly falls in love with the seven children and their navy hero father, Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). Not as familiar is the story of the real Maria and the von Trapp family. If you thought it was Hollywood hogwash, you can spend a few hours watching, listening, and reading the incredible collection of supplementary material included in this two-disc set, where you'll discover there is more fact than fiction to this tale.

The Sound Of Music is possibly the greatest "family" movie ever created, and in my opinion, is Rodgers and Hammerstein's greatest musical achievement. The beauty of Austria combined with this classic story of prevailing over opposition, is and ever will be, inspiring for all audiences. If you don't have a DVD player, the movie is readily available on VHS for rent or purchase. If you're musing about purchasing a DVD player, don't bring it home without this film that showcases the DVD format and the incredible educational experience it can provide.

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For an informative look at the technical details of restoring The Sound Of Music for its DVD release, as well as before and after images that demonstrate just how much better the film looks in its improved version, check: www.dvdreview.com/html/sound_of_music_special.shtml

The second disc of the DVD features an incredible 80-minute documentary produced by Michael Matessino and originally made for the 1993 LaserDisc release of the movie. Even more enlightening are the efforts Matessino went through to create the documentary, all of which are chronicled on a website located at: www.sharplinearts.com/diary/journalSOM.html

Finally, make sure you work through the exhaustive collection of information on the DVD's, which not only include history on the film, but also provide information on the real von Trapp family, Austria, and the rising conflicts that led to World War II.

Rod Gustafson

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