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Blu-ray: Magnificent! The definitive release of "Sound of Music", November 5, 2010
"The Sound of Music", the 1965 20th Century Fox musical which would
capture the world with its memorable music and it's touching storyline
and continues to have thrived through various generations and will
continue to thrive for many generations hereafter.
The film is an
adaptation of a popular Broadway play which is based on the memoir "The
Story of the Trapp Family Singers" written by Maria von Trapp. The von
Trapp family are known for escaping from the Nazis in Austria after the
Anschluss (the annexation and occupation of Austria by Nazi Germany in
1938).
The original musical based on the book featured music by
Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II (both Rodgers and
Hammerstein were known for their music for "Oklahoma!", "Carousel",
"State Fair", "South Pacific", "The King and I" to name a few) which led
to the book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The Broadway
production began in 1959 starring Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel and
would later inspire a film adaptation in 1965 which was loosely based on
the Broadway production and memoir.
The film would become an
ultimate success as director Robert Wise (known for "West Side Story"
and "The Haunting") would win five Academy Awards for Best Director,
William Reynolds for Best Film Editing, Irwin Kostal for Best Music,
Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment, Best Picture and Best Sound.
The
film would be best known for its wonderful location of Salzburg,
Austria (which has inspired an actual "Sound of Music" tour which has
been functional for the last 30-years) but most of all, known for its
music which include "The Sound of Music", "Edelweiss", "My Favorite
Things", "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" and "Do-Re-Mi".
The film which
was budgeted at $8.2 million would go on to gross $163 million
worldwide. The film would break the record held by "Gone with the Wind"
for box office revenue and would also be a film that would be in
circulation in theaters for three straight years.
"The Sound of
Music" would also continue to become a hit on video as it was released
as a five star DVD release in 2000 to celebrate the film's 35th
Anniversary, released in 2005 to celebrate the film's 40th Anniversary
and now in 2010 on Blu-ray, a limited edition box set and a digital
iTunes release to celebrate the film's 45th Anniversary.
VIDEO:
"The
Sound of Music: 45th Anniversary Edition" is presented in 1080p High
Definition (Widescreen 2:20:1), AVC@22 MBPS. This is where "The Sound
of Music: 45th Anniversary Edition" literally looks amazing. For those
who have owned previous versions of the film on DVD, back in 2005, the
film went through restoration using a backup negative of the original 70
mm print. At the time, the original 70mm 6-Track print was so damaged,
there was no way to even use the original negative at that time and
most of us who watched the 40th Anniversary Edition felt that the film
looked absolutely beautiful compared to it's earlier 2000 DVD release.
With
that being said, technology has changed within the last five years
since the release of the 40th Anniversary. The damaged original 70 mm
print that couldn't be used in the restoration of the film in 2005 can
now be used for the film with new hardware and software and is now
receiving 8K digital scanning by 20th Century Fox for perfect
restoration.
No longer is the film hazy, no longer is the film
more on the pinkish side. "The Sound of Music: 45th Anniversary
Edition" is vibrant. The grass...you can see the various grains of
grass, the strands in green, yellow and detail of the mountains over
looking Salzburg. I was amazed! Another example, Maria splashing the
water before she heads to the von Trapps, you can see the water droplets
flying in the air, another one is the von Trapp's uncle and his coat,
you can see the wool in his jacket. There is so much detail in this
latest version of "The Sound of Music", it's incredible! I am literally
speechless because I own previous versions of this film on video and
never before have I seen this much clarity in the film ever!
And I
find it quite funny for each review I have done for the film, I mention
of how the cinematography of William Reynolds was captured perfectly
but watching it on Blu-ray, the cinematography... may it be the shots of
Maria on the mountain, Maria with the kids on the mountain, the wedding
ceremony, etc., I just feel that the cinematography as seen on the 45th
Anniversary Edition via the new restoration really captures the beauty
of "The Sound of Music" than ever before. Absolutely breathtaking!
Once
again, the crew who restored this film...I give your crew a standing
ovation...what you were able to accomplish with this film on Blu-ray is
absolutely fantastic!
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
"The Sound of
Music: 45th Anniversary Edition" is presented in English 7.1 DTS-HD
Master Audio, English 4.0 Dolby Surround, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and
French 5.1 DTS. Because the film was shot with a 6-track and because
they were provided with the audio without the dialogue, for this 2010
edition, they were able to remove all noise but also making sure to
utilize a 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track and as mentioned, I've owned
several versions of this film and I even own the soundtrack to this
film.
The way this music was handled through the surround
channels was amazing. The music and the instruments playing on
individual channels was well done. The first thing that came to my mind
during sequences of the sisters singing "Maria" to the wedding
sequence, the sounds that were utilized through those channels were
amazing. Also, they were able to isolate the sound of Salzburg up the
hills, the sound of wind, the birds... I was in awe with the lossless
soundtrack.
I absolutely love the soundtrack for this film and
this is the best I have ever heard of it. If you have a 7.1 setup
(center speaker, two fronts, two surrounds, two rear surrounds and your
subwoofer), you will definitely be impressed with how alive the music
comes as it really sounds beautiful via the soundscape in the home.
Once again, I was in awe when I heard the music and I'm sure many people
will be just as impressed by it.
Similar to the video
restoration, the audio restoration for this 45th anniversary is
fantastic! And the crew responsible for the audio restoration for this
release should be proud because they did an outstanding job!
Subtitles are in English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
SPECIAL FEATURES
"The
Sound of Music: 45th Anniversary Edition" comes with the following
special features from the 35th and 40th Anniversary DVD versions of the
film but also newer special features that just literally packs this 45th
Anniversary Edition Blu-ray release:
DISC 1:
* Your
Favorite Things: An Interactive Celebration - A new way to watch "The
Sound of Music". If you select this option for viewing the movie, you
have four categories which you can select interaction with the viewer.
One is behind-the-scenes images, the other is viewing with on-screen
lyrics, the other is trivia and location quiz. You can select one or
all four.
* Audio Commentary: Director Robert Wise - The following
audio commentary was originally included in the Five Star Collection
(2000) for the 35th Anniversary DVD release. Informative commentary by
Wise who gives details on the challenges they had in shooting this film.
It's important to note that Wise doesn't do much talking and only does
when it is necessary.
* Audio Commentary: Julie Andrews,
Christopher Plummer, Charmian Carr, choreographer Dee Dee Wood, and the
youngest son of Maria von Trapp, Johannes von Trapp - A lively
commentary by the five individuals. Although these are separate
commentaries recorded in separate times but Julie Andrews definitely
gives us a good idea of the sets and various shooting locations. Also,
hearing from Plummer of how he doesn't like to work with children but in
this case, he got a long with the children quite well. Charmian Carr
who plays the character of Liesl talks about playing the oldest teenage
daughter at the age of 21.
* Music Machine Sing-Along - Sing-along
subtitle tracks which can be seen while watching the film or giving the
viewer the ability to select various tracks with the sing-along
subtitles.
DISC 2:
* Musical Stages: Creating the Sound
of Music - This first special feature is actually an interactive
"backlot tour" with plenty of in-depth featurettes on the songs, the
stage show, the movie, the film and sound restoration and getting to
know the real life von Trapp family. Included are:
1. Music in
the 21st Century - (8:52) A featurette on the popularity of the film
and how the film has influenced pop culture from pop artists such as
Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguillera to shows like "The Family Guy" and how
many various interpretations of the film have made it onto stage and
children's books.
2. Restoring a Classic: Bloom & Grow - (5:44)
A featurette on the 8K digital restoration of the film. How during the
2005 45th Anniversary Edition, they were not able to use the original
70 mm negative but in 2010, with new technology they were able to.
Before and after scenes and more. Awesome featurette!
3. Edelweiss
- (2:28) How the song was created and how Christopher Plummer wanted to
sing the song and not be dubbed. We get to see footage of Plummer
singing and the dubbed over version.
4. I Have Confidence - (8:06)
How the lyrics were changed from the original Rodgers & Hammerstein
version by Saul Chaplin and constructing it for the film adaptation.
5. My Favorite Things - (2:47) Why the song was fun and the popularity of the lyrics.
6. Sixteen Going on Seventeen - (2:20)...
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