The Sound of Music

The happiest sound in all the world!

1965 • 174 min • Drama · Family · Music · Romance

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Synopsis

In the years before World War II, a tomboyish postulant at an Austrian abbey is hired as a governess in the home of a widowed naval captain with seven children and brings a new love of life and music into the home.

Our family guide

Best from age 6

Movie Knight Score

3675 reviews

100 Reviewers · 3 · 53%
77 Audience · 3672 · 47%

Before WWII, a spirited postulant becomes governess to a strict Austrian captain's seven children. She brings music and joy, transforming their lives as they face the looming Nazi threat and must eventually flee for freedom. It’s a classic musical about family, courage, and finding your voice.

Violence & peril: 2/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 1/10
Romance & sensuality: 1/10
Scary moments: 3/10

Heads up

Discussions of Nazi Germany and its impact
Some tense moments during the escape
A few scenes of characters drinking socially

What it models well

The power of music and joy
Courage in the face of adversity
Importance of family bonds
Standing up for what is right

Talk about it after

What it means to be brave and stand up for your beliefs
The history of WWII and why the family had to leave Austria
How music can help people express emotions and connect
The challenges of blending a family

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The Sound of Music. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

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Top billed cast

Director: Robert Wise • Crew: Ernest Lehman, Maria von Trapp

Trailers & clips

Official International 4K Trailer

Agnès Varda & Jacques Demy on 'The Sound of Music' (from 'Viva Varda!' - 2023)

Sing-A-Long (Official Trailer)

60 Iconic Moments from The Sound of Music I Celebrating Its 60th Anniversary in 2025!

"Edelweiss" ft. Christopher Plummer's Original Vocals

"Something Good" ft. Christopher Plummer's Original Vocals

Cynthia Erivo Sings "Edelweiss" at the AFI Tribute to Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews and THE SOUND OF MUSIC Children Reunite | 48th AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute

Reviewer notes

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
The opening scene from this film has been parodied umpteen times, and I think that just goes to show just how impactful Robert Wise's adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein story has been on cinema. The idea that one could have seven children is, frankly, quite terrifying (I have none) so I can readily empathise with poor old Julie Andrews "Maria" as she is despatched from the safety of her nunnery to be the go...
Geronimo1967, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
Heard great things, got great things. I've said it before, but musicals aren't my favourite genre - I don't dislike them at all, but if I were to rank my favourite genres they would probably be down low. Therefore, I always feel uncertain before watching them, knowing they could go either way. <em>'The Sound of Music'</em>, though, is a delight. As alluded to, I have obviously heard countless positive things...
r96sk, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
One of cinema's most enduring family classics. What can one say about a film that now, as it gears towards its next anniversary of a 50th birthday, is loved and adored by so many? It feels, to me at least, kind of redundant trying to even write a review of it now. So really I just want to say that as a mid-forties cinema loving man I revisited the film recently for the first time in about 15 years and found it ...
John Chard, TMDB Community