Parents' Guide to

The Sound of Music

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Outstanding family classic has glorious music.

Movie G 1965 174 minutes
The Sound of Music Movie Poster: Maria stands in a meadow, her arms outstretched, and the children behind her

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • The Sound of Music Movie: Maria sings with the children
  • The Sound of Music Movie: The Von Trapp family
  • The Sound of Music Movie: The Von Trapps
  • The Sound of Music Movie: Maria as a governess

Community Reviews

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age 5+

Based on 57 parent reviews

jsnz
jsnz Adult
December 21, 2014
age 5+

Completely delightful - but stop early for sensitive kids!

A fun, uplifting movie full of positive messages - until it gets a little scary. On the plus side: joyous music, the transformation of a man opening to life, a young woman coming into her own, and lovely messages in song about how changing how you look at things can shift your whole life (such as My Favorite Things and I Have Confidence in Me). Stopping at the end of the wedding scene is a good idea for any sensitive kid, no matter what their age. Following another reviewer's suggestion, I watched with my 5 and 9 year old daughters until there. Then I checked out the rest of it on my own (it has been a really long time since I watched it!). While there is nothing obviously scary right away to children who are seeing it and have no context for, say, marching soldiers or the Nazi flag, this was enough to get my nerves going a bit and my girls are sensitive enough to pick up on that! And the tempo sort of picks up bit by bit from there. But do watch the first part! Lovely fun, much slower paced than today's movies (so good for us sensitive types) and lots of positive stuff. Enjoy!
bflemingca
bflemingca Parent of 7 and 9-year-old
May 5, 2021
age 6+

See all 57 parent reviews

What's the Story?

The beloved musical THE SOUND OF MUSIC tells the fictionalized love story of the real-life Maria von Trapp (Julie Andrews), who doesn't fit into the abbey where she's training to be a nun. While she means well, she's constantly in trouble. The wise abbess sends Maria away to be the governess for the seven children of stern widower Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). The children are uncooperative until Maria wins them over by sharing her love of music and teaching them to sing. The captain's friend Max (Richard Haydn) wants the kids to sing at the local festival, but the stern captain refuses -- at first. But when the captain hosts a party, he starts to notice a certain governess more than he should, especially since he's been wooing a baroness (Eleanor Parker) and had intended to propose. At the same time, Nazi sympathizers are moving into his beloved Austria and preparing to take over -- and he'll be expected to join them.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (57 ):
Kids say (94 ):

This classic film is filled with glorious songs ("Do-Re-Mi," "My Favorite Things," "Edelweiss, "So Long, Farewell") and has plenty for hopeless romantics to enjoy. Especially sweet is the song "Something Good," which the captain and Maria sing to each other. The Sound of Music also effectively works in the tension and foreboding of the time period. Everyone in Austria has to make a choice when the Nazis arrive. The beau of Liesl (Charmian Carr), the captain's oldest daughter, becomes so committed to the Nazis that he's willing to betray the young woman he cared for. Even the nuns in the abbey must make a choice. It's worth discussing with older kids why this was such a tense time and why the Von Trapps made the painful decision to flee the country they loved.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how The Sound of Music compares to more recent musical films. How is this one different or similar? What makes it a classic?

  • Talk about the songs in the movie. What does the song "Climb Every Mountain" mean? What about "My Favorite Things"? If you were going to write the song, what would be on your list of favorite things?

  • How do the filmmakers create tension in the last few minutes of the movie? What effects do they use? How do you feel when you're watching the ending?

  • How do the characters in The Sound of Music demonstrate integrity, humility, and courage? Why are these important character strengths?

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