Episode 15 August 9th, 2011

Here's the latest and greatest episode of Highbrow! Lowbrow? the podcast where we compare the Best Picture Academy Award Winner and the Top Box Office Earner of the same year. This time we've got another double hitter on our hands, The Sound of Music, which won both acclaims for the year 1965. We take a look at this landmark film and how it's musical charm was able to woo both the critics and the masses.

The Sound of Music, directed by Robert Wise, tells the story of Sister Maria (Julie Andrews) who is sent to nanny the 7 children of Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer), and helps the children and the captain learn the beauty of music . This was a massive and expensive looking production that has aged rather well despite it's protracted running length (run time 174 min). The magnificence of the hills and the beautiful countryside is really explored by the sweeping camera shots. The characters were a little flimsy at times, with the captain switching sides from bad to good rather quickly. Julie Andrews is glowing in this film carrying an earnestness that belies an underlying beauty. Christopher Plummer does an excellent job portraying the captain, kind and warm with an honest sternness. This is a magical film carried by the warmth of Julie Andrews and the catchiness of the tunes.

The music of The Sound Of Music, written by Irwin Kostal, was very magical and very complex. Do Re Mi is the landmark song of this film where they travel through Austria exploring the cities and countryside while dancing and singing. Goodnight was another very cute song that was illustrated very well as the children each have their own moment in the song. The songs also receive another reprise that gives them context in the final scenes of the film. Climb Every Mountain was the slowest song taking away from the pace of the film, but ultimately was necessary for story telling purposes. Overall the song writing and execution of The Sound Of Music is what made it such a legendary film.

There isn't a film to compare to The Sound Of Music for Highbrow! Lowbrow? although few films can. But, as always, check out the latest episode of Highbrow! Lowbrow? and let us know what you think.