WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Sound Of Music, The
Genre:Classic

Reviewed In Issue 12 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Anna Lee, Portia Nelson, Ben Wright, Daniel Truhitte, Norma Varden Marni Nixon, Gil Stuart, Evadne Baker, Doris Lloyd & Elanor Parker & The Children: Charmian Carr, Nicholas Hammond, Heather Menzies, Duane Chase, Angela Cartwright, Debbie Turner & Kym Karath

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 4
Sound Rating: 3
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals
Robert Wise’s running commentary alternates with Irwin Kostal’s wonderful orchestral score (presented without vocal accompaniment and with limited sound effects) isolated on the analog channels. Michael Matessino produced the supplemental section which is meticulously researched and presents a myriad of visual and audio elements. There are audio and video interviews with stars Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, a 90-minute Making Of... documentary and background study on Salz-burg, and an excellent production diary that de-scribes the shooting of several scenes, a number of trailers, and a bibliography. A softbound journal entitled “The Saga Of The Ernest Lehman Screenplay” provides an informative analysis of the screenplay.

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 4267-85
(MPAA Rating): G
(Retail Price): $$99.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 176
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1965
(LD Release Date): 1/1/95
(THX® Digitally Mastered): Yes

Credits Information
(Director): Robert Wise
(Screenplay/Written By): Ernest Lehman
(Story): NA
(Music): Richard Rogers & Oscar Hammerstein II
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Boris Leven
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): William Reynolds, ACE
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Argyle Enterprises, Inc.

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.21:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Mag Stereo & 70mm 6 Track Mag Stereo
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical about the Von Trapp family leaving Austria to escape the Nazis in 1938 is an all-time favorite of young and old alike.

LaserDisc Picture:
The transfer used the 65mm camera negative and 65mm interpositive and has a full frame 2.21:1 aspect ratio (without soundtrack). The renown cinematography comes alive in the beautiful picture quality on this disc providing a classic film-like look. While a bit soft overall there is not a better looking version. Fleshtones are natural, blacks are deep and solid, and shadow detail is excellent. The picture is solid with no grain or video noise, although minor artifacts are evident on occasion.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The sound was produced from a newly mastered soundtrack created from the original six-track elements. Dialogue has been de-directionalized and while the sound is full, it lacks surround envelopment and dynamics.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: