What's there left to say about this movie? It is superbly made, with gorgeous scenery, perhaps the most perfectly cast star in the world in Julie Andrews, catchy tunes, and a book that incorporates schmaltz with a deadly serious subtext. It completely defies criticism.
The decision to film most of it on location was the right one, resulting in some stunning looks of snow capped mountains, beautiful lakes, green fields and old houses. Andrews is perfect, and Christopher Plummer fine - awkward, but it works for the role; I never really believed he genuinely fell in love with Andrews, or she him - I think she read a lot of books and got caught up in the romance, and he figured this would be a good way to make sure his kids were always looked after... although that reading of it works for the movie too.
The kids aren't terribly memorable - Charmian Carr is really pretty and I'm surprised she didn't have more of a career, if only as the sexy bird in some 60s spy films (she got married and quit acting); Kym Karath does the cute thing and everyone looks their parts but I got the impression only Carr and Peggy Cartwright could act (look at their reactions in the different scenes).
Richard Haydn and Eleanor Parker's scenes feel like they're in a different movie, a Noel Coward thing, which is the point, I guess; and everything the nuns do is great. Who can resist that finale where the nuns have nobbled the cars?
I always forget re-watching this too that the last third or so of the movie (after the wedding) pretty much completely sidelines Andrews and becomes Plummer's story. You could be generous and say it's the family's story but he's the one who gets all the close ups.
A final note of appreciation for Ernest Lehman's script -screenplays for musicals are never that highly regarded, but he did an excellent job of condensing and emphasising drama, and also helping choreograph the songs.
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