The Sound of Music: The Making of America's Favorite Movie

by Julia Antopol Hirsch

A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the beloved 1965 classic movie, "The Sound of Music" When "The Sound of Music" was released in 1965 it took the world by storm, earning five Oscars (including Best Picture), and went on to command the number-one spot at the box office for five years running. For millions of people, the film is that rare combination of a powerful and moving story, first-rate music, and breathtaking scenery. The Sound of Music: The Making of America's Favorite Movie is a tribute to this beloved movie musical and a fascinating, behind-the-scene account of the creation of a Hollywood classic. Through exclusive in-depth interviews with cast and crew, stills from the movie's most memorable scenes, snapshots from personal scrapbooks, and papers from the Fox Studios archives, Julia Hirsch re-crates the magic that is "The Sound of Music." Julie Andrews recounts some of her more humorous memories of the filming, from her "first kiss" with Christopher Plummer, when neither of them could stop laughing, to rushing up the mountain for the famous opening scene only to be continually knocked down by the downdraft from the cameraman's helicopter. The book reveals details both fans and film buffs will enjoy, such as the fact that Yul Brynner, Walter Matthau, and Sean Connery were all considered fro the role of the Captain (while teenagers Mia Farrow, Sharon Tate, and Richard Dreyfuss auditioned for juvenile roles) and that director/producer Robert Wise, already fielding calls from Fox's Dick Zanuck for being over budget, almost didn't finish the location shoot in Austria because it simply wouldn't stop raining. But most of all, Hirsch captures the extraordinary camaraderie shared by everyone involved, a group whose friendships would last a lifetime. This engaging narrative is both an insider's guide to, and a delightful celebration of, a film that truly is "the happiest sound in all the world."

Genres: Nonfiction, Media Tie In, Music, Audiobook, Historical, Film, Biography

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1965

Reviews

[Heidi (can’t retire soon enough) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of both movie making and this film, then I recommend this (slightly dated) comprehensive look at the making of this movie— with the exception of the chapter that is literally a list of days that scenes were filmed and where, I was fascinated by all the behind the scenes details.

Balanced, well-narrated, and with plenty of quotes from cast, crew, and production team, I’m ready to watch this movie again… it’s been a year or two since my last viewing!! 😎

[Roger Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic. Watching Andrews on the hill reminded me of a female Worzel Gummidge (English scarecrow TV program). A book about a time when everyone thought cigarettes were healthy and lollipops helped kids to keep their teeth longer.
I can't say how many times I've ran up a hill and started singing. Second thoughts I can, oh yes that would be never.
This is the Social Media's equivalent of "Facebook is alive with the likes of morons, oops sorry music".
On the plus side as I write Julie Andrews is 82, so all that fresh air must have done her the world of good.
Let us see what the moral of this story is. Got it, make friends with a chimney sweep and pamper other peoples children, you will go far. She certainly did.

[Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; I'm sure it has everything to do with my love for the movie! It was so interesting finding out the stories that go on behind the scenes and what it takes to make a movie. I think I can agree with the author that The Sound of Music is the best motion picture ever. I know that there have been other movies that have grossed more but The Sound of Music lives beyond the boundaries of just a great movie. The friendships and camaraderie forged by the making of this movie live on between the cast and crew.

[Ming Wei · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe that the sound of music is based up a true story, I have seen the movie (love it), so I though I would read the book, and so happy I did, laced with enjoyment, laughter, love, and of cause escaping the NAZI party that now control Austria in the late 1930s, just before the out break of world war 2, the story is a famous story, a nun falls in love with the father of the children she looks after, after doing her best to avoid her feelings, she gives into the nature of love. A well written book, an amazing story that as lasted throughout the decades and never gets boring. No editorial errors in book, nice book cover, nice size chapters, really enjoyed, for me this is a fee good book that can lift our darkest moods. Well worth reading, particularly for those that have not watched the movie.

[Dorian Box · Rating 4 out of 5]

If the Sound of Music is one of your favorite movies, this is a fun book to read. It's very well-researched and contains a trove of interesting facts about the making of the movie, including reproductions of several original source materials, such as production notes and the like. I do wish it traded-off a few technical details for more personal stories of the actors.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this movie.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and entertaining trivia facts behind this wonderful movie! I thoroughly enjoyed learning them!

[Bonnie Polis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful book about my favorite movie.

[Dan Crist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This play was so much fun to do! We just finished this musical for our spring musical. I had a blast doing it and working on it. It is very easy to read, and it takes little effort to get really into the role you are reading for. This play is great for anyone because the varieties of roles in this play are amazing. If you want to read a more serious role you can but you also can read a very fun and playful role as-well and that is really hard to find multiple acting roles that are so far apart. In this play great example of wide varieties of roles are that Mira is so fun and flirty and Caption is very serious and strict. If you are looking for a play that you want a wide varieties of roles in this is the play for you.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I confess. I'm a sap. I've been known to spin around the living room in tandem with the opening shots of Julie Andrews praising the virtues of Austria's animated hills. So, it stands to reason that I would also enjoy perusing this book about the making of the movie. I was particularly intrigued by the selection process used by the casting team. Contains plenty of photographs fans of the movie will delight in.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun reading this book, mainly because I am such a big fan of the film. Most of the inside information and production notes can probably be found in the DVD extras (this book was written before the DVD release), but the best part of this companion book were the behind-the-scenes photos of the cast and crew. A definite recommend for the hardcore "Sound of Music" fan.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Background on the original play, the journey of 20th Century Fox to find a director, adapt the play, and create one of the best movies of all time. Filled with pictures, copies of the screenplay pages, and anecdotes about the pre-production, filming, and premiere, this is a fun read for any Sound of Music fan!

[Lilo]

THE IMPORTANCE OF KINDNESS.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC.
BYTHE WAY ALL THE MUSIC OF THIS MOVIES IS STILL IN MY NOSE
WHENEVER SOMEBODY IS TALKING ABOUT IT.

CHARECTER OF JULLI ANDROUS THE ACTRESS IS ALWAYS IN MY MIND
HOW TO BE WITH THE CHILDEREN IN EVERY AGE.



I LOVE IT.

TKS

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Baca yang terjemahannya seh). Buku ini memberi inspirasi bahwa Tuhan akan selalu ada dalam setiap kesulitan. Tapi tetap kita yang harus menyusuri jalannya. Karena Setiap kesulitan pasti ada solusinya.
Sayang dilewatkan.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sound of Music is my favorite movie, and reading this book — learning about how they turned it into a movie and the obstacles they faced — made me appreciate it more. Will be watching the movie again.

[Cella8000 · Rating 5 out of 5]

aduh..untuk buku satu ini..gak ada matinya...
g paling suka buku ini...dari kecil sampai sekarang g masih suka aja tuh..ceritanya bagus..filmnya juga bagus lagi..

[sanaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

really lovely...

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sound of Music is my all time favorite movie and I read this book multiple times growing up. Enjoying behind the scenes look.

[Marybeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who enjoys this movie or wants to know more about film making, this is a very interesting read.

[Nanayaa]

I have always wanted to have the DVD

[Debra Barstad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story of behind the scene of making of this movie. As the idea that this movie was a risk for them but becomes a most loved film to this day.

[Rodney Aho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fine writing and interesting behind-the-scenes photos. Just wish it would have been a longer book, and a true hard cover would have been nice.

[Olivia Ambrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun behind-the-scenes look at one of my favorite movies :)

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite movie of all time. I watch it every single year and I will continue when I have kids to watch with them yearly. Love this movie soo much

[Apostolos Poulios · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book about the beloved film-and possibly the best of all.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good with a lot of great stories about the making of one of my all-time favorite movies. There was at least one instance where the written version didn't translate well to audio (listening to someone read the entire shooting schedule was tedious). Also, I think there could have been more continuity in how the book was organized. There's a brief biographical segment each for Julie Andrews, Robert Wise, and Christopher Plummer. Interweaving their biographies into the overall narrative (or including them as appendices if that had proved impossible) would have made for better narrative flow. Overall, though, this was a very enjoyable account of the creation of an iconic cultural touchstone.

[Kathleen Meacham · Rating 1 out of 5]

The subtitle of this book is "The Making of America's Favorite Movie". And oh yes, did they get into the details of that issue. For example, one complete section listed the order in which each of the scenes were actually shot. (Films are generally not shot in chronological order.) This section was quite dull. There were a few interesting facts, but for the most part, this novel was not what I expected, and consequently, not my cup of tea. I do hope others will enjoy it though.

[Roberta Westwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

The movie

Good backgrounder on The Sound of Music movie, from the von Trapp family origin story, earlier movies made in Austria and Germany, through to creating the screenplay, score and shooting. Interesting that Julie Andrews was so new to the public at this time. Enjoyed the segments about shooting on location, which they did while possible. Best bits were the origins of particular songs. Ends with where they all all today. A good listen.

[LuAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched (including a bibliography!), and well-written, this gives a sense of being there for the preparation, filming and follow-up. Recently enjoying a Sound of Music bike tour in Salzburg, whet my appetite to know more about this classic movie and this was both dinner and dessert with all the fabulous production and being the scenes photos and extras.

[Con · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book! only thing is it was written in the 90s so slightly outdated, but that doesn't matter for the main part of the story of how it got made, but for the aftermath and stuff. i don't have anything interesting to say really LOL i just like the sound of music & learning about how movies were made is fun to me!