The Sound of Music 50th Anniversary Edition 2015 (1 Viewer)

[RobertSiegel]

Just got this in an email from Fox, it MADE MY DAY!!!!!!!:I couldn't be more thrilled.


Looks like an all-new transfer, I hope they bring back the blue hues that were in the film and the 40th anniversary DVD and the Robert Wise-approved laserdisc box set. Julie Andrews hair was blond in this movie, not a red-head! And it never had such an earth-tone look, it had more blue hue to it. This is my all time favorite movie and my hats off to those at Fox for such a great celebration. Looks like I will be traveling 240 miles to Minneapolis to see this in theaters again. Thank goodness it is not another sing-a-long but just a screening of the movie.

Twentieth Century Fox Launches Year-Long, Golden Campaign
Bringing the Beloved Film to Theaters, Blu-ray™, Digital HD and More!​

Special New Documentary
“The Sound of a City: Julie Andrews Returns to Salzburg”​

Opening the 2015 TCM Classic Film Festival with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer​

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 20, 2015) – Twentieth Century Fox proudly honors the 50th Anniversary of the 1965 box office smash and five-time Academy Award®-winning The Sound of Music with an unprecedented year-long, company-wide celebration highlighted by theatrical and home entertainment releases, and a slate of cross-company and promotional partnerships that will bring one of the world’s most ‘favorite things’ to millions around the globe. The unparalleled golden anniversary of the film’s premiere will launch March 2 in the United Kingdom and March 10 in the United States with the release of the 5-disc Ultimate Collector's Edition 50th Anniversary Blu-ray™/DVD/Digital HD. Beautifully restored, the 5-disc 50th Anniversary Blu-ray features over 13 hours of bonus content highlighted by the all-new documentary “The Sound of a City: Julie Andrews Returns to Salzburg,” detailing Andrews' recent return to the magical city where she filmed her iconic role, Maria, half a century ago!

The celebration will continue on March 26 with Turner Classic Movies (TCM) paying tribute to the film’s legendary stars, Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, with an opening night screening of the movie at the sixth annual TCM Classic Film Festival (which runs from March 26-29). Famed film historian Robert Osborne will introduce the brilliantly restored film at the opening-night gala and moderate a Q&A session with Andrews and Plummer.

The treasured film will once again proudly shine on the big screen in commemoration of this special anniversary. Through a Fox partnership with Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies, a beautifully restored version of the film will be shown for two days only, April 19 and 22, in over 500 theaters across the U.S. (www.FathomEvents.com).

"The Sound of Music is one of the most beloved movies of all time and has become part of the cultural fabric of generations around the world,” said Mary Daily, President of Worldwide Marketing and Chief Marketing Officer, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. "From its very beginning, The Sound of Music has brought immense joy to millions. The 50th anniversary offers us the opportunity to honor this very special film – the music, scenes and moments that continue to keep it as relevant today as when it first premiered."

A phenomenon upon its debut in 1965, The Sound of Music’s spectacular ‘roadshow’ release spanned over two years in theaters, inspiring audiences on the way to winning the “Best Picture” Oscar, as well as millions of fans spanning multiple generations. A testament to its enduring popularity, this timeless classic enjoys nearly 2.5 million Facebook followers (50% 34 years old or younger).

The Sound of Music 50th Anniversary celebration will feature a global partnership with Princess Cruises, also celebrating its Golden Anniversary in 2015. The acclaimed line will screen the movie on board multiple sailings throughout the year along with themed events, sing-a-long experiences and more. Beginning in March, fans can enter to win a Princess cruise for two plus a $500 Princess Cruises gift card each month through the end of the year with a total of nine chances to win.

The emotional all-new The Sound of Music documentary, “The Sound of a City: Julie Andrews Returns to Salzburg,” blends personal memories with fascinating history, as Ms. Andrews returns to key sites in the story of the von Trapps, including Nonnberg Abbey, Mondsee Abbey and the “Do-Re-Mi” steps at Mirabell Gardens. With the Blu-ray, fans can further explore the making of the biggest live-action musical of all time with numerous featurettes highlighting the movie, music, real-life von Trapp family and more. The Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray will feature an exclusive, 50th anniversary soundtrack from Legacy Recordings/Sony Music, which includes eight international bonus tracks never-before released in the U.S. Legacy Recordings/Sony Music will also release, for the first time ever, a special 50th Anniversary soundtrack featuring the full film score.

In addition to the new Special Edition Blu-ray and CD soundtrack, no less than four new books are being published in 2015 to coincide with the anniversary, focusing on the film. They are: “The Sound of Music Companion – 50th Anniversary Edition” (Laurence Maslon, Pavilion/Rizzoli); “The Sound of Music Story” (Tom Santopietro, St. Martin's Press); “Sound of Music FAQ” (Barry Monush, Applause Books); and “The Sound of Music: BFI Film Classics” (Caryl Flinn, BFI).

Before it was an Academy Award®-winning film, The Sound of Music was a Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical, and productions of the stage musical continue to be presented all over the world. 2015 will see the launch of a major new stage tour across the U.S. and Canada, directed by Tony Award-winner Jack O'Brien, simultaneous with another stage production touring the U.K.

Winner of five Academy Awards®*, including “Best Picture” and “Best Director,” Robert Wise’s inspiring adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music is the most popular musical of all time and one of the genre's biggest box office hits. Starring Oscar** winners Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, the film follows Maria (Andrews), the warm-hearted young woman who brings joy and music to Captain von Trapp (Plummer) and his seven children. This cinematic treasure is filled with unforgettable songs, including “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things” and “The Sound of Music.”

 

[Kyrsten Brad]

Well I just pre-ordered the 2-Disc Edition into my card while wish-listing the 5-Disc Collectors Edition for now. I'm wondering if the Collector's Edition will include the 2014 live remake with Carrie Underwood? If it does, I'll switch and get the Collectors Edition. If not, I'll stick with the 2-Disc regular.


One question answered (from RobertSiegel) I had earlier, this is a all new Blu transfer, hopefully done in 4K to future-proof this release.

 

[RobertSiegel]

Well I just pre-ordered the 2-Disc Edition into my card while wish-listing the 5-Disc Collectors Edition for now. I'm wondering if the Collector's Edition will include the 2014 live remake with Carrie Underwood? If it does, I'll switch and get the Collectors Edition. If not, I'll stick with the 2-Disc regular.


One question answered (from RobertSiegel) I had earlier, this is a all new Blu transfer, hopefully done in 4K to future-proof this release.

Well, I am hoping it is a new transfer I don't know for sure, but I was judging by the remarks made in the news release where several times they say all-new transfer. I think if the Carrie Underwood edition was to be included they would have mentioned it as a new extra, right now UNiversal has the rights to it, and even though I didn't enjoy her acting at all, I still can't believe Universal chose to do a DVD-only release of that version.

 

[MatthewA]

That complete score disc is SO mine. I've wanted that ever since the laserdisc gave us the score tracks as well as all the songs as they actually play in the film.

 

[RobertSiegel]

That complete score disc is SO mine. I've wanted that ever since the laserdisc gave us the score tracks as well as all the songs as they actually play in the film.

Ditto! There is so much great background music as well. It would seem to me that for the first time, they are going back to the session masters to get the underscore as well. What an exciting day!

 

[DP 70]

I also hope its a new transfer with the Colour and the Sound being improved since the first BD release.

 

[atfree]

I also hope its a new transfer with the Colour and the Sound being improved since the first BD release.

????


The first BD was one of the best catalog BD's ever and received pretty much unanimous acclaim, including Robert Harris. It's one of the jewels of my collection.

 

[DP 70]

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The first BD was one of the best catalog BD's ever and received pretty much unanimous acclaim, including Robert Harris. It's one of the jewels of my collection.

The colour of the first BD was not liked it looked in the original Todd -AO prints and the new 7.1 audio was a remix, just listen to the French track.

 

[Rob_Ray]

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The first BD was one of the best catalog BD's ever and received pretty much unanimous acclaim, including Robert Harris. It's one of the jewels of my collection.

I have mixed feelings about the blu ray but have come to love that golden hue that Mr. Wise always claimed he wanted. It's very warm and rich and, frankly looks much better than several less than stellar 35mm prints with the blue bias that I saw over the years. Yes, Julie's hair is a bit too red in that opening shot, but both her hair, and especially Nick Hammond's varies from scene to scene due to the bleaching process they used and the fact that the film was shot out of sequence.


My main gripe was the fact that a bit of the soundtrack's high-end was sacrificed in the noise reduction. But overall, the current blu ray brings back many vivid memories of watching pristine 70mm prints in theatres, so I'm happy.

 

[RobertSiegel]

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The first BD was one of the best catalog BD's ever and received pretty much unanimous acclaim, including Robert Harris. It's one of the jewels of my collection.

In the late 1990's, Director Robert Wise approved an anniversary restoration of The Sound of Music for a laserdisc box set. This restoration was also used for the 40th anniversary DVD. The color palette of this transfer, according to many people who saw the film when it was first released including several projectionists, was correct. For the 45th anniversary blu-ray, the tone was completely changed to an all-earthtone palette, ridding the picture of much of the blue hues in the film. Also, and this is according to Julie Andrews quoted in several books and interviews, her hair was blond. She often talks about how strange she felt when she first saw herself with light blond hair. In the previous blu-ray, you will notice her hair is a rust color. Look at the start of Do-Re-Mi.


I take Robert Harris's comments very seriously and totally respect his opinion, but in this case, having seen the movie myself over 50 times in the theater, I firmly believe Fox got the first blu-ray wrong. The clarity of the picture is absolutely amazing and I love it, my problem is with the color. I would be willing to bet the colors will be changed from the last blu-ray, why else would they do another restoration since it was already done in 8k and stored in 4k. I think Fox realized, possibly through letters or emails, that the colors were too drastically changed.


I agree with DP70 that there is a bit of high end missing, but in the documentary on the sound, they claim to have used the 6-track masters for the first time on the first blu-ray. With tape of that age, the first thing to wear off is the high end. Whatever the case may be, it is obvious Fox felt this needed another restoration.

 

[atfree]

I just highly doubt this a new transfer.....I think it's just one of the numerous roll-outs of new packaging/extras the studios do with these "go to" catalog titles like WOZ, LOA, Casablanca, etc. We'll probably find out for sure soon.....

 

[moviebuff75]

I wonder if the muted sound effects on the last blu ray were like that originally, because they were muted on the 40th Anniversary version as well. Since they used the original tracks for the first time for the 45th, and they sounded the same, it must be.

 

[JohnMor]

I just highly doubt this a new transfer.....I think it's just one of the numerous roll-outs of new packaging/extras the studios do with these "go to" catalog titles like WOZ, LOA, Casablanca, etc. We'll probably find out for sure soon.....

The press release says the 50th Anniversary blu-ray will be the new restoration, so it must be a new transfer.

 

[Rob_Ray]

The press release says the 50th Anniversary blu-ray will be the new restoration, so it must be a new transfer.

Nowhere does it say that the "beautiful" and/or "brilliant" restoration is a new one. We'll just have to wait for the reviews.

 

[RobertSiegel]

Nowhere does it say that the "beautiful" and/or "brilliant" restoration is a new one. We'll just have to wait for the reviews.

That's true Rob, but wow, if they did a news release like that and didn't, I would think they would be very concerned about the backlash when people who already own the last one double dip. I'm hoping along with those that feel the last transfer was a problem that it's new. They really need to get rid of that burnt orange hair on Julie! Bring back the blonde!

 

[classicmovieguy]

On the other hand, there were people raving about how wonderful the 45th Anniversary's transfer was. I don't think it's possible to please everybody.

 

[Rob_Ray]

On the other hand, there were people raving about how wonderful the 45th Anniversary's transfer was. I don't think it's possible to please everybody.

I think its good points outweigh the bad. About a year ago, I saw a theatrical digital print that had the color scheme found on the older DVD releases and found myself missing the rich, deep color saturation of the bluray. The color on the bluray, while perhaps not perfect, reminds me of the original roadshow 70mm prints. The lighter blue bias of the earlier DVDs reminds me of the 35mm general release prints.

 

[MatthewA]

I think its good points outweigh the bad. About a year ago, I saw a theatrical digital print that had the color scheme found on the older DVD releases and found myself missing the rich, deep color saturation of the bluray. The color on the bluray, while perhaps not perfect, reminds me of the original roadshow 70mm prints. The lighter blue bias of the earlier DVDs reminds me of the 35mm general release prints.

I speculated that both were valid looks for the film based on the difference between those two print runs. Every single time this movie gets a re-release, the same debate over which one is the "correct" look.


My purchase is hinging on how many of the extras from the last Blu-ray will get ported over. I just hope they don't do to it what they did to The King and I:


"Everything was so green and fragrant..."

 

[JohnMor]

Nowhere does it say that the "beautiful" and/or "brilliant" restoration is a new one. We'll just have to wait for the reviews.

Yeah, you're right. And I just checked the TCM Festival website and they conspicuously do NOT say "World Premiere Restoration" like they always do when it's new (and which they do for other films in this Festival, like Steamboat Bill, Jr. and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. VERY skanky of Fox to put that in the press release if they're releasing the same transfer they put out last time, which obviously they are.

 

[rsmithjr]

The Blu-ray reminded me of the first 70mm print I saw in 1965 late at night before the roadshow opening at the Capri Theater in Des Moines, IA. [A finer roadshow house was never built.]


The older theater men in the audience predicted it was too old-fashioned and wouldn't do a lot of business. It ran 2 years and 2 months in roadshow release at that very theater. Except for the beginning of one reel, the same print was used throughout and looked great at the end of the run. Union projectionists and reel-to-reel DP70's can do that sort of thing.


The color balance seemed exactly right on the Blu-ray. Of course prints vary from one to the other, and the reels were color-matched in a given print. Perhaps we all saw different prints.


I have seen many different balances in 70mm prints and home video presentations since then. But the Blu-ray does it for me.


I will be very surprised if this new release is a different master.