10 Facts About The Sound of Music

To celebrate its 60th Anniversary this month, we're looking back at a few of our favorite things about the classic musical-movie

- ED GROSS

Few films have left as lasting an impact on moviegoers as The Sound of Music. Released in 1965, this beloved musical tells the story of Maria—a free-spirited nun-turned-governess—and the von Trapp family, set against the looming backdrop of World War II as the Nazi Party rises to power. With iconic songs like "Do-Re-Mi" and "My Favorite Things," breathtaking scenery in Salzburg, Austria, and unforgettable performances by Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, the film has captivated audiences for nearly six decades. Beyond its heartwarming narrative and timeless appeal, The Sound of Music is filled with fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, historical connections and surprising trivia. Here are 10 intriguing facts you may not know.

1 Julie Andrews had trouble spinning on the hill

The opening of The Sound of Music— with Julie Andrews proclaiming in song that “the hills are alive with the sound of music”—appears joyful and serene, but the behind-the-scenes reality was anything but. Because the sequence was filmed by a cameraman in a helicopter, the wind from the aircraft’s blades repeatedly knocked Andrews off her feet.

2 Christopher Plummer was not a happy Captain von Trapp