After I saw twice the live version of this outstanding Rodgers and Hammerstein musical classic, based on the true story of the Von Trapp family of Austria about 1938, which became a singing family, I felt impelled to order the DVD of it, and did. Carrie Underwood, who has always screamed out singing "Are you ready for some football?!" was as adorable as adorable can be as Maria. Carrie Underwood in this showed that she is a versatile actress. Audra McDonald, who has always been so sweet in any production in which she has acted, was so excellent as the Reverend Mother, so very caring; and it goes without saying that she has a strong, beautiful, singing voice. Steve Moyer, as Captain Gaylord Von Trapp, did so well in virtually two roles, that of a firm, staunch retired widowed navy captain and then someone who, thanks to Maria, became a bit mellowed and loving. The children were adorable as well. The artificial snow-capped mountains in the background were very beautiful and picturesque. Again, Carrie Underwood was wonderful as the lady who was a source of comfort and strength to the proud Austrian Von Trapp, which he needed during the time of the late 1930's when Hitler was coming to power and Austria was threatened by the Gestapo. It has all the basic elements I want in a drama-beautiful color, excellent acting, and a warm story. This musical is tops.

This was painful to watch and even worse than it should have been. I was open to seeing a TV version of the actual Broadway show as opposed to a remake of the movie. At first it was interesting to see the different songs, order of songs and dialog compared to the movie. Of course I knew things would suffer without the scenery and better costumes and sets. But the acting and casting was bad and the production felt cheap with ugly costumes and orange lighting.The casting is all wrong. As Maria, Carrie Underwood lacks a Broadway range in her voice - she comes across as strident and lacking in sweetness when required. But the worst thing is her blank expression throughout. She simply isn't an actress. I know it's unfair to compare her to Julie Andrews but Carrie is just too inadequate an actress. Steven Moyer as Captain Von Trapp lacks both dignity and kindness. The Broadway supporting cast sing well. Audra McDonald as Mother Superior has a great voice. The Von Trapp children especially the younger girls weren't cute compared to the movie ones. Strange choice to make them mostly dark haired. Rolf was too old looking.They got to stop doing these terrible versions. First South Pacific then The Sound of Music. Don't' bother to watch these since the original movies were perfect.

I am so tired of hearing everybody compare this production to the Julie Andrews classic. This musical was a TV version of the stage production and it was delightful. The children were believable and the whole family was fun to watch. I want to buy this DVD as a regular tradition for our family to enjoy along with the original Sound of Music production. Each version (the live and the original) of Sound of Music has it own unique reasons to love and enjoy them. There are moments in this new one that will take your breath away because the music is so ethereal and beautiful. Most of the movie was full of joyful, exuberance that was in every song and word. I was surprised when I looked at the web and saw so much criticism and meanness about this production. I am glad we did not listen and instead were treated to a night of beauty and inspiration. 10 Stars is not enough. Carrie Underwood and the entire cast gave us a treasure and another beloved holiday classic that we can enjoy for years to come. Thank you!

Maria Rainer, a free spirit, (Carrie Underwood) who is an aspiring nun, leaves the abbey to become a governess to seven all to obedient children of an Austrian Naval Captain named Georg Von Trapp. (Stephen Moyer) Maria teaches the kids to sing, and starts to fall in love with Georg, but Georg plans to marry Elisa Schrader (Elisa Benanti) What will Maria's reaction to that news be? And what will Georg, a fervent Austrian nationalist, do about the rising Nazi presence in Austria? Will he give in? Or will he stay true to his principles?I watched the original version of The Sound of Music when I was a kid and don't remember the storyline much. If I want to see holiday movies with Austrians, I'll watch Jingle All The Way. Anyway, I'm not going to do what a lot of critics did, which is pick on Carrie Underwood, she sang pretty well, and that's what she is, a singer. Her voice was a little thin, and she did have a tendency to over sing certain songs, but her singing was above average in my opinion. She had the unenviable task of following Julie Andrews in this role, which is kind of like following Lou Gehrig at first base. Andrews has an operatic voice and is a wonderful actress. Carrie Underwood is a good singer, and not a very good actress, and that's where this TV adaptation fell apart, she sounded like an American on holiday in Europe, and rushed all her lines, like she was nervous. Stephen Moyer has the opposite problem, he's a pretty good actor with a lousy singing voice, I say pretty good actor, because I liked him in True Blood, not because he was particularly good here. I say lousy singing voice because it was laughably bad. I could barely hear it at some points, it was weak and wavering, not worthy of a 6th grade recital, never mind a live stage show. Audra McDonald was very good, as the Mother Abess, her voice is incredible, and he acting is extremely good as well, if there was any justice, McDonald should have been Maria, but the world is not ready for a black Maria Von Trapp. In all, it's a good remake, it is impossible to think that anyone could fill the shoes of Julie Andrews in this role, so don't think that anyone can. It's something you can watch with your kids, and you will see it again because I'm sure NBC will replay it every year, because it was a ratings bonanza for the struggling network. If they want to do Broadway on TV, why not Wicked with Kristen Chenoweth, she's famous enough and boy can she sing, something to think about for next Halloween NBC.If this review is music to your ears, visit my blog, reviewswithatude.wordpress.com