THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE from the UK on PBS

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 11/10/18 at 9:34pm

I caught this last night. I thought it was much better than the NBC version with Carrie Underwood. I like hearing the songs that were left out of the film version..."No Way To Stop It" and "How Can Love Survive?" 

Thought the production values were outstanding...especially the outdoor scenes that were all done on soundstages.

Ordered a copy on Blu-ray from Amazon. Anyone else see it? I think it will be airing again over the next couple of weeks...

[Marianne2]

Posted: 11/11/18 at 9:56am

I did. I actually didn't care for it that much. Will definitely give them credit for the camera work and set design. But, it kind of felt lifeless and kind of dark. I understand that the story does have dark elements, but too many things just seemed more serious in tone. I'm talking about scenes with Maria and the kids. Then again, I do think the kids were the weak part of this production.

And I will say, I probably am in the group of fans who does think the movie is better. So, maybe that also is another reason this wasn't as enjoyable as I hoped.

[MCfan2]

Posted: 11/11/18 at 9:32pm

I caught some of it, and "lifeless" was exactly the word that came to mind for me too. Seemed like a nice-looking production with some decent acting (though the choreography wasn't great), but not very compelling.

But I won't dispute that it was better than the NBC version. Most things are. 

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 11/11/18 at 10:09pm

I enjoyed seeing a different production of this show. I like the idea that the proper Brits thought this much of the musical that received criticism in the U.S. for being too saccharine. In the first half Maria seemed a little short on the charisma necessary to bring around all those kids. I'm sure that it's not easy to play Julie Andrews. think that the scenes showing Maria winning over the children and finally resulting in the tear-jerking conversion of their father could have been fleshed out a bit more.

I'm in complete agreement with you about the restoration of the two songs of Max and the Baroness. Witty, adult lyrics set to bouncy Rodgers' melodies, they contrast nicely with all the family songs, which tend towards the sentimental. But since the film did cast Julie Andrews we will forgive it for dropping the songs.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 11/12/18 at 9:29am

I saw it, and I feel like it fell flat on it's face. There was the dark tone the whole night. I will saw that I was in the minority who like Carrie Underwood for the first hour of the show on NBC.Her nerves and timid, stumble nature, added well to Maria until the end of the first act. 

Can we speak about the camera angles? Why did it seem like I was on a tilt-a-whirl during the show? Everything sweeping around constantly.

Maria Friedman was the stand out...then again, I feel as if she is always a stand out.

I would like someone to kept "An Ordinary Couple". Its a sweet simple little song.

Updated On: 11/12/18 at 09:29 AM

[degrassifan]

Posted: 11/12/18 at 6:41pm

I watched it a couple of times over the weekend,even though I had seen it before. I think it's a good production. It does seem lifeless in some scenes, but I believe it's because ITV approached it as a period drama instead of a theatrical piece like the NBC version. It's like Downton Abbey meets Rodgers & Hammerstein. Also, this version heightens the political aspects of the story, even going as far as adding a scene where the Captain is listening to the radio in his study and the speaker on the radio is talking in a harsh German tone (maybe Adolf Hitler?). Additionally, this version used actual footage and newsreel of the Anschluss. 

My only qualm about this version is that they had to cut down some lyrics and cut some lines because of time. I guess ITV only allotted a two hour time slot for this production (2 1/2 if you count commercials). The NBC version did the full show without hardly any cuts. 

Also, I wish one of the live productions would've used An Ordinary Couple. 

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 11/12/18 at 7:18pm

after watching just a little but of this wooden production and seeing parts of the past Live production on American tv,  i have come to the conclusion that the only version worth watching is there great 1965 movie production...NO ONE takes the place of Julie Andrews and the music flows in the movie and it was so stilted on stage...