Julie Jacobson, Associated Press

There is something special about the 1965 film “The Sound of Music.” It has been a favorite for family viewing for decades. We all know the words to the songs and the sites of Salzburg thanks to this classic film. When it was filmed nearly 60 years ago, no one knew how important it would be to the entertainment industry.

“The Sound of a City: Julie Andrews Returns to Salzburg” was originally produced in 2015 for the 50th anniversary of the classic film. 2025 will be the 60th anniversary of the movie that has captured the hearts and minds of generations of viewers. It is a film enjoyed by all ages.

When Andrews returned to the city in which the film was set and where most of the locations were, she was amazed to find Salzburg barely untouched from her memories of that time which, as she says, was a wonderful experience for her. She had brought her young daughter to Austria for the filming of the movie and imparts stories of the little girl’s time with her in Austria.

Andrews returns to the Nonnberg Abbey where the nuns lived and prayed, and where Maria Von Trapp, Andrews’ character in the film, lived. The Abbey looks the same as it does in the movie. It’s as if it were frozen in time, as well as many of the other locations the actor visits in this heartwarming documentary.

As she travels around the city and talks with people who know the locations, Andrews shares some fun memories of her time there. She talks about the “The Sound of Music Tour” where visitors to Salzberg are taken to various filming locations, and she reminisces about what it was like with the other members of the cast.

Courtesy photo

While the exteriors were filmed on location, the interior scenes were shot on the lot at 20th Century Fox in Los Angeles. Andrews has a fun story about the famous gazebo that was used in the film and re-created in LA.

While sitting in the basilica in Mondsee, the site of the memorable wedding scene, Andrews talks to the priest who let it be known that since the movie was released many couples want to be married there, just as Maria was in the film. He acknowledged that sometimes he has five wedding a day in the church. The movie has influenced people in various ways, and because of the exquisite setting in the church, brides want to re-create the wedding from the film. After all, it is an iconic movie wedding.

It is fun to see the locations that were used in the film and interesting to hear Andrews talk about her experience at the various places with those in the know. Even though this documentary was filmed almost 10 years ago, it is still relevant today and just as entertaining to fans of the film. After all, in just a little over a year, the movie will be celebrating its 60th anniversary. It is just as entertaining today as it was when it premiered in 1965. Having been filmed 60 years ago in 1964, it has remained one of the most beloved films of all time.

“The Sound of a City: Julie Andrews Returns to Salzburg” is streaming on YouTube where fans of the film will certainly enjoy revisiting the city with Andrews. This documentary is a fun adjunct to the movie. Why not make a family viewing event with both “The Sound of Music” and “The Sound of a City: Julie Andrews Returns to Salzburg”? The hills are still alive with the sound of music.

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