The Sound of Music 50th Anniversary Blu-ray

Posted January 20, 2015 04:55 PM by


Twentieth Century Fox will honor 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." 1966: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Music *1965: Best Actress in a Leading Role; Mary Poppins / 2012: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role; Beginners
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News comments (29 comments)

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Blu Titan

Jan 20, 2015

This will replace the 45th Anniversary Edition BD which is OOP and expensive.

mjcavinder

Jan 20, 2015

I am on the fence on weather to watch The Sound of Music or Universal Soldier.

Don Corleone

Jan 20, 2015

@mjcavinder

I would go for universal soldier, it was timeless and featured great acting

jw007

Jan 20, 2015

@mjcavinder:

Universal Soldier or The Postman?

mjcavinder

Jan 20, 2015

@jw007 winner winner, chicken dinner!

This is a great movie but since it has already had at least two BD releases I think I'd prefer that something else was being released. How many collectors are really going to get excited about a few new features?

Vinyl

Jan 20, 2015

actually this works for me, since it is one of my mother's favorite movies... I know what I am getting my mom for mother's day.

Vinyl

Jan 20, 2015

reidw, It's not just for the special features, it's the fact that the other editions are OOP.

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pixarforlife

Jan 20, 2015

Screw the 45th Anniversary Edition, 50th Edition here I come.

TheBlayman

Jan 20, 2015

This will replace the 45th which replaced the 40th which replaced the 35th which replaced the 30th which replaced the 25th,... etc....

RICKBONDOO7

Jan 20, 2015

I Love the Movie Poster Artwork on the cover anyway. It looks better than my 45th ann Blu Cover,Slipcase.

vanscottie

Jan 20, 2015

My 45th ann Blu-ray has a feature of Julie Andrews in Salzberg so I'm not sure how this is new?

lordoftheringsfan20

Jan 20, 2015

Now we know why they discontinued the 45th anniversary Blu-Rays for the last couple months.
Glad I'll have the chance to buy it!

ditcin

Jan 20, 2015

God forbid FOX re-mixed it for Atmos.

Ufacat

Jan 20, 2015

I wonder if they will take out the overwhelming yellow/orange cast that suffused the 45th anniversary edition.

worldchmps

Jan 20, 2015

It always shocks me how many people don't get a certain edition of a movie, then want, then make a big deal of it being out of print. The 45th anniversary edition was often at BB with many copies. If you want a movie, unless the transfer is lousy, why not just buy it when it's out the first time? I got mine at BBwith slip for $10. Do we really need a 50th anniversary version? The movie is already about as sharp as it can get. What exactly is the difference between the 45th and 50th anniversary versions other than 5 years between them and the inclusion of music. I have the CD of the original release. I'm not so into score so I doubt I'll care to get the new CD. The previous release is good enough for me.

reidw

Jan 20, 2015

Where in this article is there an explicit statement in this announcement that this is a new remastering of the movie and not just a repackaging with some new special features? Even if this a new master, how much better can it possibly be than the remasterings already done and highly touted. I might point out that the review at this website was full of praise for the video and audio quality of this version. Where did this orange/yellow complaint come from? (possibly a misadjusted TV set?)

HD Canuck

Jan 20, 2015

*singing* "The hills are alive, with the sound of Griswold."

foxends

Jan 20, 2015

Great cover art! I'll be picking this up.

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impasse

Jan 20, 2015

so, 1 same bd and 2 dvd (with new transfers? the wording isn't entirely clear), 3 same special features bd, 4 new cd (to replace the one from the 45th box set), and another disc with the new documentary..maybe i'll pick up the 2-disc when it gets cheaper, as i've already got the box set :X

Ben-hur

Jan 20, 2015

I was wondering why the original Blu-Ray went up in price so quickly. Defiantly gonna pick this up. It's so impossible to hate this movie.

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cricepng

Jan 21, 2015

Pre-ordered as soon as I saw it was coming.

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Atreyu

Jan 21, 2015

This sounds just like what Warner has been doing with Gone With The Wind and The Wizard Of Oz. I have the standard, non UCE of TSOM and am happy with that. I don't know if it could look much better on blu ray anyways considering it already looks fabulous.

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Arkadin

Jan 21, 2015

yeah I got the "super box" for only $25 on amazon one day. Now it starts at like $150.
so ridiculous.
new bds cover is awesome, and, of course, I will be getting it also cause I'm a perfect bd sucker for repackaged identical movie content.

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rondanto

Jan 21, 2015

FINALLY, AFTER ALL THESE YEARS , THE ORIGINAL ART WORK.

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carl76

Jan 21, 2015

I'm Guessing a Rocky Horror 40th anniversary edition will be next (hopefully).

TheBlayman

Jan 21, 2015

Making my rounds. Have four now.

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themadpanner

Jan 21, 2015

Let's hope that it is at least the 45th aniv master without the tweeking of the GREEN that was done before the BD mastering, I cannot believe the number of people praising the original BD, green tint added. The same was done on "The African Queen", grey blankets with a green haze. Another example is "The Titfield Thunderbolt", just look at the Rank gong at the start of the movie and it continues throughout the whole film, and this was 3 strip Technicolor!