When people ask me why The Sound of Music is my favorite movie of all time, I first cite the usual reasons-- the riveting true story of Maria Von Trapp ... the family's real-life courage in the face of oppression ... the memorable magical Richard Rodgers music ... the voice and vibrancy of Julie Andrews ... the charm of Charmian Carr (Liesl) and the other ebullient children ... the bucolic beauty of Salzburg, Austria ... the Alps ... the unsung wit and suspense in the story and direction.
But in so many ways, the movie’s success hinged on the performance of Mr. Christopher Plummer as Captain Georg Von Trapp. It was his portrayal of the Captain's fastidious rigidity that buried his grief, his confoundment and bemusement over Maria, his softening toward his children, his patriotism for his homeland, his willingness to die for his family ... Long before Indiana Jones, Captain America, John McClane, and Rocky, he was the first man's man in a movie that I admired and wanted to emulate.
Of course, Christopher Plummer was a brilliant thespian beyond Captain Von Trapp. And he preferred not to talk about his role in that popular musical. A Shakespearian actor and Oscar winner, he could have been embedded as a leading man, but instead, he preferred playing character parts most of his career. And he was extraordinarily good at it -- until he passed away today at age 91.
But to me, and for many others, he will forever be remembered for standing with that little guitar on that stage in Salzburg, the newlywed, family man, and patriot, singing of his love for his country while it was about to go down in flames under the Third Reich ... and just pausing ... just long enough to make us all feel the same emotions.
So long, farewell, our captain. 🥰🥰
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