daviddaphneredding 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.

Hitchcoc I thought this was pretty darned good. My son was an assistant director for this play at his high school, so the differences between the stage play and the movie production were obvious to me. To criticize this because of changes from the Julie Andrews version is unfair. The very task of putting a live performance on television has been debated so much and I feel that to never try anything new is preposterous. While there were a few flubs and trips, this whole thing came off remarkably well. Carrie Undrwood is one of the most talented pop singers of our time (or any, for that matter) and delivers well. The supporting cast is quite wonderful, filled with Broadway heavyweights. Underwood's acting is a bit stiff, but for the most part it is adequate. I can't think of a song that wasn't delivered by the cast in any but a highly professional way. Remember, when the movie came out, there were die-hard Mary Martin fans who were surprised by the additionally songs and the deleting of some of their favorites. I don't know if we need live television with all the advances in video performance, but I would not hesitate to watch this. One hope is that on the DVD version, they are able to remove that overriding hum.

pianolover51 I tried to like this production because I am all for live musicals on TV again. However, it just seemed clumsy and amateurish and not at all convincing. Though I am not a country music fan, I quite like Carrie Underwood. The year she won American Idol is one of the few years I actually watched and got involved. She is a lovely, engaging young woman, with an impressive voice. However, she was all wrong for Maria, just as Julie Andrews would be all wrong trying to sing country music. If she had auditioned for this part as an unknown, I doubt very seriously that she would have made it past the first cut. Those who say she sang it well don't understand the difference between "belting" and "singing" in a traditional, musical theater/operetta style. And I agree with a lot of other reviewers that having Broadway veterans in the show only pointed up the painful difference between being stage-savvy and being a novice. I do hope the networks will try again, but please use singers/actors who have proved their mettle first.

David Farris and the word barftastic comes to mind. Would have scored it a 1 but I only wretched 3 or four times.I guess acting wasn't a qualifier for casting. Then again the singing is trite and uninspiring. Watching this made me cheer for the Nazi's. Well only in capturing and locking away the family for crimes against artistry. Even the evil administrator made me want to turn on monster truck wars or something more entertaining. And whoever had the bright idea of putting a guitar in her hands, should resign from ever writing again. It looks robotic and bizarre. The whole look and feel of the movie seems faked, thrown together and in the end, this is a remake that should never have been done.