20 essential classic holiday films to watch this year

The Sound of Music (1965)

I have no idea how The Sound of Music became a Christmas film, but like Die Hard it’s become co-opted by the Christmas scene and regularly plays during this time on ABC (and “My Favorite Things” is nearly inescapable). The Sound of Music tells the true story of the von Trapp family, and the wide-eyed nun named Maria (Julie Andrews) who changes their lives.

The Sound of Music is a breathtaking, opulent story of family and romance. The Austrian locations are wonderful, perfectly suited to the widescreen processes that attempted to steal audiences from television. Robert Wise directed countless classics — including West Side Story — but it’s hard not to say this is his finest work. Despite the nearly three-hour runtime, you’re wrapped up in Maria’s journey from cloistered nun to Austrian governess. The children generally make Maria’s life miserable, but watching Andrews with them is delightful. It helps that the songs are all classics, from “Do-Re-Mi” to the film’s title song.

You also can’t deny the chemistry between Andrews and Christopher Plummer as Captain von Trapp. Plummer initially hated making the film, and his distaste works well for the stodgy Captain. And let’s all bow down to Eleanor Powell’s cool Baroness Schrader. I still love her after all these years!

Rent on Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, and Vudu.