Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
"Die Trapp-Familie" or "The Trapp Family" is a German German-language film from 1956, so it is already over 60 years old. The director is Wolfgang Liebeneiner and this is one of the more known works from his truly long and prolific career. And it's not just the people who made this film, but also those who starred in it back then who were enjoying pretty successful careers, such as actress Ruth Leuwerik who died not too long ago in her 90s and who plays the main character here, even if the title refers to a whole family. I think Leuwerik did a good job overall here and certainly elevated the material in its weaker moments. But still I must say that I did not enjoy the watch here as much as I hoped I would. The early scenes at the monastery and also the ways in which she breathes life into the rigid kids were fine and okay to watch just like the way she gets together with the dad, but when they actually are the family the film is talking about, then it all becomes pretty boring and feels at time like a poor man's Sissi film, which is once again not Leuwerik's fault. I also think it could/should have been 15-20 minutes shorter. The color should not be taken for granted looking at when this came out and it sure adds something to the overall product, but it's also not enough to make up for the glaring weaknesses and lengths in the second half. This is a film that is at least partially based on real events and characters and also from a biopic perspective I hope it could have been better. I see there is a sequel, but from what this one here developed into I have zero interest in seeing it any time soon and same is true for the more recent, more modern film on the Trapp family. The music side here is tolerable, nothing more. Overall I think the weak and forgettable in here is more frequent unfortunately than the quality stuff and that's why I give this pretty old film a thumbs-down. Watch something else instead.
Maddyclassicfilms
The Trapp Family is directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and is based on the book written by Maria Von Trapp.This film tells the story of the Von Trapp family who inspired The Sound of Music.As much as I love the Julie Andrews musical this earlier German film is much more realistic and should be just as well known as the musical.Young Austrian Nun Maria (Ruth Leuwerik)is sent to the home of Baron Captain Von Trapp(Hans Holt)to become governess to his children. As she spends more time with the family she wins the heart of the Captain and the children. A dark cloud soon descends upon the family though with the outbreak of the Second World War. The Nazi's order the Captain to join their Navy and he refuses, the family must flea Austria and make a new life for themselves in America.Hans Holt is marvellous as Captain Von Trapp and appears closer in age to the real life Captain. Ruth Leuwerik is enchanting as Maria, she has a real glow about her and excels as the kind Nun who brings joy back into the lives of this family.The romantic scenes between the Captain and Maria are beautiful and you really feel their growing romance and affection for one another. The children do a good job and are all very natural in their respective roles. There is a real feeling of warmth to this film and period authenticity. This is highly recommended to fans of the real family and of the musical.
MauriceDeSaxe
Just when everybody thought that German post-war cinema was on the downward hill financially, along came this warm, often tender, sometimes touching, colorful hit of gargantuan proportions. Produced on the lavish side, with Germany's top box-office attraction, regal Ruth Leuwerik in the lead, 'Die Trapp Familie' broke all records, second only to 'Schwarzwaldmaedel' as Germany's most popular Heimatfilm and easily became the biggest hit in Miss Leuwerik's chain of successes.Largely forgotten today, the pic holds up quite well. The story is not too exciting, there's nothing that might offend blue-noses and all takes place against an pastoral background of green meadows and snow-capped mountains.Ruth Leuwerik does what she can with the wafer-thin part and her warmth and natural beauty prevent the whole thing form being too syrupy.Interesting sideline: while 'The Sound of Music', a lavish musical version of the same story, broke box-office records in 1965 all over the world, it flopped miserably in Germany and Austria, still faithful to 'Die Trapp Familie'.
foordie
Romantic story of the lively young novice who falls in love with the Baron and his children. Then, due to the war, they all hit off to America to pursue their singing career. Different from the Julie Andrews version but I can`t say that it is better !
AD
