The Sound of Music coming to 4K in 2025

[UmbrellaFish]

March 2, 2025 will mark 60 years since the classic film adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music debuted on screens. This year, fans can experience the film again in a beautifully restored and remastered 4K version, which is slated to hit theaters and 4K Blu-ray in 2025. Specific screening and release dates have yet to be announced.

Over the course of 9 months, the Walt Disney Film Restoration team oversaw digital scanning of preserved film footage and expert clean-up efforts to correct any dirt, warping or other issues encountered. “Our team is honored to care for and re-deliver this classic film to audiences around the world so they can enjoy it in all its originally intended visual and audio glory,” says Kevin Schaeffer, Director, Restoration & Library Management. Weaving artistic skills with innovative technology in a process more delicate than the petals of an edelweiss, the 60th anniversary restoration of The Sound of Music sings with both vibrant color and resounding melody, sharing the cinematic legacy anew for generations to come.

“This enhanced version of The Sound of Music is a testament to the enduring power of this iconic masterpiece. As we enter the 60th year, the restoration will safeguard our beloved classic for generations to come,” says Imogen Lloyd Webber, who oversees the Rodgers & Hammerstein brand as EVP Marketing and Communications for Concord Theatricals and Originals.

“The Walt Disney Company couldn’t be a better partner to bring to life an amazing international celebration of The Sound of Music’s enduring and meaningful impact on culture,” adds Sophia Dilley, EVP of Concord Originals.

In this true-life story, Julie Andrews lights up the screen as Maria, a spirited young woman who leaves the convent and becomes a governess to the seven unruly children of Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). Her warmth, charm and songs soon win the hearts of the children and their father. But when the threat of war rises, Maria is forced to attempt a daring escape with her new family. A five-time Academy Awards®-winning classic, and one of the most successful movie musicals of all time, The Sound of Music features unforgettable Rodgers & Hammerstein treasures like “Edelweiss,” ”My Favorite Things,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” and “Do-Re-Mi.”

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/T ... r-20250220

Yay! Very exciting news.

This article from the Digital Bits also shares the 60th Anniversary logo: https://thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-t ... 22025-0900

[Farerb]

Great News!

[UmbrellaFish]

Bill Hunt also shares this at the end of the Digital Bits article:

So that’s today’s big release news, but trust me when I say that this isn’t the only 20th Century Studios or Disney-controlled catalog film that’s coming to 4K Ultra HD in 2025. We’ll post more when we can, but definitely check out our November news update for more in the meantime.

So hopefully that means we’re getting lots of Walt-era titles on 4K soon, too.

[tsom]

The best news! I can’t wait for the theatrical rerelease! I hope they keep the intermission and have it last more than 2 mins!

[UmbrellaFish]

tsom, what are your feelings on the 2010 restoration today? I remember back in the day we were all thrilled with the new details provided by HD, but over the years, I’ve read comments that say this restoration is too warm. For example, that Julie’s hair is almost red when it should be blonde. What do you think?

[Vlad]

I read that, too. The 40th anniversary DVD was too cold, the 45th anniversary Blu-ray was too warm. At the time, I did enjoy it, though, and I thought it looked beautiful.

I do believe that the previous Blu-ray editions were amazing, in terms of bonus features.

[tsom]

tsom, what are your feelings on the 2010 restoration today? I remember back in the day we were all thrilled with the new details provided by HD, but over the years, I’ve read comments that say this restoration is too warm. For example, that Julie’s hair is almost red when it should be blonde. What do you think?

I think the 2010 restoration looks fine! It does feel warm, but I think that adds to the movie’s charm. It makes the film feel cozy. It looks classic but also looks like it was a motion picture that was made today. It’s the version that’s on Disney+, right? The version I own is the Five Star Collection DVD. That one looked very digitally remastered, but not saying that’s a bad thing!

For this restoration, I hope they fix the lyric caption mistake in I Have Confidence, and I hope they bring back the fade from bright colors to also sepia during the title card “Salzburg, Austria, in the last golden days of the thirties” right after the main titles.

[carolinakid]

Definitely looking forward to the theatrical rerelease. I hope it plays a regular run and not just 2-3 days.
I would definitely go see it with friends that would like to see it again or on the big screen for the first time.

I hope Disney remasters all their R&H films (Oklahoma!, State Fair (1945 & 1962), Carousel, South Pacific & King and I) as well as Hello, Dolly! and other 20th Century Fox classics.

[carolinakid]

The 60th Anniversary theatrical rerelease of TSOM will take place on September 13, 14 & 17 2025 as part of Fathom Events Big Screen Classics. Check your local theaters for times.

I’m planning to see it twice with my boyfriend and with a group of friends.

[Farerb]

I hope it means the 4K will be released in time for Christmas.

[Vlad]

Most likely November

[UmbrellaFish]

Surprising, but not unwelcome news. For the first time ever, The Sound of Music will be airing on Turner Classic Movies on August 2nd: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JdFrP ... tid=wwXIfr

I would love to know if this signals a general loosening in Disney’s attitudes towards titles licensing to non-subsidiaries, or if this is just a one-off in celebration of the 60th anniversary? Julie has never been able to get a full day of programming on TCM because the rights to her biggest movies are tightly controlled by Disney. What’s a celebration of Julie Andrews if you can’t screen Mary Poppins or The Sound of Music, after all?

[tsom]

I'm curious if this will be a one-time thing in celebration of the upcoming 60th anniversary re-release, or if we'll see Sound Of Music pop up during TCM's 31 Nights of Oscars programming. I think it's cool that TCM is finally airing the film, but I also like the exclusivity of Sound of Music's TV airings to just ABC and Freeform. Just makes it feel more special.

Fun fact -- the film randomly aired on BYU TV a few months ago.

[UmbrellaFish]

I'm curious if this will be a one-time thing in celebration of the upcoming 60th anniversary re-release, or if we'll see Sound Of Music pop up during TCM's 31 Nights of Oscars programming. I think it's cool that TCM is finally airing the film, but I also like the exclusivity of Sound of Music's TV airings to just ABC and Freeform. Just makes it feel more special.

Fun fact -- the film randomly aired on BYU TV a few months ago.

Re: The Sound of Music airing on BYU TV, that’s wild!

I get the special-ness of exclusivity. I remember years ago when they aired Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on TV for the first time on ABC Family and it just felt… wrong. Snow White had never aired on television ever, prior to that— and it debuted on cable, not even network TV (if I remember correctly). This was probably 10 years ago now.

ETA: I was googling this story to see if I remembered correctly, and one of the top hits was your thread, tsom, announcing Snow White was coming to ABC Family! And it was 15 years ago now, not 10!

I agree with you, they should keep The Sound of Music special, but if one extra channel gets the license at least it’s a prestigious one like TCM (and apparently BYU TV!).

I did see that The Sound of Music will be airing alongside other Christopher Plummer films that day on TCM— it’s part of their “Summer Under the Stars” programming, and this is the first year they are featuring Christopher Plummer.

[tsom]

I'm curious if this will be a one-time thing in celebration of the upcoming 60th anniversary re-release, or if we'll see Sound Of Music pop up during TCM's 31 Nights of Oscars programming. I think it's cool that TCM is finally airing the film, but I also like the exclusivity of Sound of Music's TV airings to just ABC and Freeform. Just makes it feel more special.

Fun fact -- the film randomly aired on BYU TV a few months ago.

Re: The Sound of Music airing on BYU TV, that’s wild!

I get the special-ness of exclusivity. I remember years ago when they aired Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on TV for the first time on ABC Family and it just felt… wrong. Snow White had never aired on television ever, prior to that— and it debuted on cable, not even network TV (if I remember correctly). This was probably 10 years ago now.

ETA: I was googling this story to see if I remembered correctly, and one of the top hits was your thread, tsom, announcing Snow White was coming to ABC Family! And it was 15 years ago now, not 10!

I agree with you, they should keep The Sound of Music special, but if one extra channel gets the license at least it’s a prestigious one like TCM (and apparently BYU TV!).

I did see that The Sound of Music will be airing alongside other Christopher Plummer films that day on TCM— it’s part of their “Summer Under the Stars” programming, and this is the first year they are featuring Christopher Plummer.

LOL that is crazy!! I forgot about that thread and that airing!

I did watch the TCM airing, and it was really cool to watch it without commercials, and the full movie (even with the entr'acte). TCM also made it a huge deal that this was their first time ever airing the movie. The 8pm showing was a prime timeslot.

The film is also available on the TCM streaming app until August 31.

I just bought tickets to the Fathom Events 60th anniversary re-release! I wish the re-release was playing in IMAX, but I will be attending a 70mm screening of the film that's happening in my area, so that's better than nothing I guess!

[UmbrellaFish]

I’m glad TCM made their premiere feel special!! I still stan the channel, but I rarely have the opportunity to watch it— I wish I had this time, if only to see the intro and outro.

Enjoy your screenings!! I keep dropping hints to a friend about going together to see the re-release as she is also a big fan, but I don’t think her son can stand the long runtime. She doesn’t really have an option of not taking him with her, so it’s probably not in the cards for us but I’ll keep asking around. I’ve gotten to see it on the big screen once before, so if it doesn’t work out this time I won’t be too disappointed.

[tsom]

I hope you get to see it again! These classic movies are a joy to see on the big screen. I never know when they will be screened again, so I try to catch them when I can. I think I may have watched MARY POPPINS twice last year, and of course MY FAIR LADY, during their anniversary screenings!

[Farerb]

[Vlad]

I like the cover. It will look so good in person, all embossed and holographic.

In the press release, it says it's going to be the definitive edition of the movie, but it doesn't seem to include every bonus feature released so far. So, I'm going to have to hold on to my 40th Anniversary Blu-ray as well.

[UmbrellaFish]

I’m not impressed with the cover art, but figured they were just going to replicate the rerelease artwork, anyway, so it is what it is.

And I’m not complaining, but I’m very unaccustomed to this brave new world of Disney announcing titles a mere two weeks before they drop (happened with the Tron movies, too). I thought for sure we’d have to wait a month or more for this, but I’m delighted I’ll get to buy it sooner.

EDIT: I’m also surprised there’s not a new bonus feature. I saw a pic of Angela Cartwright, who played Brigitta von Trapp, with a film crew doing something in Austria. I assumed it was for the new physical release or maybe a special feature to show before/after the theatrical reissue. But it doesn’t seem to have shown up anywhere, that I know of.