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.”
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, 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 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.
UmbrellaFish wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2025 7:57 pmtsom, 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.
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.
At the time, I did enjoy it, though, and I thought it looked beautiful. 