Damn! This is such a GREAT critical analysis!!!! I've been watching the Sound of Music my whole life. It is one of My Favorite Things (Movies)! But I was so enchanted by Maria's character, the music, and her relationship with the children that I never considered the social implications. I love the point about the Reverend Mother's motives and manipulation, the church, and keeping up appearances. Also love the point about how Maria did not give helpful advice with Rolf, haha! But "Just wait a year or two to see if we're still alive and if we are - Can you forgive your boyfriend for being a member of a killing machine?" doesn't seem as catchy. I'm glad you used the word "Nanny". It brings context to your point. I see many comments on here claiming that your analysis is a joke or is meant to be funny. But it's not. We all know when men of power - like Captain Von Trapp - run into situations like this, they don't have to choose. They keep and use as many women as they can - including the ones waiting over the mountain. I used to think Baroness Schraeder was a boring stuffy old lady. But now that I'm older and understand the world better, AND considering your analytical points, I'm liking Schraeder more and more! Let me tell you, if I saw some hussey dancing with my man, I woulda SNATCHED that weave so fast and kicked her to the curb with a black eye! I don't care who's watching or if she's an employee or not! The Baroness took the high road. She kept her class, dignity, title, money, and saved herself from years of heartache. BRAVO to her and to you, Chris! Thank you!
Very true Patty, and in the same vein, though never analyzed, why did "the nanny" put on the same blue dress that Baronness said she was wearing the evening that the captain couldn't keep his eyes off of her? 👀 AND then strolled downstairs in the garden in front of the balcony where the Captain could possibly see her...🤷🏻♀️
You forgot the part where she didn’t really like the children - just wanted to win them over so their father would like her more - and wanted to ship them all off to boarding school as soon as they got married. Kind of an important part, my dude.
Another way to look at it is she saw the children through the lens of aristocracy back in those times in which wealthy children weren’t so much a part of their parents lives. Boarding school was kind of the thing for blue bloods. I agree that she had an agenda, but it made sense for the times and for who she was. It didn’t make her evil in the slightest.
@@pamelahermano9298 - Just interjecting my two cents in--- I don't think she was meant to be potrayed as evil just wasn't fond of kids. That being said I agree about the mentality of aristocracy at this time but the movie often gives the impression that this was not the case as far as their home prior to the mother passing away. The children needed someone like Maria in their lives whether of not she ended up being the Captains wife. The real Vontrap family story, Maria wasn't "in love" with Georg but loved the children. When Georg asked for her hand in marriage he stated it in a manner will you marry me and my children . Of course in the true story there was no other women in the story either. The Baroness was added to the movie to make it into a love story. If you watch the stage play version you'll find that Georg not marrying Elsa had nothing to do with Maria but with his stance on what he would do if Germany did invade. They break off their engagement because of their opposing viewpoints.
Exactly! What’s more important…your mansion or your children? He married the right person. If the Nazi’s didn’t invade, they wouldn’t have had to go through all that.
The children weren't exactly nice to her, remember? To me, it was clear that she didn't want to deal with people who weren't nice to her, including children. She has too much class, enough so that I wad glad that she broke it off with Gaylord so Maria could be with him, and she could go onto find someone to really be in love with.
I never saw her as a villain. It’s easy to label her character because she’s wealthy and glamorous, but she handled the situation with class. The moment she realizes she’s lost the captain’s affection, she gives him a kiss on the cheek and makes a swift but graceful exit. I took notes from this.
The Baroness was a hero in as much as she was able to recognize and accept an unpleasant truth, and acted in accordance with that truth despite great personal loss. I would say, throughout the movie, there are many similar moments of individual heroism.
"A hero" isn't the same as "the hero of the story". Just saying. Of course she isn't *the heroine* of the story. The video is made *as if* she was. It's just an interesting theory for us to think about.
It's very hard to walk away from someone you're in love with when you accept that they are in love with someone else and you can't settle for sloppy seconds. Doesn't necessarily make one a hero or heroine. Life sometimes sucks.
I have never thought that the Baroness was mean or evil to Maria and/or the children. She just initially did not accept the truth that she and the Captain were not meant to be together. She was a lady with grace and class. I think she just needed someone who deserves her perfectly.
The Captain fled Austria because he was against Nazi ideology. Maria agreed with him and fled with him and his family. On the other hand, the Baroness might not be willing to give up her life in Vienna and break up with the Captain anyway. So, they were not meant to be together. Maria is a much better choice to the Captain. The advice Maria gave to Lisle was that you may not always get your love, it happens; we need to learn to adapt to the reality, take care of ourselves and go through it peacefully. It is a very good advice.
I think so too! Elsa would break with the captain anyway as she could not give up her high society in Vienna. Maria loves him and the children more than anything and she would support them in everything.
He married someone he was in love with! And they successfully escaped the nazi army. That is a good ending to me! And I did sit in front of the TV as a child to watch this movie. My first musical in fact. I still watch and enjoy it now as a senior.
by the way-- Chris Plummer said repeatedly and often that the most beautiful soul on that set was Eleanor Parker---he adored her, and praised her endlessly. In fact, she fell in love with the camera man on the shoot and Plummer said THAT was the real romance on The Sound of Music.
The Baroness could not really connect with the children as Maria does....she does realize that the Captain does love Maria...she did part gracefully and with dignity.
The truth is, Maria 'Von Trapp' truly loved those children, but she never wanted to marry the Captain, a man far older than she was, and she ached for the life she had forfeited as a nun. We know this because she wrote it in her autobiography shortly after the war.
Oh yeah, they romanticized her and Georg’s marriage. She was “mad as hell “ and felt pressured to marry him for the sake of the children. The real Captain Von Trapp was nowhere near Christopher Plummer in terms of looks.
The Captain chose well because the Baroness lived a life style that Captain Von Trapp was not interested in even though his wealth allowed for it. Maria was more his style.
The Von Trapp family was in financial straights at the time and on the skids because of a failed banking venture. It seems they were living on the top floor of their home and renting out space in the lower floors. Maria taught the children to sing to supplement the family income which effort worked out well over time.
She was an outstanding actress, but I guess one could pick their own hero(es). To me, not only Julie Andrews & Christopher Plummer, but also the children.
Baroness Elsa would have tried to keep the Captain in Austria (possibly ending up working for Hitler eventually if he stayed in Austria long enough) and send the children to boarding schools so she could be alone with their father as much as possible. How is *that* any better? Oh, well, I could see maybe better *for her*. Sigh. 🙄👀👁🥺
Chris - you’ve added significantly to the conversation, and to my appreciation of this film. Thank you. I agree on this point: The Baroness Schraeder, behaves in a spectacularly heroic and generous way, once she realizes that the Captain has made his choice, and that his choice is not her. At the same time she sensed that she would not have been as good a fit for the children as would Maria. If heroic means, ‘to put the interests of others ahead of your own,’ then that is what the Baroness does. Hers is a quiet, enduring heroism that viewers of this classic film should strive to appreciate. On the point of the Captain’s life falling apart soon after marrying Maria: Austria was going to get annexed by Germany anyway, and likewise, Rolfe had already been seduced into the Nazi philosophy. So, if the Captain had married the Baroness, the family would have either had to flee Austria anyway, or they would have had to opt for the more difficult or impossible task of remaining in Austria and trying to survive under Hitler. The film strongly emphasizes that the Captain was to have been immediately drafted into service in Hitler’s military. The Captain is portrayed as a man of conscience, so if he had refused to serve, he would have been imprisoned or killed. It’s hard to think of the Baroness being able to help him escape that fate: She did have wealth and influence, but Hitler had much more. I agree with the idea that, “you need to be careful whom you marry.” But does the story suggest, even a little bit, that, the Captain “married the wrong person” when he married Maria? The story goes out of its way to portray the newlyweds as happy, and the children as happy with their new (step)mother. This (now happy) family, leaves a doomed society (Austria under the Nazis) for an implied new home of freedom, where they can start a new life. A case can be made that the Baroness - a kind woman with wealth and influence - might have been a better overall ‘fit’ for the Captain, in stable times when Europe was not about to be plunged into the incredible destruction of WW II. Finally: your opening sentence, “The Sound of Music is a story about Baroness Elsa Schraeder…” is a very solid persuasion technique: it forces the viewer to give this video their attention (even negative attention such as, “NOOOO!” or “Really? That doesn’t seem right!” While the *FILM* is clearly about Maria and the Von Trapp family - not Schraeder - the whole point of your video is to have us consider things from the Baroness’s point of view - something that’s not done very often. It’s tempting to argue with the correctness of this first sentence “The Sound of Music’ is a story about Baroness Elsa Schraeder,” right off the bat - but when we do so, you’ve captured our attention immediately - something vitally important in any communication. My respects to you, Sir!
I very much agree with this. And if I may add to the part where you touch on baroness shraedder unfittedness to care for the children, I'd like to remind everyone she suggested to Max the idea of sending the captain's children away to a boarding school. Baroness shraedder is one of the main reasons why the captain leaves his household for weeks or months. The captain clearly loves his children however this paternal bond was damaged after the loss of his wife, mother of his children. And while the baroness may be the force which pulls him appart from the children, Maria however is the ultimate force who pulls the captain and his children together again. She brings joy and music to the house after so many years. Which Liesl pointed out by saying she remembered how her father used to play music for her instead of a military whistle. And while, yes Maria didn't give the best advice to Liesl regarding Rolfe, this is an unfair comparison considering Maria's presumed naivete and non existent previous experience with love. I would actualy like to say however, Maria's qualities as a mother compliment the captains qualities as a father. Baroness shraedder lacks Maria's youthfullness, playfulness and nurturing nature. Baroness shraedder could perhaps attend Liesl's problem better, with outstanding advice perhaps, but she could never tend to the younger one's needs. Overall their family life would be cold, detached, and the captain's problem of not being competent enough to tend to his children's needs would still persist. With Maria's compassion as a helping hand I believe the captain however could become competent at adressing Liesl's problem, as well as the other children once they became older. And in due time, Maria would also adapt, mature and learn as well, since she already is a great listener and identified what the children's diferent personalities and problems are, and how she calls out the captain about this. The movie shows us Maria and the captain are indeed very different, but ultimately they are each other's halfs. One enphasizes order and discipline and the other wants the children to play and have joy in life. Ultimately they accept each other and love each other, and so their parenting styles just work together. I also don't understand why the finale was adressed as not the best outcome possible for the movie. Because it was! It's late 1930's Austria! Them being able to escape a fate of punishment by the nazi regime and living as a family in Switzerland couldn't have been a better option for the time they lived in! And while we can agree the Reverend Mother "fired" Maria from the abbey, we should note how she was the one who protected them at the abbey while they were chased by the nazis. Your boss at work wouldn't put his head on the line for you in the 1930's if you were being chased by the nazis. It is very important indeed to "marry the right person", and I'm sure the baroness could be a decent match for the captain. But ultimately the captain did indeed marry the right person. Not only because he loved her, but it was through her connection to the abbey that he and his children managed to escape. I don't mean to discredit the points made about the baroness in the video, because I do believe she deserved more appreciation than what she got. But my level of appreciation for her goes as far as her role goes, and her role is as a remarkable side character. Maria is the protagonist, a brilliant protagonist. And her romance with the captain is amazingly written.
I don't think the Baroness would be better able to help the captain navigate better in a world that was falling apart. The Baroness and the Captain are both old school people. Belong to a world that was disappearing before their eyes. It was the only world they knew. They would feel obliged to do what they can to keep that world. They may feel their presence in Austria might just about be the only thing keeping the old world going. Meanwhile they watch helplessly as all around them, people they knew and trust, including the children are getting Nazified. By then it will be too late to flee, so their only option would be to give in or else the concentration camp. Maria brought a child like innocence to the situation. Her cloistered life meant that she was not corrupted by the ways of the world. She brought the purity of unadulterated love into the Captain's life, especially in the the relationship between the captain and his children. The man of course could sense that, which is why he chose the nanny over the baroness. Whatever the baroness brought to the relationship had tangible value that had a shelf life. What the Nanny brought had intangible and enduring value that we can sense even today.
I thought in the beginning that the Baroness would be the nasty villain. On the contratry she was so refine, a nobility . She could be subtle perhaps by telling Maria that the Captain had a eye for her Maria was frightened. But she still wanted Maria to join the party. As a matter of fact helped her find the dress she wore when the captain and Maria werw exchanging glances in tge earlier scenes. Maria was frughrened all the more that made her flee from the von trapp house.
Absolutely brilliant analysis. Bravo. I was mad about this film as a child, and now I’m watching this with new eyes as an adult. Now I just want grow up to be Baroness Schraeder. I love her zingers: - “What a lovely couple you’d make” (the most elegant passive aggressive one-liner in film history) - “Fraulein Maria, you’ve returned! Isn’t it wonderful, Georg?” (I paused the movie and died a little for a bit) - “Why didn’t you tell me to bring along my harmonica?” And that breakup scene with the captain… So much style and grace, and WIT. Sometimes I play back an old breakup and wish I had started it with the line: “Fond as I am of you… I really don’t think you’re the right man for me” Major regrets. She’s my idol, and no doubt the baddest bitch to have graced the silver screen. Thank you for this video, Mr Seck!
There has to be an attraction to one's spouse. Besides, Baroness Schraeder wanted to send the kids to boarding school. How is that a person who is "good with the kids"? This is not a good analysis of the story. Here is a better analysis of the story... "The sound of Music" is a sort of "Beauty and the Beast". A beautiful, kind woman takes a lost, angry, tyrannical man and helps him to find meaning, love, and purpose in life. Without her, he would have been lost. They both find meaning, purpose, and love because of the union. They both find a better life together because of who they are.
You are so right, Herr Seck. Good take on this film. I have always found the Baroness to be the most misunderstood and underrated character. And, sadly, so was Eleanor Parker’s unforgettable performance.
HOLY MOTHER MARY! This is the most unusual and entertaining analyses of this situation I've ever heard and you NAILED IT. Caveate: I always would have chosen the Baroness over Maria anyway. Hacha cha cha!
" human granade" the nanny loves the children more " a gift from heaven" No doubt the baroness would put the children in boarding schools, separating the seven children and their father. I agee that marrying " the right person" is important. I feel the Captain married the right person, Maria.
If he had married the Baroness, she would have kept him in the Nazi social scene. It would not have been a better match unless making the Von Trapps Nazis is your preference. Do you really think the (totally fictitious, I know) Baroness would have cooperated to escape the Nazis by hiking over the mountains? No. She would have probably sabotaged him and thought she was doing him a favor. Even her good friend, Max, could not stand up to the Nazis. He didn't feel any difference could be made no matter what, so he would even prefer to keep the devil as a friend. Birds of a feather flock together. The Baroness was his "savior" out of despair, but Maria was his "savior" out of compromise with the world system that the Baroness would never have left. He would have had to choose between his wife and his morals, and we all know how that most often goes.
AGREED! I think she had to have been who invited the nazi to the party who got into it with him over the flag. He wouldn't have. She couldn't understand when he was upset after Rolf said Hail Hitler. She'd dine swanky with nazis in a heartbeat before supporting him over mountains on foot. Maria was the heroine. Baroness was a side character there to help give the romantic leads some story. The only kudos I can muster for her is her graceful departure where she was not missed by me at all after. 😅
Agreed. It's quite obvious that the Reverend Mother was doing what was in Maria's best interest, as when Maria came back, she was the perfect postulant, but the Reverend Mother knew Maria was conflicted and couldn't fully serve God with her heart elsewhere.
My late father married a wrong woman, 7 years after my mother's demise. He died a broken man, that alone is enough to make me stay single till now, period!!
The Baroness is an awesome character, i love her. She is often overlooked by others But I appreciate her so much. But i understand her character in a differet way than you do as mush as i understood from the video. I think she saw that Maria and the captain were better suited for each other. She never made Maria leave, she made her understand that the captain had feelings for her and was really kind to Maria while telling her that. I would categorize the Baeoness as a true "girls girl". She didnt fight over the captain but guided them all to hapiness. She also realized that she doesnt enjoy family life and would send the kids off to boarding school but that Maria would embrace that family life fully. She realised that the Von Trapp household wasnt for her and went to find her happiness in another place. She loves the city and social events for the upper class. For the captain, the Baroness represents what he wants and expects himself to be while Maria represents what he needs to be to be happy deep down. Just like for Maria the abbey represents who she wants and expects herslef to be while being with the family represents who she was meant to be. I find that to be the point of the movie. I love to imagine the Baroness went on to live a happy life as she said with someone who will enjoy spending money with her and living the high life.
I keep watching until I really can't wait to ask a question : What's going on actually with you, Dear Narrator? The whole world is with Georg & Maria already
And not only that, Baroness Schrader was intending to ship the children to boarding school once she became their new mother. She really was nothing but a deceitful snake, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I completely disagree with this so-called moral to this story of yours; Captain Georg Von Trapp did indeed make the right decision in the end by “writing Baroness Elsa Schrader a Dear Jane letter” and deciding to marry Maria instead. Really, it’s even plain to see in the scene immediately following Maria’s departure from the mansion during the party, where Baroness Schrader has the seven children playing some dumb game with her-which they don’t like AT ALL-that they are none too thrilled about getting this woman for their new mother.
The Baroness was a stuffy over privileged spinster and would have been a train wreck to live with especially if she had to nurture another woman’s children. This was just a movie and she played the part beautifully she knew she was in way over her head and bowed out gracefully once it was clear that the captain was in love with and cared about his children, she would not be his centre of attention. Seriously it only made Maria that much more delightful and loveable. Make no mistake the baroness character gave the story some extra body but it did not make or break the movie and Maria won that live war hands down.
Been campaigning for the baroness for years. She worked hard on that relationship and obviously loves the captain. In swoops the nun and her stupid 🎸, doing the end-around. Elsa then leaves with so much class. Cheers to her.
Eleanor Parker was a star before "The Sound of Music". It was a turning point in her long career. By then she was turning into a mature character actress, but she was always good. She did a few more movies and later turned to television.
She was in many great films. Watch Pride of the Marines- wonderful. Another interesting film with Charlton Heston was the Naked Jungle. This one wasn't a great film per se but a definite good one time watch. She was beyond gorgeous in it with beautiful red hair. She was a delight.
I think what makes her the hero, must be her decent behavior, knowing that she lost the battle for the captains heart, and that are a among the most dangerous feelings in a womens mind, to be scourned. He knew that Maria was everything he needed in the big household, and he knew that Maria also had the humble decent way of acting correct in any situation to come. The Baroness steps back so gracefully and decent, and the way to Maria was painted up. A beautiful film with everything ones heart can desire, and so real by the way, because life are real.......
Fascinating. But you are talking about the movie, of course, not real life. The real Maria Von Trapp was asked how close the movie was to real life and she said, "pretty close, but there was no baroness."
This is a hilarious comment on the Sound of Music story regarding the relationships between the 3 characters, Captain von Trapp, the baroness and Maria the Nanny. It seems that the man whose voice is talking here, has quite a favour for the baroness and her place in that setting of a triangle. The scene, where the baroness is with Maria, who's dressing herself, is just a fine example of how bitchy and snakelike, a woman can be who feels abandoned. Almost. The baroness manipulates the situation in such a manner, that Maria feels compelled to leave. Voila, deux rivales: one fuming with fury and one innocent.
Dude get a grip. You miss the entire point. It was God's will that Maria become the children's mother, that is part of the bond that attracted her and the captain. The Baroness said she'd send the kids to boarding school! This is a true love story, that the Baroness gives her blessing too! The church didn't get RID of Maria...lol...she wasnt fired. You are so wrong about ALL of this. The Captain ended it. His life didn't fall apart. He left with all HE LOVED! He didn't love the Baroness. Your completely lost!
You're wrong narrator, she ain't.the hero Maria is--she brought MUSIC back into his life. You're way off base. Plus, the whole world love this movie n its end. Your analysis on the nuns are also wrong. They saw that Maria was not ready or built to be a nun, get it? You wanted a following on RUclips, smh.
She was graceful, but I detected sneakiness when she planned to ship the children off to boarding school! A wolf in sheep's clothing!!! I wasn't fooled.
I disagree. The story is not about the baroness. She plays a significant role, of course. She plays it well. She's an interesting character to some extent. She was an exceedingly poor match for the Captain. To assert that his life would have been "better" had he married her is nonsense. The film is based on the true story of the governess and the von Trapp family. It is NOT about the baroness. Sorry. This is nonsense. Referring to the ridiculous grin on the Captain's face is proof of it. Note her snide remark (script writing) about the harmonica. The von Trapps were about music, start to finish, in real life and in the film. This was nonsense. Careful, thoughtful, but entirely off the mark.
Funny and true!! I am still smiling. For some reason I always liked Elsa Schraeder (it was the first time I saw Eleanor Parker on the screen). I liked Julie Andrews very much, but Parker played the Baroness as an elegant, beautiful, intelligent and good player. Peggy Wood (Mother Superior) was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar; but the best secondary performance was given by Eleanor Parker, full of style, and subtle nuances that enriched her character. If she had been nominated, Shelley Winters probably would not have won for playing a "viper" one more time (the mean mother of a blind girl in "A Patch of Blue"). Congratulations!
I loved that comment about marrying the right person😂😂 I married the "wrong person" had a few great years like a cartwheel ride then exited to a whole new chapter of adventures over 4 decades!😊
I am happy that CS appreciates this classic film. But this entire commentary, so intelligently worded, is satire. Who watches The Sound of Music and comes away thinking, "The captain should have married the baroness"? OMG, doesn't anyone see how hilarious this is? Or who comes away thinking that the Reverend Mother is Austria's greatest spiritual manipulator? Baroness Von Schraeder is the hero? Max Detweiler earns that status more than she. Hell, I would cast my vote for the baby goat in the marionette scene over the baroness. Yet this satire is so earnestly delivered that even these outrageous misinterpretations seems plausible. Kudos to CS; it looks like he's fooled just about everyone.
The Baroness would never have been able to hike over the mountains - and she would not have been singing on stage with the "family" - and she wouldn't have been as mentally and emotionally invested in saving the children's lives - so the captain actually made the best choice in Maria who regularly hiked the mountains and probably knew secret trails - but your analysis and vocabulary are a lot of fun.
The movie is titled "THE SOUND OF MUSIC" ... It is the "THE NANNY" who actually brings music into the lives of the Von Trapp family and therefore fulfills the theme of the movie, the Baroness is decent but she is part of the establishment who in the face of the invaders doesn't really feel threatened or in need to agitate (plus even as a Baroness you can't negotiate or solve problems when the other party has a gun to your face.... world governments tried and failed), on the other hand "THE NANNY" with her indomitable spirit is with the underdogs who suffer the brunt of aggression throughout history and in Maria's case her weapon is the sound of music which in this movie conveys beauty, hope, love, innocence, pride,joy, optimism togetherness.... all the qualities that that animate and fire up the human soul posing the greatest threat to the aggressor hence he wants to crush it more than anything. In the end it is not the Baroness' status or connections that would solve the problem because it is part of the status quo that is responsible in one way or the other for the emergence of the problem. The Captain can identify with the establishment (The Baroness) but for the sake of balance and ultimately "love", Maria is the better option even for his family and no life is/is meant to be perfect in this earthly realm what happens after the wedding was normal for most during WORLD WAR II, even the aggressors had it rough and failed in the end, besides safe can be boring and life should be an adventure.
I love the analysis but he wanted a mother for his children and to have a partner who could stand up to him, laughter and music and as a result he bonded with his children and that is what he got with Maria. A much better quality of life.
I beg to differ his marriage to Maria “ the nanny” wasn’t the wrong choice at all. The Baroness was wealthy self centred and never connected with his children which I think more than anything else was his greatest need, to find a mother figure for his children -:)
Cynical point of view. The critic never refers to Maria by name - only calls her "the nanny." Eleanor Parker is beautiful and classy, but her character, the Baroness, does not relate very well to the children and is distant to them. The main idea of the story is that Maria brought music, spontaneity, and joy to a household that was very strict and regimented. Maria brought the family together again.
To those who are saying that it's not a joke. Yes, it is. You have no sense of humor. At least not about these kinds of things. This kind of joke is called satire and parody. And very well done satire and parody too. It's not meant to be taken seriously overall, though it does have a few serious moments and does give us something to think about. (Actually what it's making me think of right now is the "What if whatever movie were a horror movie" kind of videos, but that's still good too. ^_____^)
Also she was the first woman he got involved with after the death of his wife five years earlier. Also Maria made a mistake, she was there as The Help, and when The Baroness saw Maria fawning over the Captain she had to assert herself as his girlfriend. Also although it was supposed to be "her" party, Maria was allowed to attend the party at Max's suggestion. She was very angry and rightfully so. Also Maria never had any male companions growing up. Georg is also captivated by her, and The Baroness saw that. Yet she was the true "hero" she loved Georg enough to let him go. Also Maria didn't want to be a Nun, now can you imagine what she would have done with her life, if Georg and The Baroness married.
I am playing the Baroness right now in the stage play and I do have to say that it is very easy from the movie to take this position. If you see the musical and her two songs it highlights precisely why she would not make a good wife for captain von Trapp. She takes a Switzerland type of you to the Nazis and is more worried about preserving and saving herself than what she believes in.
"What about Schraeder wanting to ship the children off to boarding school?" It's a fair question. I think it supports Schraeder being the hero. Boarding school is a pricey form of upper-class education, and would have been a classy and generous way to invest in the children's future while sheltering them from the traumas of World War II. In contrast, Maria dithered until after the Nazis had annexed Austria and conscripted Captain von Trapp, resulting in the family barely escaping by the skin of their teeth. It's true that the film romanticizes the von Trapp family's risky escape, but boarding school could have been the safe and rational alternative.
When the topic of boarding school came up Captain von Trapp made it clear that he did not intend this for his children as he himself had felt quite unhappy there. Therefore, a governess that he even had feelings for and who brought out the best in his children (he clearly was enchanted by their singing) was a logical choice. Also, George was the one who kept believing in an independant Austria, hence he transferred his money from an English bank account to Austria and did not think about leaving. When he finally was drafted he anticipated war which was against his Christian values. He also did not want to serve in a regime led by Hitler, just like his son did not want to work as a doctor because he had heard how the Jews were treated. Austria as such did no longer exist which as a patriot was unbearable to him. Boarding school would not have changed any of this.
I hope this is tongue-in-cheek. The Baroness planned on packing the children off to boarding school; she said so; and she was an insecure manipulative shrew.
Maybe The Baroness and Captain Von Trapp weren’t meant to be together in this life but I am sure that they are now reunited and loving each other in heaven 😉❤️
This sounds like an “analysis” that was written by someone who chose to follow his logic over his soul in his own life and is trying to convince himself he made the right choice. For himself, only he can make that call… but for this movie, there’s no point in arguing it because the story was already written and it was written as it should be. He followed his heart and as the Bible says, “Souls who follow their hearts, thrive” Proverbs 13:19 (MSG)
IKR! 🤣 This interpretation of the classic movie seems so twisted. The Soumd of Music, is my all time favorite movie. ❤✌Thank God he chose Maria, over the Baroness.
@@cheriangel60 Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it's twisted. He makes some relevant points if you look at it in a different perspective. The Baroness is not the villain of the piece
@@selina5598 but he glosses over all of the red flags in his relationship with the baroness. I don’t know about “twisted”, but certainly twisting the truth to suit whatever case he’s trying to make.
The Baroness was not a real person only a character made up for the movie and play. The boyfriend was also fictional. Remember that not everything potrayed in a film or play based on a true story is completely factual!!! If you want a more acturate true story watch the movie "The Von Trapp Family: A Life of Music." This movie is from the perspective of the eldest daughter Agathe. If I remeber correctly she was about 9 years old when their mother died.
@@ladyscarlet0802 Sorry but you’re wrong. Of course her name was changed! Her character was a real person. In the book: “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers,” Maria describes her potential rival as Princess Yvonne, an Austrian noblewoman who had great wealth, and a fondness for Captain von Trapp. The oldest von Trapp daughter, Agathe, penned the Princess was not only a Vienesse countess, but actually a cousin of Georg’s first wife. The relationship between the Captain and the Princess took place over the course of several years, during which Georg asked Yvonne to consider marriage. Each time, however, the real “Baroness Schraeder” wanted to delay things a little, wanting the children to get older. By the time Maria arrived on the scene, both von Trapp and Princess Yvonne were planning marriage, though not officially engaged.
I appreciate the analysis. If I can say one non-sequitor then it will be this. As much as I enjoy Julie Andrews, I would have totally picked the baroness in this movie, Eleanor Parker. Agreeing, with your final few lines and sentiments.
The narrator is wrong, he's looking at it from a financial and social support category disregarding the honest love the captain and maria shared sothings will work out for the captain n maria on a movie concept lol but in real life things can work out. thus, I totally disagree with the narrator on this.
Ummm...No, the Baroness is not the real hero. Have you not fallen in love, Chris? The Captain merely followed his heart. Had he not, he would have felt miserable all his life and would have missed all his children growing up after being sent to the boarding school by your 'hero'. The story ended in a good way, the Von Trapp grand kids (in real life) are still singing up to this day. Don't change the script. LOL.
I read that the real Maria beat the children. After all, that was the usual practice in those days. And the Austrians have a reputation for being cold, unpleasant people. I'm with Christopher Plummer who called the movie "the Sound of Mucus".
That's an interesting analysis of the Baroness. It shows the Baroness as a smart lady, who knows when it's a good time to "split" in a relationship..and the Reverend Mother in a rather wicked way. She gets Maria fired from the Church and has Maria as the "homewrecker" when it comes to the break-up of two people, who represent the upper-middle class of Austrian Society. Then The Reverend Mother leads a team of women into sabotaging government property (Nazi Vehicles) and being accessories to getting a bunch of fugitives out of the country, that loses their entire family fortune and the head of the family as a Draft Dodger. And she and the nuns get away with it on the basis of "separation of church and state"..
Damn! This is such a GREAT critical analysis!!!! I've been watching the Sound of Music my whole life. It is one of My Favorite Things (Movies)! But I was so enchanted by Maria's character, the music, and her relationship with the children that I never considered the social implications. I love the point about the Reverend Mother's motives and manipulation, the church, and keeping up appearances. Also love the point about how Maria did not give helpful advice with Rolf, haha! But "Just wait a year or two to see if we're still alive and if we are - Can you forgive your boyfriend for being a member of a killing machine?" doesn't seem as catchy.
I'm glad you used the word "Nanny". It brings context to your point. I see many comments on here claiming that your analysis is a joke or is meant to be funny. But it's not. We all know when men of power - like Captain Von Trapp - run into situations like this, they don't have to choose. They keep and use as many women as they can - including the ones waiting over the mountain.
I used to think Baroness Schraeder was a boring stuffy old lady. But now that I'm older and understand the world better, AND considering your analytical points, I'm liking Schraeder more and more! Let me tell you, if I saw some hussey dancing with my man, I woulda SNATCHED that weave so fast and kicked her to the curb with a black eye! I don't care who's watching or if she's an employee or not! The Baroness took the high road. She kept her class, dignity, title, money, and saved herself from years of heartache. BRAVO to her and to you, Chris! Thank you!
Thanks for the pin, Chris!
You understand that the children, Maria, and Captain von Trapp were real and this isn't how it went down?
@@ballasog you understand that people are dissecting a movie? Not real life?
LOL ! Love it!
Very true Patty, and in the same vein, though never analyzed, why did "the nanny" put on the same blue dress that Baronness said she was wearing the evening that the captain couldn't keep his eyes off of her? 👀 AND then strolled downstairs in the garden in front of the balcony where the Captain could possibly see her...🤷🏻♀️
That champagne gold lamé dress is simply my favorite and fits her so beautifully.
That's the magic of tailoring that no-one would be without up until cheap mass production of clothing started
@@selina5598 thats the magic of hollywood. An army of people helped make that dress fit and photograph beautifully
@@boobraschmidt2199 yea but even in during the 30s, people didn’t have mass produced stuff like adidas.
Gorgeous! Takes my breath away every time. :)
money is all Elsa has to offer . The kids despise her and always mistreating the poor rich lady
You forgot the part where she didn’t really like the children - just wanted to win them over so their father would like her more - and wanted to ship them all off to boarding school as soon as they got married. Kind of an important part, my dude.
I agree! She had an agenda!
Another way to look at it is she saw the children through the lens of aristocracy back in those times in which wealthy children weren’t so much a part of their parents lives. Boarding school was kind of the thing for blue bloods. I agree that she had an agenda, but it made sense for the times and for who she was. It didn’t make her evil in the slightest.
@@pamelahermano9298 - Just interjecting my two cents in--- I don't think she was meant to be potrayed as evil just wasn't fond of kids. That being said I agree about the mentality of aristocracy at this time but the movie often gives the impression that this was not the case as far as their home prior to the mother passing away. The children needed someone like Maria in their lives whether of not she ended up being the Captains wife. The real Vontrap family story, Maria wasn't "in love" with Georg but loved the children. When Georg asked for her hand in marriage he stated it in a manner will you marry me and my children . Of course in the true story there was no other women in the story either. The Baroness was added to the movie to make it into a love story. If you watch the stage play version you'll find that Georg not marrying Elsa had nothing to do with Maria but with his stance on what he would do if Germany did invade. They break off their engagement because of their opposing viewpoints.
Exactly! What’s more important…your mansion or your children? He married the right person. If the Nazi’s didn’t invade, they wouldn’t have had to go through all that.
The children weren't exactly nice to her, remember? To me, it was clear that she didn't want to deal with people who weren't nice to her, including children. She has too much class, enough so that I wad glad that she broke it off with Gaylord so Maria could be with him, and she could go onto find someone to really be in love with.
I never saw her as a villain. It’s easy to label her character because she’s wealthy and glamorous, but she handled the situation with class. The moment she realizes she’s lost the captain’s affection, she gives him a kiss on the cheek and makes a swift but graceful exit. I took notes from this.
The Baroness was a hero in as much as she was able to recognize and accept an unpleasant truth, and acted in accordance with that truth despite great personal loss. I would say, throughout the movie, there are many similar moments of individual heroism.
"A hero" isn't the same as "the hero of the story".
Just saying.
Of course she isn't *the heroine* of the story. The video is made *as if* she was. It's just an interesting theory for us to think about.
I think her most memorable quote was her last one.
"Somewhere out there is a lady who I think will never be a nun"
It's very hard to walk away from someone you're in love with when you accept that they are in love with someone else and you can't settle for sloppy seconds. Doesn't necessarily make one a hero or heroine. Life sometimes sucks.
I have never thought that the Baroness was mean or evil to Maria and/or the children.
She just initially did not accept the truth that she and the Captain were not meant to be together.
She was a lady with grace and class. I think she just needed someone who deserves her perfectly.
Yes, I respect her very much. When I broke up with her, she made it easy and stepped out of the situation with class and dignity.
@@captaingeorgvontrapp6301 now girl...
The Captain fled Austria because he was against Nazi ideology. Maria agreed with him and fled with him and his family. On the other hand, the Baroness might not be willing to give up her life in Vienna and break up with the Captain anyway. So, they were not meant to be together. Maria is a much better choice to the Captain. The advice Maria gave to Lisle was that you may not always get your love, it happens; we need to learn to adapt to the reality, take care of ourselves and go through it peacefully. It is a very good advice.
I think so too! Elsa would break with the captain anyway as she could not give up her high society in Vienna. Maria loves him and the children more than anything and she would support them in everything.
He married someone he was in love with! And they successfully escaped the nazi army. That is a good ending to me! And I did sit in front of the TV as a child to watch this movie. My first musical in fact. I still watch and enjoy it now as a senior.
High School Musical can never compare.
This analysis is wrong
by the way-- Chris Plummer said repeatedly and often that the most beautiful soul on that set was Eleanor Parker---he adored her, and praised her endlessly. In fact, she fell in love with the camera man on the shoot and Plummer said THAT was the real romance on The Sound of Music.
We are referring to the character she portrayed, not Eleanor herself.
Plummer never showed real love for Elsa and could not relate to his kids. Moral of the story her money didn't buy happiness
M
The Baroness could not really connect with the children as Maria does....she does realize that the Captain does love Maria...she did part gracefully and with dignity.
I'm so glad you did this Chris. I have long channelled that Baroness when I've suffered an inevitable rejection.
The truth is, Maria 'Von Trapp' truly loved those children, but she never wanted to marry the Captain, a man far older than she was, and she ached for the life she had forfeited as a nun. We know this because she wrote it in her autobiography shortly after the war.
Oh yeah, they romanticized her and Georg’s marriage. She was “mad as hell “ and felt pressured to marry him for the sake of the children. The real Captain Von Trapp was nowhere near Christopher Plummer in terms of looks.
Wrong Maria as that was the one with 10 kids
The Captain chose well because the Baroness lived a life style that Captain Von Trapp was not interested in even though his wealth allowed for it. Maria was more his style.
True💞
The Von Trapp family was in financial straights at the time and on the skids because of a failed banking venture. It seems they were living on the top floor of their home and renting out space in the lower floors. Maria taught the children to sing to supplement the family income which effort worked out well over time.
She was an outstanding actress, but I guess one could pick their own hero(es). To me, not only Julie Andrews & Christopher Plummer, but also the children.
Baroness Elsa would have tried to keep the Captain in Austria (possibly ending up working for Hitler eventually if he stayed in Austria long enough) and send the children to boarding schools so she could be alone with their father as much as possible.
How is *that* any better?
Oh, well, I could see maybe better *for her*.
Sigh. 🙄👀👁🥺
Agree!
Chris - you’ve added significantly to the conversation, and to my appreciation of this film. Thank you.
I agree on this point: The Baroness Schraeder, behaves in a spectacularly heroic and generous way, once she realizes that the Captain has made his choice, and that his choice is not her. At the same time she sensed that she would not have been as good a fit for the children as would Maria. If heroic means, ‘to put the interests of others ahead of your own,’ then that is what the Baroness does. Hers is a quiet, enduring heroism that viewers of this classic film should strive to appreciate.
On the point of the Captain’s life falling apart soon after marrying Maria: Austria was going to get annexed by Germany anyway, and likewise, Rolfe had already been seduced into the Nazi philosophy. So, if the Captain had married the Baroness, the family would have either had to flee Austria anyway, or they would have had to opt for the more difficult or impossible task of remaining in Austria and trying to survive under Hitler. The film strongly emphasizes that the Captain was to have been immediately drafted into service in Hitler’s military. The Captain is portrayed as a man of conscience, so if he had refused to serve, he would have been imprisoned or killed. It’s hard to think of the Baroness being able to help him escape that fate: She did have wealth and influence, but Hitler had much more.
I agree with the idea that, “you need to be careful whom you marry.” But does the story suggest, even a little bit, that, the Captain “married the wrong person” when he married Maria? The story goes out of its way to portray the newlyweds as happy, and the children as happy with their new (step)mother. This (now happy) family, leaves a doomed society (Austria under the Nazis) for an implied new home of freedom, where they can start a new life.
A case can be made that the Baroness - a kind woman with wealth and influence - might have been a better overall ‘fit’ for the Captain, in stable times when Europe was not about to be plunged into the incredible destruction of WW II.
Finally: your opening sentence, “The Sound of Music is a story about Baroness Elsa Schraeder…” is a very solid persuasion technique: it forces the viewer to give this video their attention (even negative attention such as, “NOOOO!” or “Really? That doesn’t seem right!” While the *FILM* is clearly about Maria and the Von Trapp family - not Schraeder - the whole point of your video is to have us consider things from the Baroness’s point of view - something that’s not done very often. It’s tempting to argue with the correctness of this first sentence “The Sound of Music’ is a story about Baroness Elsa Schraeder,” right off the bat - but when we do so, you’ve captured our attention immediately - something vitally important in any communication.
My respects to you, Sir!
I very much agree with this. And if I may add to the part where you touch on baroness shraedder unfittedness to care for the children, I'd like to remind everyone she suggested to Max the idea of sending the captain's children away to a boarding school.
Baroness shraedder is one of the main reasons why the captain leaves his household for weeks or months.
The captain clearly loves his children however this paternal bond was damaged after the loss of his wife, mother of his children.
And while the baroness may be the force which pulls him appart from the children, Maria however is the ultimate force who pulls the captain and his children together again. She brings joy and music to the house after so many years. Which Liesl pointed out by saying she remembered how her father used to play music for her instead of a military whistle.
And while, yes Maria didn't give the best advice to Liesl regarding Rolfe, this is an unfair comparison considering Maria's presumed naivete and non existent previous experience with love.
I would actualy like to say however, Maria's qualities as a mother compliment the captains qualities as a father. Baroness shraedder lacks Maria's youthfullness, playfulness and nurturing nature.
Baroness shraedder could perhaps attend Liesl's problem better, with outstanding advice perhaps, but she could never tend to the younger one's needs. Overall their family life would be cold, detached, and the captain's problem of not being competent enough to tend to his children's needs would still persist.
With Maria's compassion as a helping hand I believe the captain however could become competent at adressing Liesl's problem, as well as the other children once they became older. And in due time, Maria would also adapt, mature and learn as well, since she already is a great listener and identified what the children's diferent personalities and problems are, and how she calls out the captain about this.
The movie shows us Maria and the captain are indeed very different, but ultimately they are each other's halfs. One enphasizes order and discipline and the other wants the children to play and have joy in life. Ultimately they accept each other and love each other, and so their parenting styles just work together.
I also don't understand why the finale was adressed as not the best outcome possible for the movie. Because it was! It's late 1930's Austria! Them being able to escape a fate of punishment by the nazi regime and living as a family in Switzerland couldn't have been a better option for the time they lived in! And while we can agree the Reverend Mother "fired" Maria from the abbey, we should note how she was the one who protected them at the abbey while they were chased by the nazis. Your boss at work wouldn't put his head on the line for you in the 1930's if you were being chased by the nazis.
It is very important indeed to "marry the right person", and I'm sure the baroness could be a decent match for the captain.
But ultimately the captain did indeed marry the right person. Not only because he loved her, but it was through her connection to the abbey that he and his children managed to escape.
I don't mean to discredit the points made about the baroness in the video, because I do believe she deserved more appreciation than what she got. But my level of appreciation for her goes as far as her role goes, and her role is as a remarkable side character. Maria is the protagonist, a brilliant protagonist. And her romance with the captain is amazingly written.
I don't think the Baroness would be better able to help the captain navigate better in a world that was falling apart. The Baroness and the Captain are both old school people. Belong to a world that was disappearing before their eyes. It was the only world they knew. They would feel obliged to do what they can to keep that world. They may feel their presence in Austria might just about be the only thing keeping the old world going. Meanwhile they watch helplessly as all around them, people they knew and trust, including the children are getting Nazified. By then it will be too late to flee, so their only option would be to give in or else the concentration camp. Maria brought a child like innocence to the situation. Her cloistered life meant that she was not corrupted by the ways of the world. She brought the purity of unadulterated love into the Captain's life, especially in the the relationship between the captain and his children. The man of course could sense that, which is why he chose the nanny over the baroness. Whatever the baroness brought to the relationship had tangible value that had a shelf life. What the Nanny brought had intangible and enduring value that we can sense even today.
I thought in the beginning that the Baroness would be the nasty villain. On the contratry she was so refine, a nobility . She could be subtle perhaps by telling Maria that the Captain had a eye for her
Maria was frightened. But she still wanted Maria to join the party. As a matter of fact helped her find the dress she wore when the captain and Maria werw exchanging glances in tge earlier scenes. Maria was frughrened all the more that made her flee from the von trapp house.
Absolutely brilliant analysis. Bravo. I was mad about this film as a child, and now I’m watching this with new eyes as an adult. Now I just want grow up to be Baroness Schraeder.
I love her zingers:
- “What a lovely couple you’d make” (the most elegant passive aggressive one-liner in film history)
- “Fraulein Maria, you’ve returned! Isn’t it wonderful, Georg?” (I paused the movie and died a little for a bit)
- “Why didn’t you tell me to bring along my harmonica?”
And that breakup scene with the captain… So much style and grace, and WIT. Sometimes I play back an old breakup and wish I had started it with the line: “Fond as I am of you… I really don’t think you’re the right man for me” Major regrets.
She’s my idol, and no doubt the baddest bitch to have graced the silver screen. Thank you for this video, Mr Seck!
Great comment. Well said 👏
There has to be an attraction to one's spouse. Besides, Baroness Schraeder wanted to send the kids to boarding school. How is that a person who is "good with the kids"? This is not a good analysis of the story. Here is a better analysis of the story... "The sound of Music" is a sort of "Beauty and the Beast". A beautiful, kind woman takes a lost, angry, tyrannical man and helps him to find meaning, love, and purpose in life. Without her, he would have been lost. They both find meaning, purpose, and love because of the union. They both find a better life together because of who they are.
The Baroness's earrings catching the light is a sublime effect in her final scene.
Shows $$ money for the baroness was important to her.
You are so right, Herr Seck. Good take on this film. I have always found the Baroness to be the most misunderstood and underrated character. And, sadly, so was Eleanor Parker’s unforgettable performance.
HOLY MOTHER MARY! This is the most unusual and entertaining analyses of this situation I've ever heard and you NAILED IT. Caveate: I always would have chosen the Baroness over Maria anyway. Hacha cha cha!
" human granade" the nanny loves the children more " a gift from heaven"
No doubt the baroness would put the children in boarding schools, separating the seven children and their father.
I agee that marrying " the right person" is important.
I feel the Captain married the right person, Maria.
The Captain was searching for a reason to stay.
In Maria he found home, where ever that was. ❤
If he had married the Baroness, she would have kept him in the Nazi social scene. It would not have been a better match unless making the Von Trapps Nazis is your preference. Do you really think the (totally fictitious, I know) Baroness would have cooperated to escape the Nazis by hiking over the mountains? No. She would have probably sabotaged him and thought she was doing him a favor. Even her good friend, Max, could not stand up to the Nazis. He didn't feel any difference could be made no matter what, so he would even prefer to keep the devil as a friend. Birds of a feather flock together. The Baroness was his "savior" out of despair, but Maria was his "savior" out of compromise with the world system that the Baroness would never have left. He would have had to choose between his wife and his morals, and we all know how that most often goes.
AGREED! I think she had to have been who invited the nazi to the party who got into it with him over the flag. He wouldn't have. She couldn't understand when he was upset after Rolf said Hail Hitler. She'd dine swanky with nazis in a heartbeat before supporting him over mountains on foot. Maria was the heroine. Baroness was a side character there to help give the romantic leads some story. The only kudos I can muster for her is her graceful departure where she was not missed by me at all after. 😅
@@lilmoonbaby6
👉 I have always loved the beautiful and breathy
sophisticated baroness. Thank, great presentation!
Eleanor Parker wonderful actress but the narrator is talking nonsense 😁
Really such absolute nonsense. I was wondering if anyone was buying it. Clearly not😂
Agreed. It's quite obvious that the Reverend Mother was doing what was in Maria's best interest, as when Maria came back, she was the perfect postulant, but the Reverend Mother knew Maria was conflicted and couldn't fully serve God with her heart elsewhere.
My late father married a wrong woman, 7 years after my mother's demise. He died a broken man, that alone is enough to make me stay single till now, period!!
I love how this is based on a true story too, this is such a lovely musical
She was a very beautiful elegant woman and fit her part perfectly..
The Baroness is an awesome character, i love her. She is often overlooked by others But I appreciate her so much. But i understand her character in a differet way than you do as mush as i understood from the video. I think she saw that Maria and the captain were better suited for each other. She never made Maria leave, she made her understand that the captain had feelings for her and was really kind to Maria while telling her that. I would categorize the Baeoness as a true "girls girl". She didnt fight over the captain but guided them all to hapiness. She also realized that she doesnt enjoy family life and would send the kids off to boarding school but that Maria would embrace that family life fully. She realised that the Von Trapp household wasnt for her and went to find her happiness in another place. She loves the city and social events for the upper class.
For the captain, the Baroness represents what he wants and expects himself to be while Maria represents what he needs to be to be happy deep down. Just like for Maria the abbey represents who she wants and expects herslef to be while being with the family represents who she was meant to be.
I find that to be the point of the movie.
I love to imagine the Baroness went on to live a happy life as she said with someone who will enjoy spending money with her and living the high life.
I keep watching until I really can't wait to ask a question : What's going on actually with you, Dear Narrator? The whole world is with Georg & Maria already
And not only that, Baroness Schrader was intending to ship the children to boarding school once she became their new mother. She really was nothing but a deceitful snake, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I completely disagree with this so-called moral to this story of yours; Captain Georg Von Trapp did indeed make the right decision in the end by “writing Baroness Elsa Schrader a Dear Jane letter” and deciding to marry Maria instead. Really, it’s even plain to see in the scene immediately following Maria’s departure from the mansion during the party, where Baroness Schrader has the seven children playing some dumb game with her-which they don’t like AT ALL-that they are none too thrilled about getting this woman for their new mother.
@@MrJamieMurph4141969 He's a psycho
@@MrJamieMurph4141969 exactly
Exactly! My guess is that this entire commentary is satire---so outrageous is it.
The Baroness was a stuffy over privileged spinster and would have been a train wreck to live with especially if she had to nurture another woman’s children. This was just a movie and she played the part beautifully she knew she was in way over her head and bowed out gracefully once it was clear that the captain was in love with and cared about his children, she would not be his centre of attention. Seriously it only made Maria that much more delightful and loveable. Make no mistake the baroness character gave the story some extra body but it did not make or break the movie and Maria won that live war hands down.
Amen. Thank you, Dale. (See my comment above.)
I think the captain from the beginning of the movie would have been a better match for the Baroness than the one at the end.
Been campaigning for the baroness for years. She worked hard on that relationship and obviously loves the captain. In swoops the nun and her stupid 🎸, doing the end-around. Elsa then leaves with so much class. Cheers to her.
The countess is absolutely stunning. I'm surprised she didn't act in more films.
Eleanor Parker was a star before "The Sound of Music". It was a turning point in her long career. By then she was turning into a mature character actress, but she was always good. She did a few more movies and later turned to television.
She was in many great films. Watch Pride of the Marines- wonderful. Another interesting film with Charlton Heston was the Naked Jungle. This one wasn't a great film per se but a definite good one time watch. She was beyond gorgeous in it with beautiful red hair. She was a delight.
will look for a baroness tomrrow 😂... great analysis! loved the video!!~ 💛
I loved the video. Just find it was missing her marvelous quote:
Somewhere out there is a lady who I think will never be a nun.
And btw, she was not a “nanny,” she was a governess.
I never really understand the difference
@@fantasticnerd7978 Governess teaches school lessons…nanny just takes care of the children.
This is a great analysis! Thank you.
Dude, she wanted to ship the kids off to boarding school. She would have been wicked stepmother all the way
I think what makes her the hero, must be her decent behavior, knowing that she lost the battle for the captains heart, and that are a among the most dangerous feelings in a womens mind, to be scourned.
He knew that Maria was everything he needed in the big household, and he knew that Maria also had the humble decent way of acting correct in any situation to come. The Baroness steps back so gracefully and decent, and the way to Maria was painted up.
A beautiful film with everything ones heart can desire, and so real by the way, because life are real.......
"Maria's not an asset to the abbey" so we had to send her to a captain with seven children. She'd be a perfect asset to/for them. ^___^
Fascinating. But you are talking about the movie, of course, not real life. The real Maria Von Trapp was asked how close the movie was to real life and she said, "pretty close, but there was no baroness."
This is a hilarious comment on the Sound of Music story regarding the relationships between the 3 characters, Captain von Trapp, the baroness and Maria the Nanny. It seems that the man whose voice is talking here, has quite a favour for the baroness and her place in that setting of a triangle. The scene, where the baroness is with Maria, who's dressing herself, is just a fine example of how bitchy and snakelike, a woman can be who feels abandoned. Almost.
The baroness manipulates the situation in such a manner, that Maria feels compelled to leave. Voila, deux rivales: one fuming with fury and one innocent.
LOL at the commentary 😂😂
Dude get a grip. You miss the entire point. It was God's will that Maria become the children's mother, that is part of the bond that attracted her and the captain. The Baroness said she'd send the kids to boarding school! This is a true love story, that the Baroness gives her blessing too! The church didn't get RID of Maria...lol...she wasnt fired. You are so wrong about ALL of this. The Captain ended it. His life didn't fall apart. He left with all HE LOVED! He didn't love the Baroness. Your completely lost!
This is precisely why it was such a travesty to cut Elsa Schraeder's two big singing numbers from the movie version.
I played in a musical as the Baroness Elsa! It really was an amazing role to play!
O Capitão fez muito bem ao escolher Maria, que amava e cuidava muito bem de seua filhos, e mandou a Baronesa arrogante andar.🙌👍🙏
You're wrong narrator, she ain't.the hero Maria is--she brought MUSIC back into his life. You're way off base. Plus, the whole world love this movie n its end. Your analysis on the nuns are also wrong. They saw that Maria was not ready or built to be a nun, get it?
You wanted a following on RUclips, smh.
She was graceful, but I detected sneakiness when she planned to ship the children off to boarding school! A wolf in sheep's clothing!!! I wasn't fooled.
I disagree. The story is not about the baroness. She plays a significant role, of course. She plays it well. She's an interesting character to some extent. She was an exceedingly poor match for the Captain. To assert that his life would have been "better" had he married her is nonsense. The film is based on the true story of the governess and the von Trapp family. It is NOT about the baroness. Sorry. This is nonsense. Referring to the ridiculous grin on the Captain's face is proof of it. Note her snide remark (script writing) about the harmonica. The von Trapps were about music, start to finish, in real life and in the film. This was nonsense. Careful, thoughtful, but entirely off the mark.
I totally agree with you. This video is a bad joke! I believe it was for attention only.
The baroness wanted to send the kids to boarding school. Sure she may have found them "charming" but she didn't connect with them the way Maria could.
This is hilarious!
Exactly! Not many are seeing that here. In fact, it is SO hilarious and outrageous that I'm convinced it's satire.
Rip Eleanor Parker & Christopher Plummer.
And Charmian Carr
Excellent analysis!
Hmm..I never thought of it this way.....but it makes total sense....
Funny and true!! I am still smiling. For some reason I always liked Elsa Schraeder (it was the first time I saw Eleanor Parker on the screen). I liked Julie Andrews very much, but Parker played the Baroness as an elegant, beautiful, intelligent and good player. Peggy Wood (Mother Superior) was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar; but the best secondary performance was given by Eleanor Parker, full of style, and subtle nuances that enriched her character. If she had been nominated, Shelley Winters probably would not have won for playing a "viper" one more time (the mean mother of a blind girl in "A Patch of Blue"). Congratulations!
I loved that comment about marrying the right person😂😂
I married the "wrong person" had a few great years like a cartwheel ride then exited to a whole new chapter of adventures over 4 decades!😊
I am happy that CS appreciates this classic film. But this entire commentary, so intelligently worded, is satire. Who watches The Sound of Music and comes away thinking, "The captain should have married the baroness"? OMG, doesn't anyone see how hilarious this is? Or who comes away thinking that the Reverend Mother is Austria's greatest spiritual manipulator? Baroness Von Schraeder is the hero? Max Detweiler earns that status more than she. Hell, I would cast my vote for the baby goat in the marionette scene over the baroness. Yet this satire is so earnestly delivered that even these outrageous misinterpretations seems plausible. Kudos to CS; it looks like he's fooled just about everyone.
Obviously, the Reverend Mother knows exactly how to solve a problem like Maria. 🙄😒😑😐
Very interesting and well thought out analysis : D. I always liked the baroness and felt sorry for her.
What did I just watch?? LOL
The Baroness would never have been able to hike over the mountains - and she would not have been singing on stage with the "family" - and she wouldn't have been as mentally and emotionally invested in saving the children's lives - so the captain actually made the best choice in Maria who regularly hiked the mountains and probably knew secret trails - but your analysis and vocabulary are a lot of fun.
I think it's the reverand mother as the hero. She sent Maria off to be with the Captain and find her true calling and happiness.
R.I.P. Captain
The movie is titled "THE SOUND OF MUSIC" ... It is the "THE NANNY" who actually brings music into the lives of the Von Trapp family and therefore fulfills the theme of the movie, the Baroness is decent but she is part of the establishment who in the face of the invaders doesn't really feel threatened or in need to agitate (plus even as a Baroness you can't negotiate or solve problems when the other party has a gun to your face.... world governments tried and failed), on the other hand "THE NANNY" with her indomitable spirit is with the underdogs who suffer the brunt of aggression throughout history and in Maria's case her weapon is the sound of music which in this movie conveys beauty, hope, love, innocence, pride,joy, optimism togetherness.... all the qualities that that animate and fire up the human soul posing the greatest threat to the aggressor hence he wants to crush it more than anything. In the end it is not the Baroness' status or connections that would solve the problem because it is part of the status quo that is responsible in one way or the other for the emergence of the problem. The Captain can identify with the establishment (The Baroness) but for the sake of balance and ultimately "love", Maria is the better option even for his family and no life is/is meant to be perfect in this earthly realm what happens after the wedding was normal for most during WORLD WAR II, even the aggressors had it rough and failed in the end, besides safe can be boring and life should be an adventure.
I love the analysis but he wanted a mother for his children and to have a partner who could stand up to him, laughter and music and as a result he bonded with his children and that is what he got with Maria. A much better quality of life.
whats best for the capt or the kids, ?? your thoughts , i sense your saying the kids would eventually warm to the barroness?
I beg to differ his marriage to Maria “ the nanny” wasn’t the wrong choice at all. The Baroness was wealthy self centred and never connected with his children which I think more than anything else was his greatest need, to find a mother figure for his children -:)
This is not what sound of music is the story of. It’s the story of a nun who becomes a wife and brings music to the family amidst the war
Cynical point of view. The critic never refers to Maria by name - only calls her "the nanny." Eleanor Parker is beautiful and classy, but her character, the Baroness, does not relate very well to the children and is distant to them. The main idea of the story is that Maria brought music, spontaneity, and joy to a household that was very strict and regimented. Maria brought the family together again.
Eleanor Parker was a very underrated actress.
To those who are saying that it's not a joke.
Yes, it is. You have no sense of humor.
At least not about these kinds of things.
This kind of joke is called satire and parody.
And very well done satire and parody too.
It's not meant to be taken seriously overall, though it does have a few serious moments and does give us something to think about.
(Actually what it's making me think of right now is the "What if whatever movie were a horror movie" kind of videos, but that's still good too. ^_____^)
Good analisis❤
If you think his world fell apart because he married the nanny, you clearly have no idea how war works.
Such a graceful lady
Also I really couldn’t see the Baroness crossing the mountain in her heels!
Also she was the first woman he got involved with after the death of his wife five years earlier. Also Maria made a mistake, she was there as The Help, and when The Baroness saw Maria fawning over the Captain she had to assert herself as his girlfriend. Also although it was supposed to be "her" party, Maria was allowed to attend the party at Max's suggestion. She was very angry and rightfully so. Also Maria never had any male companions growing up. Georg is also captivated by her, and The Baroness saw that. Yet she was the true "hero" she loved Georg enough to let him go. Also Maria didn't want to be a Nun, now can you imagine what she would have done with her life, if Georg and The Baroness married.
I am playing the Baroness right now in the stage play and I do have to say that it is very easy from the movie to take this position. If you see the musical and her two songs it highlights precisely why she would not make a good wife for captain von Trapp. She takes a Switzerland type of you to the Nazis and is more worried about preserving and saving herself than what she believes in.
Great review!!! XDDD
I've recently been thinking Maria and the baroness were a much better match than Maria and Grumpy Captain
I agree
I'm here for the lesbians. In fact there are a few fanfics on AO3 on that. Go forth and read
"What about Schraeder wanting to ship the children off to boarding school?" It's a fair question.
I think it supports Schraeder being the hero. Boarding school is a pricey form of upper-class education, and would have been a classy and generous way to invest in the children's future while sheltering them from the traumas of World War II. In contrast, Maria dithered until after the Nazis had annexed Austria and conscripted Captain von Trapp, resulting in the family barely escaping by the skin of their teeth. It's true that the film romanticizes the von Trapp family's risky escape, but boarding school could have been the safe and rational alternative.
When the topic of boarding school came up Captain von Trapp made it clear that he did not intend this for his children as he himself had felt quite unhappy there. Therefore, a governess that he even had feelings for and who brought out the best in his children (he clearly was enchanted by their singing) was a logical choice.
Also, George was the one who kept believing in an independant Austria, hence he transferred his money from an English bank account to Austria and did not think about leaving. When he finally was drafted he anticipated war which was against his Christian values. He also did not want to serve in a regime led by Hitler, just like his son did not want to work as a doctor because he had heard how the Jews were treated. Austria as such did no longer exist which as a patriot was unbearable to him. Boarding school would not have changed any of this.
A boarding school in Nazi-occupied Austria...safe and classy ?? LOL I think we have a status-obsessed Nazi apologist in our midst, people.
lol at all of the defensiveness in the comments. How dare you besmirch the romantic reputation of this film :P
I hope this is tongue-in-cheek. The Baroness planned on packing the children off to boarding school; she said so; and she was an insecure manipulative shrew.
Maybe The Baroness and Captain Von Trapp weren’t meant to be together in this life but I am sure that they are now reunited and loving each other in heaven 😉❤️
This sounds like an “analysis” that was written by someone who chose to follow his logic over his soul in his own life and is trying to convince himself he made the right choice.
For himself, only he can make that call… but for this movie, there’s no point in arguing it because the story was already written and it was written as it should be.
He followed his heart and as the Bible says,
“Souls who follow their hearts, thrive”
Proverbs 13:19 (MSG)
'micro-cheating' hahahah
IKR! 🤣 This interpretation of the classic movie seems so twisted. The Soumd of Music, is my all time favorite movie. ❤✌Thank God he chose Maria, over the Baroness.
@@cheriangel60 Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it's twisted. He makes some relevant points if you look at it in a different perspective. The Baroness is not the villain of the piece
@@selina5598 but he glosses over all of the red flags in his relationship with the baroness. I don’t know about “twisted”, but certainly twisting the truth to suit whatever case he’s trying to make.
Beautifully true. And to remember she was a REAL person!
The Baroness was not a real person only a character made up for the movie and play. The boyfriend was also fictional. Remember that not everything potrayed in a film or play based on a true story is completely factual!!! If you want a more acturate true story watch the movie "The Von Trapp Family: A Life of Music." This movie is from the perspective of the eldest daughter Agathe. If I remeber correctly she was about 9 years old when their mother died.
@@ladyscarlet0802 Sorry but you’re wrong. Of course her name was changed! Her character was a real person.
In the book: “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers,” Maria describes her potential rival as Princess Yvonne, an Austrian noblewoman who had great wealth, and a fondness for Captain von Trapp. The oldest von Trapp daughter, Agathe, penned the Princess was not only a Vienesse countess, but actually a cousin of Georg’s first wife. The relationship between the Captain and the Princess took place over the course of several years, during which Georg asked Yvonne to consider marriage. Each time, however, the real “Baroness Schraeder” wanted to delay things a little, wanting the children to get older. By the time Maria arrived on the scene, both von Trapp and Princess Yvonne were planning marriage, though not officially engaged.
I appreciate the analysis. If I can say one non-sequitor then it will be this. As much as I enjoy Julie Andrews, I would have totally picked the baroness in this movie, Eleanor Parker.
Agreeing, with your final few lines and sentiments.
Maria was much !ore to him You can find a baroness everywhere Maria is one of a Lind and he knows it
The narrator is wrong, he's looking at it from a financial and social support category disregarding the honest love the captain and maria shared sothings will work out for the captain n maria on a movie concept lol but in real life things can work out. thus, I totally disagree with the narrator on this.
Lol moral of the story? Be careful who you marry? More like it was showing to choose true love over status.
Like the baroness would have coped with the kids and leaving the mansion 😂
If the Captain had married the baraneress instead of Maria he would of been a submarine Captain. At least 2/3rds of them sank with their ship
Ummm...No, the Baroness is not the real hero. Have you not fallen in love, Chris? The Captain merely followed his heart. Had he not, he would have felt miserable all his life and would have missed all his children growing up after being sent to the boarding school by your 'hero'. The story ended in a good way, the Von Trapp grand kids (in real life) are still singing up to this day. Don't change the script. LOL.
I loved Max, who was all about Max, until the end when he kept the audience waiting allowing the Von Trapps to escape the Nazis.
This human grenade lol
I read that the real Maria beat the children. After all, that was the usual practice in those days. And the Austrians have a reputation for being cold, unpleasant people.
I'm with Christopher Plummer who called the movie "the Sound of Mucus".
That's an interesting analysis of the Baroness. It shows the Baroness as a smart lady, who knows when it's a good time to "split" in a relationship..and the Reverend Mother in a rather wicked way.
She gets Maria fired from the Church and has Maria as the "homewrecker" when it comes to the break-up of two people, who represent the upper-middle class of Austrian Society. Then The Reverend Mother leads a team of women into sabotaging government property (Nazi Vehicles) and being accessories to getting a bunch of fugitives out of the country, that loses their entire family fortune and the head of the family as a Draft Dodger. And she and the nuns get away with it on the basis of "separation of church and state"..
Briliant!