My Two Cents
Thursday, 20 February 2025 11:25

BREAKING: Disney and 20th Century confirm Robert Wise’s restored THE SOUND OF MUSIC for 60th Anniversary 4K Ultra HD release this year!

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Heads up, Digital Bits faithful: The Walt Disney Company, 20th Century Studios, and Concord Theatricals and Originals have just officially announced the 4K restoration, theatrical re-release, and physical 4K Ultra HD release of Robert Wise’s The Sound of Music (1965)! The actual anniversary is on 3/2, but the theatrical and physical media release is currently set for “later this year.”

And if you’re a regular reader of The Bits, you’ll know that we first revealed that this title was coming in 4K UHD all the way back on November 5th of last year, so this will come as no surprise to you! (We also revealed a whole bunch of other 4K catalog titles that day, so you might want to go back and review the entire My Two Cents column from that day if you missed it.)

Here’s the full text of Disney’s press release from this morning...

CELEBRATING SIXTY YEARS OF THE SOUND OF MUSIC

With 4K Film Restoration and Worldwide Special Events
Add This to Your List of Favorite Things When The Sound of Music
Arrives All-New in Theaters and on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Later This Year!

BURBANK, CA (February 20, 2025) – This March 2, 2025 will mark 60 years since the tunes of Rodgers & Hammerstein brought theatrical hills alive with the cinematic treasure The Sound of Music. This year, fans of all ages will experience the heart-warming sights and sing-along sounds of the classic film in a beautifully restored and remastered version to be released in 4K image resolution, courtesy of the precise work endeavored by the Walt Disney Film Restoration team. Over the course of 9 months, the 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. [Read on here...]

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“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.”

Watch for future announcements on the rollout of 60th anniversary celebration for The Sound of Music and brush off your do-re-mi skills in the meantime!

About The 1965 Motion Picture

On March 2, 1965, 20th Century Fox premiered the movie version of The Sound of Music, directed by Robert Wise and starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, at the Rivoli Theatre in New York City, where it played for a record-setting 93 weeks. The movie’s initial U.S. release lasted four-and-a-half years, and from 1966 to 1972, The Sound of Music was cited by Variety as the “All-Time Box Office Champion.” It remains one of the most popular movie musicals ever made, featuring unforgettable Rodgers & Hammerstein favorites like “Edelweiss,” “My Favorite Things,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going On Seventeen,” “The Lonely Goatherd” and “The Sound of Music” The Sound of Music won five Academy Awards in 1966, including Best Picture.

About 20th Century Studios

20th Century Studios is an Academy Award-winning producer of theatrical feature films and critically acclaimed streaming releases. It is home to such iconic franchises as Avatar, Alien, Planet of the Apes, Predator, Die Hard, and Kingsman and creator of hit films including Bohemian Rhapsody, The Greatest Showman, The Martian, Ford v Ferrari and Free Guy. It also launched the successful Deadpool and X-Men film series, Oscar-winner West Side Story, 2022’s Prey, and 2023’s The Boogeyman. Recent releases include the global box office hits Alien: Romulus and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and the Oscar-winning box-office smash Avatar: The Way of Water. Previously known as 20th Century Fox prior to becoming a part of The Walt Disney Company, 20th Century Studios is recognized for its incredible 80-year legacy. It is the studio that brought the world the first six Star Wars films, in addition to standouts from across the decades, including Miracle on 34th Street, All About Eve, The King and I, The Sound of Music, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Princess Bride, True Lies, Edward Scissorhands, Home Alone, My Cousin Vinny, Speed, Cast Away, Moulin Rouge!, Minority Report, Gone Girl, and The Revenant.

The Sound of Music: 60th Anniversary

—END—

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.

Stay tuned!

- Bill Hunt

(You can follow Bill on social media on Twitter, BlueSky, and Facebook, and also here on Patreon)

 

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