|
Post by indigoblue on Nov 5, 2014 21:34:42 GMT
I have to say this film has made me look deeper into history, too; I find I am suddenly interested in anything related to the AustroHungarian Empire, the Second World, Nazi Germany,etc, which might previously have passed me by, and have read books and articles I never would have dreamed of reading before. Very educational!
|
|
|
Post by cass on Nov 7, 2014 20:51:17 GMT
I love you all. utility_singer, you hit the nail on the head: most people indeed do not watch this film as adults, and if they do, many of them view it through the eyes of their children, or hold onto their childhood view of it most stubbornly (or they're watching ABC Family's complete hackjob version). However, I do think that more people acknowledge the more... grown up angle than is obvious, since the film has retained its staggeringly massive appeal through the past fifty years. If it were merely viewed at the level of happy-go-lucky sublime musical that gives everyone warm fuzzies, it would have faded by now -- though I recognize that this in itself is a powerful aspect of the film's enduring reach. I actually find the film's end to be horribly depressing. Yes, they've escaped, but who the hell knows what lies over those mountains? Switzerland's neutrality was not the be-all end-all. And that's another thing. In my experience, most people who see beyond the surface of the film know plenty about the history surrounding the film's content, and within the German and European context of the war. It really still amazes me how thorough the film is, and does not take such a one-dimensional approach to the Nazi threat as it may initially appear, since this is, after all, an American film and the American view of the war was very different from that of Europe, especially as we didn't even get into the thick of things until the tail end of 1941. That is not to say there is not bias, as some is definitely present in the approach, but overall -- wow. As for what moves people to delve into fanfic and sexytimes within it... I can only speak for myself. It seems an awful shame for such a beautifully-crafted film to stop when the credits roll and the screen fades to black. I've always been something of a fantasizer and I loved to pretend I was one of the children, or better yet, Maria. I have also always been incredibly drawn to the mystery of what makes couples click and interpersonal relationships sink or float. Suffice it to say, I have never had great examples of healthy relationships in my life, up to now with my dad and his girlfriend (I ship them so hard, you guys, omg). I latched onto the love story of TSOM as a small child because it was beautiful to me, and who doesn't dream of having that? I can pretty much identify the switch flipping at around 14 when I realized how incredibly attractive Chris is, and it dawned on me that romantic love is not usually something that just happens at face value to succeed or fail. All I wanted was to play with that and make sense of it myself, so I did. It so happens that TSOM probably is the best vessel that encompasses much of that because as the years go by, there's always something else that is inherent in the film that makes it so incredibly easy to channel.
|
|
|
Post by utility_singer on Nov 7, 2014 23:58:54 GMT
And as my husband says every time he catches the end, "and they walk right into Hitler's backyard!" I think in another thread, we touched on the importance of almost all of the adults either being Jewish or relating to the war in a very personal way (even Julie, through the blitz). That certainly had a hand in depicting the gravity of the situation they were in.
|
|
|
Post by indigoblue on Nov 8, 2014 0:27:21 GMT
I think that is one of the secrets of the film's success, the fact that you can look at it on so many levels and enjoy it at any one; for the kids, it's the film about them (the same-aged children), and I can remember identifying closely with Gretl when I was 5, then the romance/deep love/love triangle for the adults to relate to, and the political stuff/history which holds true however deeply you look at it. Your comment, Cass about Max Detweiler having a Jewish name, for example, relit my curiosity about aspects of life in Vienna at that- time, and what Georg's viewpoint would have been- taking me way beyond the bones of the film itself.
If I compare this to the stage version, that seems to be pale and shallow in comparison.
|
|
|
Post by utility_singer on Nov 8, 2014 0:31:56 GMT
Truly the only thing in common with the stage version are some of the songs and the basic outline. The original stage show was written as a vehicle for Mary Martin (far too old, IMO) and it shows.
The screenplay has so much nuance to it, it really isn't the same story anymore.
|
|
|
Post by sagaofjenny on Nov 8, 2014 1:52:37 GMT
Not to mention: where's all the romance in the stage version??? It had almost no room for the relationship between Maria and Georg to bloom and grow (sorry). That (and everything else) was pretty rushed and a bit hard to swallow. I mean, of course we have to be grateful for it because no musical means no movie, but the film was truly an improvement in nearly every aspect. I'd say the only thing I enjoyed more from the stage version was some of the little jokes, but they were pretty unimportant and wouldn't have fit into the atmosphere of the film at all, so no great loss.
And I completely agree, utility_singer. It may have been a vehicle for Mary Martin, but it was meant to be driven by somebody else.
Anyway, since I haven't contributed to the main topic of discussion yet: I'll admit that I am a little secretive about the extent of my fascination with TSOM. My friends know that I adore the film and everything else to do with Julie, but I don't think they realize just how much. Certainly I'm never letting them see me on FFnet! They do all love TSOM too, but they don't squeal and jump up and down in their seats during the Ländler, or any of the other things I do....
Like everyone else, it's led me to wanting to learn a lot more about the historical stuff, both to do with the Trapp family and the general situation in Austria leading up to WWII. Super interesting.
|
|
|
Post by cass on Nov 9, 2014 3:15:05 GMT
A friend and I once dubbed the Ländler as sex with no clothes on and barely any touching, so I'm right with you there on that, sagaofjenny. I usually just have to watch it 3-5 times while viewing and several times afterward. I go bonkers. I'm very lucky in that my nearest and dearest absolutely understand this and see it too. My bestie in college, who does not generally like musicals, demands that we rewatch the Ländler whenever we watch TSOM. I'm still freaking out and she's diving for the DVD controls. It's excellent. The Ländler is basically the keystone of the romance. Which is probably down to Julie and Chris, because it's dull as dishwater on stage and I have yet to see a production where the actors actually know how to dance properly with easy rhythm and free movement -- way too much stiffness, and this is a very relaxed, elegant dance. I would be very interested to see the show revived on Broadway. In the right hands, the entire show could be reworked into something truly stunning based on Lehman's improvements. In the meantime, ALL the fanfic!
|
|
|
Post by patrickssong on Nov 9, 2014 6:09:18 GMT
I have always been a bit protective about my likes and dislikes, mainly because I am quite a shy person when it comes to my passions. People think I'm weird enough as it is. Although when Paul Newman died, I had a friend send me a text message of condolence which I thought was very sweet. But since joining this forum, I am really loving the analysis and being able to try something different with people you can feel comfortable with.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2014 11:27:02 GMT
A friend and I once dubbed the Ländler as sex with no clothes on and barely any touching, YES!!!!!!! Exactly.
|
|
|
Post by utility_singer on Nov 9, 2014 13:21:56 GMT
A friend and I once dubbed the Ländler as sex with no clothes on and barely any touching, YES!!!!!!! Exactly. Click to enlarge. If that isn't 'eye sex' I don't know what is.
|
|
|
Post by indigoblue on Nov 9, 2014 23:18:20 GMT
Don't you mean 'Sex WITH clothes on and barely any touching'?!!
Or even better, 'Sex without taking your clothes off and barely touching'....mmmm....yes please!
|
|
|
Post by cass on Nov 10, 2014 2:02:56 GMT
Did I write that wrong? I just glanced at it and I still didn't notice. Then again, my brain has been overtired way too much lately. Freudian slip? Can't say I'm complaining. Y'all know what I meant, lol.
|
|
|
Post by cass on Nov 10, 2014 2:05:54 GMT
Click to enlarge. If that isn't 'eye sex' I don't know what is. They're staring into the windows of each other's souls and discovering all their deepest darkest secrets and fears and yum. That's all I got.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 4:44:44 GMT
Don't you mean 'Sex WITH clothes on and barely any touching'?!! Or even better, 'Sex without taking your clothes off and barely touching'....mmmm....yes please! exactly that in the next UCOD chapter when they dance the Laendler together. Very very very hot.
|
|
|
Post by cass on Jan 25, 2015 4:37:46 GMT
|
|
Sorcha
Junior Member
Temporary university-related hiatus is nearly over yay!!!!
Posts: 53
|
Post by Sorcha on Dec 26, 2015 12:34:44 GMT
I write for quite a few different fandoms - Hunger Games, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Song of Achilles etc - and my friends and family know that I write - my best friend writes as well. My parents know that I'm constantly reading fanfiction, and it took ages for them to get used to the idea of fanfiction as actually a really good thing, not just a stupid plagiarism thing that people with no creativity did. People at school think its quite cool, actually. Some of my best work has been fanfiction and I think it's fantastic for developing your skills cause it's often harder to write an already-developed character than it is to make up your own because you have to attempt to adhere to canon unless you're intentionally going OOC.
Sorry, that was a bit of a rant. Maybe it's because me and my friends have grown up reading fanfic and that somehow makes it less of a big deal??? Don't know!
My brother thinks its all smut and Mary Sues which is annoying and awkward because it's most definitely not...and is there anyone else who doesn't really like writing smut? Maybe it's just because I'm an awkward teenager, I don't know - all of that stuff is still a bit of a mystery to me so I get a bit uncomfortable writing it! :')
|
|
|
Post by augiesannie on Dec 28, 2015 0:25:37 GMT
when I first started writing fanfic I thought I'd be too embarassed to write smut (and I am much older than you) but I seem to have gotten over it ;-)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2015 1:05:59 GMT
when I first started writing fanfic I thought I'd be too embarassed to write smut (and I am much older than you) but I seem to have gotten over it ;-) Oh me too!
|
|
|
Post by nicky on Dec 28, 2015 8:42:05 GMT
when I first started writing fanfic I thought I'd be too embarassed to write smut (and I am much older than you) but I seem to have gotten over it ;-) I think it's the hardest thing to write. All the advice seems to point towards "less is more" It's often best to leave much of the detail to the imagination! I once wrote a smutty story for another fandom which was a total spoof. I was challenged to use as many cringeworthy phrases and go as over the top as possible. Turned out to be quite a funny story!
|
|
|
Post by utility_singer on Dec 29, 2015 13:06:06 GMT
Phrasing and word choice are everything when writing about sexytimes.
|
|
|
Post by thebeestings on Dec 29, 2015 16:50:46 GMT
when I first started writing fanfic I thought I'd be too embarassed to write smut (and I am much older than you) but I seem to have gotten over it ;-) And we have all been reaping the benefits ever since! And a huge yes to you utility_singer--word choice is everything...
|
|
|
Post by augiesannie on Dec 29, 2015 16:53:20 GMT
when I first started writing fanfic I thought I'd be too embarassed to write smut (and I am much older than you) but I seem to have gotten over it ;-) And we have all been reaping the benefits ever since! And a huge yes to you utility_singer--word choice is everything... have you seen the ff.net guide to writing smut? one of you (not saying who) pointed me towards it. though parts of it are embarassing or revolting, it's quite helpful. Here's a link: linkAlthough if you google, there are many such resources available. i've always thought that nouns are squirmy and verbs are the way to go, myself.
|
|
Sorcha
Junior Member
Temporary university-related hiatus is nearly over yay!!!!
Posts: 53
|
Post by Sorcha on Dec 30, 2015 10:52:04 GMT
I generally avoid it by giving the couple a shove in the direction of the bedroom and shutting the door!!!
|
|
|
Post by utility_singer on Dec 30, 2015 12:47:39 GMT
I generally avoid it by giving the couple a shove in the direction of the bedroom and shutting the door!!! LOL Whatever works!
|
|
|
Post by augiesannie on Jan 2, 2016 1:43:12 GMT
I generally avoid it by giving the couple a shove in the direction of the bedroom and shutting the door!!! LOL Whatever works! Yes, agreed, also, because the imagination is sometimes a better author than I can be, anyway. I always think it's funny when I end a scene or story with the hint of hot times ahead (like the planned upcoming camping trip in the Stowe story I just wrote) and everyone wants to know what happened when M&G are finally alone in that tent. You can probably think of something better than I can write!
|
|
|
Post by utility_singer on Jan 2, 2016 3:46:55 GMT
Yeah, but comparing what you write with what I come up with is part of the fun!
|
|
|
Post by clarinetjamie on Jan 2, 2016 5:26:53 GMT
Yes, agreed, also, because the imagination is sometimes a better author than I can be, anyway. I always think it's funny when I end a scene or story with the hint of hot times ahead (like the planned upcoming camping trip in the Stowe story I just wrote) and everyone wants to know what happened when M&G are finally alone in that tent. You can probably think of something better than I can write! Lol, yes, I think I left one of those reviews wanting to know about that camping trip, but I think we all know what went down in that tent.
|
|
|
Post by nicky on Jan 2, 2016 9:12:37 GMT
Yes, agreed, also, because the imagination is sometimes a better author than I can be, anyway. I always think it's funny when I end a scene or story with the hint of hot times ahead (like the planned upcoming camping trip in the Stowe story I just wrote) and everyone wants to know what happened when M&G are finally alone in that tent. You can probably think of something better than I can write! Lol, yes, I think I left one of those reviews wanting to know about that camping trip, but I think we all know what went down in that tent. Or rather, what went up! Sorry notsorry
|
|
|
Post by mie779 on Jan 28, 2016 22:08:10 GMT
Lol, yes, I think I left one of those reviews wanting to know about that camping trip, but I think we all know what went down in that tent. Or rather, what went up! Sorry notsorry I also left you a review like that @augiesannie .... but I can all but imagine what went on in that tent... the beauty of my weird imagination... and a million thanks for that story BTW....
|
|
|
Post by augiesannie on Jan 31, 2016 0:46:51 GMT
Or rather, what went up! Sorry notsorry I also left you a review like that @augiesannie .... but I can all but imagine what went on in that tent... the beauty of my weird imagination... and a million thanks for that story BTW.... It was my pleasure. I know what life with a new baby can be like (though I never had to do it with three, hats off to you and utility_singer and others who so qualify) and I am sending a dozen hugs your way. I'm sure you're doing an awesome job.
|
|