MovieChat Forums > The Sound of Music (1965) Discussion > Shadow on Peggy Wood

Shadow on Peggy Wood

posted 8 years ago by shulma2002
5 replies | jump to latest

After viewing SOM many times, we noticed that Peggy Wood who was dubbed, was performing Climb Every Mountain mostly in a shadow, making it difficult to see her mouth the words. Was this done because she had difficulty lip synching or for dramatic effect?

[–] razor323 8 years ago

Exactly. Well, plus, it was a dark office.

[–] strntz 8 years ago

Was this done because she had difficulty lip synching or for dramatic effect?

Purely my opinion, but I believe it was for dramatic effect. That is one of the most powerful and perfectly staged scenes ever photographed in my opinion. The lighting, the shadows, Peggy Wood almost in silhouette as she gazed at the mountains during the song's climax etc. is so captivating that if it was done for lip syncing reasons it was the most fortuitous shot in cinema.

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[–] rorysa 8 years ago

Wise explained that when he saw the show performed after signing on to direct the film, the character had come out to center stage and belted out the number--he was very put off by that and resolved to film it the opposite, in a very subdued manner.

[–] sjbradford (48) 8 years ago

>>The character had come out to center stage and belted out the number<<

Which is exactly what Audra MacDonald did in the live TV version from a few years ago. And it was obnoxious - she practically screamed, "Everyone look at me, with my big showy number!" Obnoxious.

[–] strntz (12285) 7 years ago

Wise explained that when he saw the show performed after signing on to direct the film, the character had come out to center stage and belted out the number--he was very put off by that and resolved to film it the opposite, in a very subdued manner.

That's where Wise earned his paycheck. Belting out would show the actor's pipes, but would not explain exactly what was at stake.

Reverend Mother was explaining to Maria that before she committed to a cloistered life, she should be absolutely *sure* that's what would be best for her. Having Rev Mother look out the window at the mountains in silhouette gave me the idea that while living a cloistered life as a nun was a good life for her, perhaps she was wistful a bit and wondering what it would have been like to be free to run up into those mountains on a glorious day herself. Regret? No, but she did emote in song and shadow what sacrifices were to be made to enter the cloth.

Just a wonderful scene in my opinion. Perfectly filmed in every way.