<P> The film was released on March 2, 1965 in the United States, initially as a limited roadshow theatrical release . Although critical response to the film was widely mixed, the film was a major commercial success, becoming the number one box office movie after four weeks, and the highest - grossing film of 1965 . By November 1966, The Sound of Music had become the highest - grossing film of all - time--surpassing Gone with the Wind--and held that distinction for five years . The film was just as popular throughout the world, breaking previous box - office records in twenty - nine countries . Following an initial theatrical release that lasted four and a half years, and two successful re-releases, the film sold 283 million admissions worldwide and earned a total worldwide gross of $286,000,000 . </P> <P> The Sound of Music received five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director . The film also received two Golden Globe Awards, for Best Motion Picture and Best Actress, the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement, and the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Written American Musical . In 1998, the American Film Institute (AFI) listed The Sound of Music as the fifty - fifth greatest American movie of all time, and the fourth greatest movie musical . In 2001, the United States Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the National Film Registry, finding it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". </P> <P> Maria is a free - spirited young Austrian woman studying to become a nun at Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg in 1938 . Her love of music and the mountains, her youthful enthusiasm and imagination, and her lack of discipline cause some concern among the nuns . The Mother Abbess, believing Maria would be happier outside the abbey, sends her to the villa of retired naval officer Captain Georg von Trapp to be governess to his seven children--Liesl, Friedrich, Louisa, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta, and Gretl . The Captain has been raising his children alone using strict military discipline following the death of his wife . Although the children misbehave at first, Maria responds with kindness and patience, and soon the children come to trust and respect her . Liesl, the oldest, is won over after Maria protects her from discovery when she is nearly caught sneaking back into the house after meeting Rolfe, a delivery boy she is in love with . </P> <P> While the Captain is away in Vienna, Maria makes play clothes for the children and takes them around Salzburg and the surrounding mountains, and she teaches them how to sing . When the Captain returns to the villa with Baroness Elsa Schraeder, a wealthy socialite, and their mutual friend, Max Detweiler, they are greeted by Maria and the children returning from a boat ride on the lake that concludes when their boat overturns . Displeased by his children's clothes and activities, and Maria's impassioned appeal that he get closer to his children, the Captain orders her to return to the abbey . Just then he hears singing coming from inside the house and is astonished to see his children singing for the Baroness . Filled with emotion, the Captain joins his children, singing for the first time in years . Afterwards, he apologizes to Maria and asks her to stay . </P>

Where did the story of the sound of music take place