Production Starts on Film Chronicling Famed von Trapp Family

MUNICH/SALZBURG: Production has begun in Germany on The Trapp Family: A Life of Music, a film about the real-life clan that inspired The Sound of Music.

Based on the autobiography of Agathe von Trapp, the eldest daughter of the celebrated family, the film is expected to shoot until mid June in Salzburg and Bavaria. Oscar-winner Vanessa Redgrave stars, along with Matthew Macfadyen, Eliza Hope Bennett, Cornelius Obonya and others. The film is due out this winter.

Clasart Film is producing, in cooperation with ORF and Concorde Media, with Herbert G. Kloiber serving as exec producer. Constantin Film Vienna will handle theatrical distribution for Austria, while Concorde Filmverleih holds the rights for Germany. TM International will distribute internationally.

The Sound of Music, which originally told the story of the musical von Trapp family's escape from Nazis and won five Oscars, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.