The Sound of Music is more than just a movie. For millions around the world, it’s a cherished tradition, a musical masterpiece, and a window into the hills of Austria. But even legends have their quirks—and the story behind this beloved film is filled with unexpected twists, real-life mishaps, and little-known facts that make it even more fascinating.

From on-set accidents to secret casting doubts, here are 16 surprising truths and bloopers that made their way into the final cut—or shaped the story behind the scenes.

1. Julie Andrews: Maria With No Guitar Experience

It’s impossible to imagine anyone but Julie Andrews as Maria, strumming the guitar and singing “Do-Re-Mi.” But did you know Andrews had never played the guitar before filming? She had to learn the basics quickly, and found it tough to sing and play at the same time—especially with cameras rolling. To calm her nerves, she sometimes took a small sip of Austrian schnapps before guitar scenes. Even Captain von Trapp himself, Christopher Plummer, took lessons for his role, but his singing and guitar playing were ultimately dubbed by professionals.

2. The Rowboat Scene: A Real-Life Scare for Little Gretl

Remember the iconic scene where the von Trapp family’s rowboat tips over? It turns out, Kym Karath (who played Gretl) couldn’t swim. Julie Andrews was supposed to save her, but lost her balance and fell the wrong way. Kym swallowed a lot of water and ended up getting sick—right on co-star Heather Menzies! Thankfully, everyone was okay in the end, but it was a genuinely frightening moment for the cast.

3. Christopher Plummer: The Captain Who Hated the Job

Christopher Plummer, who played the stern Captain von Trapp, didn’t enjoy working on the film. He found the story too sweet, jokingly calling it “The Sound of Mucus.” To cope, he indulged in food and drink, gaining so much weight that his costumes had to be resized. Still, Plummer later admitted he respected the film’s impact and the love it received from fans.

4. The House Wasn’t Real—And Neither Was the Gazebo

The majestic von Trapp home you see on screen isn’t the real family house. Filmmakers combined two different Austrian mansions for the exterior shots, while all interior scenes were filmed on Hollywood sets. Even the famous gazebo from “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” was a purpose-built prop, now relocated to Hellbrunn Palace in Salzburg for fans to visit.

5. “Edelweiss”: Not an Austrian Anthem

“Edelweiss” feels like a classic Austrian folk song, but it was written in the U.S. by Rodgers and Hammerstein for the Broadway musical. It was the last song they ever wrote together, with Oscar Hammerstein passing away just nine months after the show’s debut. Despite its American origins, “Edelweiss” became so beloved that many mistook it for Austria’s national anthem.

6. Maria von Trapp Signed Away Her Story—for Peanuts

In 1956, Maria von Trapp sold the rights to her story for just $10,000, believing she wasn’t eligible for royalties as a non-German citizen. The producer who bought her story lied—there was no such law. While Rodgers and Hammerstein generously gave the family a small share of profits, it was only a fraction of what they could have earned. Still, Maria later said the joy the film brought to the world was worth more than money.

7. Maria Was Hired to Teach Just One Child

The real Maria von Trapp didn’t start as a governess for seven children. She was hired in 1926 to tutor one daughter, also named Maria, who was recovering from scarlet fever. Her plan was to stay for ten months before becoming a nun—but fate had other plans.

8. Julie Andrews Wasn’t the Director’s First Choice

Screenwriter Ernest Lehman always wanted Julie Andrews for Maria, but director Robert Wise considered Grace Kelly and Shirley Jones first. It wasn’t until he saw early footage of Andrews in Mary Poppins that he was convinced. Andrews hesitated at first, not wanting the film to be too sugary, but ultimately accepted—and the rest is history.

9. Captain von Trapp: A Loving Father, Not a Tyrant

The real Captain Georg von Trapp was nothing like his stern on-screen persona. While he did use a whistle and dress his kids in sailor suits, he was kind, generous, and deeply affectionate. In fact, it was Maria, the stepmother, who had to learn how to show warmth after her strict upbringing.

10. The Family’s Musical Mentor Was Left Out

Father Franz Wasner, the family’s real-life musical director, was crucial to their success. He helped transform them into a professional singing group and even escaped Austria with them. For the film, his character was replaced by the fictional Max Detweiler, so as not to distract from Maria’s story.

11. The Real Maria Was a Firecracker

On screen, Maria is sweet and shy. In real life, she was mischievous and full of energy—breaking dishes, running around the abbey, and even whistling Gregorian chants. She later described herself as “the worst you can imagine” during her convent days!

12. Maria Wasn’t Sure About Marrying Georg

Their romance wasn’t love at first sight. Maria married Captain von Trapp primarily out of love for his children, not for him. Over time, real love blossomed between them, but their marriage began as a partnership for the family’s sake.

13. The Family Didn’t Flee Over the Mountains

The film’s climactic escape through the mountains never happened. The von Trapps left Austria by train in broad daylight, pretending they were simply going on a trip. They made their way to Italy, then London, and finally America—where they began their new life as performers.

14. The Family Wasn’t Wealthy

Despite living in a grand home onscreen, the real von Trapps lost most of their wealth during the Great Depression. To make ends meet, they rented out rooms and started performing music professionally, eventually winning a major festival and launching their singing career.

15. The Children’s Names Were Changed

The seven von Trapp children in the movie have different names, ages, and personalities than their real-life counterparts. In reality, the oldest child was Rupert, not Liesl, and there were actually ten von Trapp children in total—seven from Georg’s first marriage, and three born to Maria.

16. The Movie That Saved a Studio

Twentieth Century Fox was nearly bankrupt after the massive flop of Cleopatra. Then came The Sound of Music. The studio doubted its potential, but audiences fell in love. The film became the highest-grossing movie of 1965, and by 1966, it had surpassed Gone with the Wind as the biggest box office success of all time—rescuing Fox from financial disaster.

The Sound of Music endures not just because of its unforgettable songs and heartwarming story, but because of the real people, happy accidents, and behind-the-scenes drama that made it possible. Next time you watch Maria twirl in the hills, remember: even classics have their quirks, and sometimes, the true story is even more captivating than the film.

If you loved these behind-the-scenes secrets, share your favorite Sound of Music moment in the comments—and don’t forget to pass this story on to a fellow fan!