The Evil of the Nazi Regime
The main theme of the movie is also its backdrop; the von Trapps are forced to escape from their home in Austria when the Germans annex the country, and immediately require all Austrian men who have served in the military to report for duty, fighting for Hitler. The film shows the brutality of the regime, and also the way in which trust between neighbors vanished immediately. Immediately Austria becomes a place where friends betray friends, neighbors become enemies, and anyone can inform on anyone. Another example of this is Rolfe, previously Liesl's boyfriend, now eager recruit to the Hitler Youth, unquestioning in his loyalty and prepared to help hunt down a family he has previously enjoyed spending time with.
The country becomes a terrifying place that people need to flee from, which shows the evil of the regime permeating every aspect of the lives of Austrians who were opposed to Hitler and his Reich.
The Musical von Trapps
One of the main themes of the movie is the singing group that was formed by the von Trapp children and their father. Their music was also the catalyst for so much of their story in the film; their singing brought them closer to their father, who had been acting more like a military drill sergeant since the death of his wife than a father. Their singing also helped deepen the Captain's feelings for Maria, because she has put so much into his children and their happiness. Finally, their music also saves their lives and enables them to escape the country, using their performance at the Salzburg Festival as a cover that allows them to "disappear" before anyone notices that they have gone.
Faith and Religion
Maria is a postulate, which means that she had applied to enter the abbey and become a nun there. However, she has a free spirit, a love of nature, of the outdoors, of music and dance. The abbey's Mother Abess is unsure that she will have the self discipline to conform to abbey life. However, she suggests other ways in which Maria can serve God, and her faith, without conforming to the strictures of the abbey.
The film also shows the loyalty that the nuns have to each other, as they help Maria and her family hide in the crypt at the abbey. They also sabotage the brownshirts' vehicles by removing part of the engines - they are self sufficient and are able to count mechanics as one of their skills. They believe that the von Trapps are fleeing evil, and their faith dictates that they help them do so.
