It's the dress. You'll have to put on another one before you meet the children.
But I don't have another one. When we entered the abbey our worldly clothes were given to the poor.
What about this one?
The poor didn't want this one.
You, Fraulein, will listen carefully. Learn their signals so that you can call them when you want them. Now, when I want you, this is what you will hear. [Blows whistle]
Oh, no, sir, I'm sorry, sir. I could never answer to a whistle. Whistles are for dogs and cats and other animals, but not for children, and definitely not for me. It would be... too humiliating.
Fraulein, were you this much trouble at the Abbey?
Oh, much more, sir.
Hmm.
Excuse me, sir, I don't know your signal.
Fraulein Maria, did I not say that bedtime is to be strictly observed in this household?
Yes, well the children were scared of the thunderstorm and... You did, sir.
And do you or do you not have trouble following these simple instructions?
Only during thunderstorms.
Can we really keep the puppet show Uncle Max?
Of course. Why else do you think I sent the bill to your father?
Ah Max, you are funny. Expensive, but very funny.
Yes, and I'm just an Austrian.
What's gonna happen's gonna happen. Just make sure it doesn't happen to you.
Max, don't you ever say that again!
You know I have no political convictions. Can I help it if other people do?
Oh yes you can help it. You must help it.
Is it possible, or could I have just imagined? Have my children by any chance been climbing trees today?
Yes, Captain.
I see. And where, may I ask, did they get these, uhm, these...
Playclothes.
Oh, is that what you call them?
I made them, from the drapes that used to hang in my bedroom...They still had plenty of wear left. The children have been everywhere in them.
Do you mean to tell me that my children have been roaming about Salzburg dressed up in nothing but some old drapes?!
Umm, hmm, and having a marvelous time.
They have uniforms.
Straitjackets, if you'll forgive me.
I will not forgive you for that.
Children cannot do all the things they're supposed to do if they have to worry about spoiling their precious clothes they wear....Well, they wouldn't dare. They love you too much. They fear you too much.
I don't wish you to discuss my children in this manner.
Well, you've got to hear it from someone. You're never home long enough to know them.
I said I don't want to hear any more from you about my children.
I know you don't, but you've got to! Oh please, Captain, love them, love them all.
Enough!.
But I'm not finished!
Oh yes you are, Captain! (corrects himself) Fraulein.
You've brought music back into the house? Fraulein, I want you to stay. I ask you to stay.
Is there a more beautiful expression of what is good in this country of ours than the innocent voices of our children?
Oh, come now, Baron, would you have us believe that Austria alone holds a monopoly on virtue?
Herr Zeller, some of us prefer Austrian voices raised in song to ugly, German threats.
The ostrich buries his head in the sand, and sometimes in the flag. [He turns toward the Austrian flag, prominently displayed] Perhaps those who would warn you that the Anschluss is coming - and it is coming, Captain - perhaps they would get further with you by setting their words to music.
If the Nazis take over Austria, I have no doubt, Herr Zeller, that you will be the entire trumpet section.
You flatter me, Captain.
Oh, how clumsy of me. I meant to accuse you.
I don't believe it, father...about Fraulein Maria.
She missed her life at the Abbey too much. She had to leave us - and that's all there is to it.
Who is our new governess going to be?
Well, you're not going to have a governess anymore...You're going to have a new mother...We talked about it last night. It's all settled. And we're all going to be very happy.
You left without saying goodbye, even to the children.
It was wrong of me, forgive me.
Why did you?
Please don't ask me. Anyway, the reason no longer exists.
May I wish you every happiness, Baroness? And you too, Captain. The children tell me you're to be married.
Thank you, my dear.
You are back to, uh, stay?
Only until arrangements can be made for another governess.
It's no use, you and I. I'm being dishonest to both of us and utterly unfair to you. When two people talk of marriage...
No, don't, don't say another word, Georg, please? You see, uh, there are other things I've been thinking of. Fond as I am of you, I really don't think you're the right man for me. You're much too independent and I need someone who needs me desperately, or at least needs my money desperately. I've enjoyed every moment we've had together. I do thank you for that. Now, if you'll forgive me, I'll go inside, pack my little bags, and return to Vienna where I belong. And somewhere out there is a young lady who I think will never be a nun. Auf Wiedersehen, darling.
Perhaps I had a wicked childhood, perhaps I had a miserable youth.
But somewhere in my wicked, miserable past, there must have been a moment of truth.
For here you are standing there loving me, whether or not you should.
So somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good.
Nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could.
So somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good.
For here you are standing there loving me, whether or not you should.
'[singing] Nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could
or childhood,
something good.
I hope you appreciate the sacrifice I'm making.
You have no choice.
I know... That's why I'm making it.
I've not asked you where you and your family are going. Nor have you asked me why I am here.
Well, apparently, we're both suffering from a deplorable lack of curiosity.
Now, Fraulein, I want a truthful answer from you.
Yes, Captain?
Is it possible, [pauses, then smiles briefly] or could I have just imagined...Have my children, by any chance, been climbing trees today?
Yes, Captain.
I see. And where, may I ask, did they get these, uhm, these...
Playclothes.
Oh, is that what you call them?
I made them, from the drapes that used to hang in my bedroom.
Drapes?
They still had plenty of wear left. The children have been everywhere in them.
Do you mean to tell me that my children have been roaming about Salzburg dressed up in nothing but some old drapes?!
Mm-hmm, and having a marvelous time.
They have uniforms.
Straitjackets, if you'll forgive me.
I will not forgive you for that.
Children can't do all the things they're supposed to if they have to worry about spoiling their precious clothes.
They haven't complained yet.
Well, they wouldn't dare! They love you too much. They fear you too much!
I don't wish you to discuss my children in this manner.
Well, you've got to hear from someone! You're never home long enough to know them.
I said I don't want to hear anymore from you about my children!
I know you don't, but you've got to! Now, take Liesl.
You will not say one word about Liesl, Fraulein.
She's not a child anymore, and one of these days, you're going to wake up and find that she's a woman. You won't even know her. And Friedrich, he's a boy, but he wants to be a man and there's no one to show him how.
Don't you DARE tell ME about my son!
Brigitta could tell you about him if you let her get close to you. She notices everything.
Fraulein...
And Kurt pretends he's tough not to show how hurt he is when you brush him aside...
That will do!
...the way you do all of them. Louisa I don't even know about yet...
I said that will do!
But somebody has to find out about her, and the little ones just want to be loved. Oh, please, Captain, love them! Love them all!
I don't care to hear anything further from you about my children.
I'm not finished yet, Captain!
Oh, yes, you are, Captain! [pauses as Maria stares at him, then corrects himself] Fraulein. You will pack your things this minute, and return to the abbey.
What's that?
Yes, I realize it's singing, but who is singing?
The children?
I taught them something to sing for the Baroness.
...
Fraulein. I behaved badly. I apologize.
Well, I'm-I'm far too outspoken. It's one of my worst faults.
You were right. I don't know my children.
There's still time, Captain. They want so much to be close to you.
You've brought music back into the house. I'd forgotten. Fraulein, I want you to stay. I ask you to stay.
If I could be of any help.
You have already. More than you know.
