Maria Rainer, an impulsive postulant at the Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg, is sent by the Mother Abbess to work as governess to the seven children of the wealthy and demanding Captain Von Trapp, who is betrothed to socially prominent Elsa Schraeder. He soon discovers the charms of Maria, who has totally won the children’s hearts and proven a boon to their musical education. They fall in love and have a grand wedding at the Abbey. Faced with the Nazi invasion of Austria, the Captain is forced to examine his principles and plans to flee with his family after one final singing appearance at a Nazi sponsored festival. There is a heart stopping moment when they are almost caught, are saved by a surprising heroic act, and flee to the safety of Switzerland.