The story begins with Maria being sent away from Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg where she has been a Postulant (apprentice Nun). She does not seem to fit in with the Abbey's strict regime and though she has a good heart she does not seem cut out for a life of religious devotion. The Mother Abbess decides to let her have time away to think and arranges for her to become Governess to the seven von Trapp children.

The Captain, a veteran of the Austro Hungarian navy from the First World War, has employed a series of Governesses to look after his children since his wife passed away, but none have lasted more than a few weeks. This is something of a mystery to the Captain as his children are always exceptionally well behaved in his authoritarian presence. "My children are a credit to my name"

The children miss their mother terribly and have become distanced from their father as he has withdrawn from them following her death. They victimise all their Governesses and the new one is a Nun......what fun!

How will Maria cope? Is there love on the horizon, and will it survive the Nazi Anschluss (annexation) of Captain von Trapp's beloved Austria?