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West Side Story (1961)
Released By: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment   Rating: Not Rated   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Genre: Musical
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Jerome Robbins
Language: English
Official Website: http://www.westsidestory-themovie.com/
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: George Chakiris, Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn
Published ID: 474
UPC: 027616673329, 027616884343, 027616898807, 027616089830,
Plot: {+Romeo and Juliet} is updated to the tenements of New York City in this Oscar-winning musical landmark. Adapted by Ernest Lehman from the Broadway production, the movie opens with an overhead shot of Manhattan, an effect that director Robert Wise would repeat over the Alps in The Sound of Music four years later. We are introduced to two rival street gangs: the Jets, second-generation American teens, and the Sharks, Puerto Rican immigrants. When the war between the Jets and Sharks reaches a fever pitch, Jets leader Riff (Russ Tamblyn) decides to challenge the Sharks to one last winner take all rumble. He decides to meet Sharks leader Bernardo (George Chakiris) for a war council at a gymnasium dance; to bolster his argument, Riff wants his old pal Tony (Richard Beymer), the cofounder of the Jets, to come along. But Tony has set his sights on vistas beyond the neighborhood and has fallen in love with Bernardo's sister, Maria (Natalie Wood), a love that, as in {+Romeo and Juliet}, will eventually end in tragedy. In contrast to the usual slash-and-burn policy of Hollywood musical adaptations, all the songs written by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim for the original Broadway production of West Side Story were retained for the film version, although some alterations were made to appease the Hollywood censors, and the original order of two songs was reversed for stronger dramatic impact. The movie more than retains the original choreography of Jerome Robbins, which is recreated in some of the most startling and balletic dance sequences ever recorded on film. West Side Story won an almost-record ten Oscars, including Best Picture, supporting awards to Chakiris and Rita Moreno as Bernardo's girlfriend, Anita, and Best Director to Robbins and Wise. Richard Beymer's singing was dubbed by Jimmy Bryant, Natalie Wood's by Marni Nixon (who also dubbed Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady), and Rita Moreno's by Betty Wand. The film's New York tenement locations were later razed to make room for Lincoln Center. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
disney has nothing on the classics
Added 9/19/2009

we purchased this film for our granddaughter, who is now hooked. Fabulous choreography. Wonderful moral story. Let's not forget the classics in this Disney world!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
West Side STory...dvd
Added 8/21/2009

the dvd has a constant hum. Will be sending it back. thanks.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
no update on 1961 movie T
Added 8/18/2009

The movie West Side Story won 10 Awards. You would think that a update DVD would have been made,but no. The colors are washed out which ruins quite a bit of the movie. You would think someone would have remaster to protect this classic movie.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
John du Prey - Classical Review
Added 6/17/2009

Romantically speaking, the delicate crescendo of unfinished love dominates this powerful classic (easily one of the finest dramatic musicals ever produced). The unfolding of love, passion, and intimacy between Tony and Maria, like the riptide, spills into the soul of this film. Their whispered and orchestrated words on the balcony create nuances beyond the realm of normal drama. Their marriage before God establishes their union, solidifies the romantic crescendo, and allows Maria to mourn her husband's death at the end. It is a complete tragedy on all respective levels.

All meetings between Tony (played by Richard Beymer) and Maria (played by Natalie Wood) are stunning in presentation. The musical overtures are superb, the dancing is brilliant, and the conflict between the Jets and Sharks (women included) has its own originality in classical terms. Yet, Maria alone commands the stage in virtually all tender moments (except those involving Anita); our heroine's softness, intelligence, and untested wisdom establishes her emotive control of the play (start to finish). In as much as her humility does not detract from the other powerful performances, Maria displays honor, sacrifice, depth, and commitment throughout the entire drama. We observe Natalie Wood in her finest hour as a gifted actress.

The principles of romantic tragedy dominant this play in its careful adherence to the plot and character development within Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (who is Maria's unspoken mentor in matters of passion and control of one's lover). She redirects Tony away from secreted romance into the tragic consequences of interfering with the rumble; the deaths of Bernardo (her brother) and Riff (Tony's closest friend) are related (within dramatic irony) to her secret intervention (supposedly on their behalf). In truth, this masterpiece resides in both categories, tragedy and romance; bound (perhaps) by her mournful voice, "Don't you touch him!" Our catharsis is directly affected by Maria's youthful passion related to unfinished love in its most delicate stages.

1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Felt liked rated R. . . COOL!
Added 5/29/2009

When my grandma and grampa came out to visit us (my family), daddy found West Side Story just coming on. So we sat to watch it.

It is kinda like modern (not-so modern now) Romeo and Juilet. Only, it includes graffiti, that short guy who wants to be with the good guys, and a few more.

I think I gave West Side Story a four because the use of teens smoking, the good guys leader telling his 'buddys' to bring guns, knives, swords, ect.. I also gave four stars 'cause the ending is kinda sad. My mom started crying and was really, really in your face, like, 'Ohhh, Tony died, shame on Chico.'

P.S. I was eight when I saw this. . . it really should have been rated R (mild violence, language)

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
disney has nothing on the classics
Added 9/19/2009

we purchased this film for our granddaughter, who is now hooked. Fabulous choreography. Wonderful moral story. Let's not forget the classics in this Disney world!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
West Side STory...dvd
Added 8/21/2009

the dvd has a constant hum. Will be sending it back. thanks.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
no update on 1961 movie T
Added 8/18/2009

The movie West Side Story won 10 Awards. You would think that a update DVD would have been made,but no. The colors are washed out which ruins quite a bit of the movie. You would think someone would have remaster to protect this classic movie.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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