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This brilliant (The New Republic) film sets the ageless story of Romeo and Juliet against a backdrop of gang warfare in 1950s New York. Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins and scripted by Ernest Lehman, the film combines Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's unforgettable score ( Maria, America, 'somewhere, 'tonight ) with Robbins own exuberant choreography to achieve an exhilarating work of art (Saturday Review). A love affair is fated for tragedy amidst the vicious rivalry of two street gangsthe Jets and the Sharks. When Jets member Tony (RichardBeymer) falls for Maria (Natalie Wood), the sister of the Sharks leader, it's more than these two warring gangs can handle. And as mounting tensions rise, a battle to the death ensues, and innocent blood is shed in a heartbreaking finale.
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See more technical detailsBy Susan L. Wiesner (atlanta)
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!
By Jane B. Miller (GEORGETOWN MAINE USA)
the dvd has a constant hum. Will be sending it back. thanks.
By Milton Papas
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.
By Wayne D. Olson (Bloomington, MN)
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.
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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)
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