X
- 1961
- Approved
- United Artists
- 2 h 33 m
- 1961
- Approved
- United Artists
- 2 h 33 m
Summary Two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy.
Directed By: Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise
- 1961
- Approved
- United Artists
- 2 h 33 m
- 1961
- Approved
- United Artists
- 2 h 33 m
West Side Story
7.7
Where to Watch
Summary Two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy.
Directed By: Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 17 Critic Reviews
86
82% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
18% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 17 Critic Reviews
86
82% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
18% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
West Side Story has a nonpareil set of songs and dances, with ecstatic, exuberant, wonderful music by Leonard Bernstein and witty or heart-tearing lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. [Sing-a-long]
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 80 User Ratings
7.7
78% Positive
62 Ratings
62 Ratings
16% Mixed
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
6% Negative
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 80 User Ratings
7.7
78% Positive
62 Ratings
62 Ratings
16% Mixed
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
6% Negative
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
Through its legendary performances, lovable music, and important themes and messages. This classic Romeo and Juliet Masterpiece brings the Broadway musical to life as one of the greatest films in existence.
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West Side Story is a magnificent show, a milestone in movie musicals, a box-office smash. It is so good that superlatives are superfluous. Let it be noted that the film musical, the one dramatic form that is purely American and purely Hollywood, has never been done better
West Side Story remains a landmark of musical history. But if the drama had been as edgy as the choreography, if the lead performances had matched Moreno's fierce concentration, if the gangs had been more dangerous and less like bad-boy Archies and Jugheads, if the ending had delivered on the pathos and tragedy of the original, there's no telling what might have resulted.
When it's good, very good; when it's bad, a stinker.
There is one especially lovely moment. At their first meeting, lovestruck Tony asks Maria if her kindness to him is just a joke. She replies: "I have not yet learned to joke that way. Now I never will." This is a real big-screen event.
The irony of this hyped-up, slam-bang production is that those involved apparently don't really believe that beauty and romance can be expressed in modern rhythms, because whenever their Romeo and Juliet enter the scene, the dialogue becomes painfully old-fashioned and mawkish, the dancing turns to simpering, sickly romantic ballet, and sugary old stars hover in the sky. When true love enters the film, Bernstein abandons Gershwin and begins to echo Richard Rodgers, Rudolf Friml, and Victor Herbert.
West Side Story is one of the best, if not THE best, film adaptations of a musical to ever grace the cinema. Bernstein's score, Sondheim's lyrics, and Jerome Robbin's choreography hold up today, and the themes of hope, hatred, love, The American Dream, downtrodden youth, and racism still exist today, almost 57 years later. If you are a fan of musicals, classic cinema, or just film in general, you absolutely cannot miss West Side Story.
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First time that I saw West Side Story today. I must say, I really enjoyed the movie. Mostly because I was surprised to see the serious topics which it tackles, which were relevant back in the 60s, but are all, oh so, relevant even today. I enjoyed the performances for the most part, especially Rita Moreno and Richard Beymer. I did get annoyed at those bad "Puerto Rican" accents which were used by most of the Puerto Rican characters and which sounded more Italian or other European accents.
I really enjoyed the musical numbers and I loved how they used dancing in the fighting scenes. The only thing which was a bit cheesy was the fact that Tony and Maria meet and fall so madly in love in a matter of one evening. Looking forward to see what Spielberg will bring with the remake of this really amazing movie.
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Beautifully shot, edited and directed.
The film's somewhat predictable Romeo and Juliet story is elevated by some very impressive song and dance numbers, as well as its gorgeous cinematography and creative editing.
It's definitely a little too long, but it's great piece of filmmaking with some really biting commentary on racial discrimination (the song "America" is a perfect example).
I love the ending credits.
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With cool music and slick dance routines, this is a triumph. Maria and Tony have real chemistry. It makes serious points about gang culture and the way immigrants are viewed in American. You could question some of the acting, but it's not the sort of film where the acting really matters.
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Production Company
The Mirisch Corporation,
Seven Arts Productions
Release Date Dec 13, 1961
Duration 2 h 33 m
Rating Approved
Tagline "BEST PICTURE!" Winner of 10 Academy Awards! - 1961 (post-Oscar)
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 10 Wins & 11 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 3 Wins & 7 Nominations
Laurel Awards
• 3 Wins & 5 Nominations
