Bernstein's music, Sondheim's lyrics and Robbins's choreography are great, but as a movie it falls short of the truly inspired cinematic musicals.
2 Comments
02/19/08
West Side Story (1961)
92
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:49
Fresh:45
Rotten:4
Average Rating:8.1/10
Consensus: Buoyed by Robert Wise's dazzling direction, Leonard Bernstein's score, and Stephen Sondheim's lyrics, West Side Story remains perhaps the most iconic of all the Shakespeare adaptations to visit the big screen.
Theatrical Release:26-08-2005
Synopsis: Considered one of the most popular musicals of all time, WEST SIDE STORY earned director Robert Wise an Oscar for Best Director as well as nine other Academy Awards, including Best Picture.... [More]
Starring: Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn
Director: Robert Wise, Jerome Robbins
Reviews for West Side Story
Leonard Bernstein's rich, eloquent and demanding score is still a powerful experience.
02/19/08
Top CriticTechnically stunning, with dazzling choreography matching an unforgettable score.
02/19/08
Top CriticHow does the film -- which won ten Oscars on its 1961 release -- stand up now? Very well indeed.
01/26/06
Top CriticIt's the groundbreaking combination of toe-tapping tunes and wailing pathos, which makes this a truly arresting musical.
08/23/05
Top CriticEach song from Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim is a belter.
01/01/00
Top CriticUnhappily, the film shares a serious flaw in the essential conception of the show; both are founded on a phony literary analogy and on some potentially vicious pseudo-sociology.
02/18/09
Top CriticNo review available.
04/06/07
Decent 1961 adaptation of the Bernstein-Robbins musical, if you can handle Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood in the leads.
02/09/07
When it's good, very good; when it's bad, a stinker.
12/13/06
Top CriticAn energetic and vibrant musical that modernizes the Romeo and Juliet story ably and with great passion.
11/15/06
One of the most effective musical movies, due to its Shakespearean inspiration, Robbins' exciting dances, Bernstein's exquisite score, Sondheim's witty lyrics; but you have to contend with schmaltzy love story and Marnie Nixon dubbing Natalie Wood
07/21/06
Unforgettable and endlessly watchable.
12/19/05
No review available.
10/25/05
No review available.
08/25/05
Memorable, brilliant, influential stage-to-screen musical.
05/28/05
[This] is a world unlike any other, a phenomenal filmmaking achievement.
02/09/05
A tough, dated sit-thru. At least much of the music still sings.
07/21/04
Sorry, West Side Story, but the years have not been kind.
05/16/04
A wonderful dancy film! Corny-but GREAT.
04/14/04
Latest News for West Side Story
June 22, 2007:
AFI Announces Top 100 Movies of All Time ... Again
Ten years ago the AFI gave us a list of the Top 100 American Films Ever Made -- and when that was done they churned out 15 other lists every few years. And then last night they... More...
August 17, 2006:
Burton & Depp Together for the 6th Time: Sweeney Todd
When Tim Burton and Johnny Depp get together, pretty wild movies tend to happen. Frankly I think all five of their previous collaborations have been darn fine films, and here's... More...
September 15, 2005:
Hollywood Giant Robert Wise Passes Away at 91
Master filmmaker and 4-time Oscar winner Robert Wise has died at the age of 91. Probably best known as the director of films like "The Sound of Music," "West Side... More...
July 06, 2005:
Legendary Screenwriter Ernest Lehman Passes Away
Veteran screenwriter / producer Ernest Lehman passed away on July 2nd after a lengthy illness. Mr. Lehman was nominated for a half-dozen Oscars over the course of his... More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
RT on YouTube 
Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.
RT on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.
IGN RSS Feeds