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.
West Side Story (1961)
Rated: PG
Runtime: 2 hrs 39 mins
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. Realistically portrayed characters and their surroundings and expert editing complementing... 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. Realistically portrayed characters and their surroundings and expert editing complementing innovative dance sequences mark this highly stylized modern-day Romeo and Juliet tale. The stage is set in New York's Upper West Side in the 1950s, where the area's slums are plagued by racial tensions acted on by two rival gangs: the Puerto Rican Sharks and the Caucasian Jets. In the middle of this mess is young, innocent Maria (Natalie Wood), a Puerto Rican seamstress whose brother, Bernardo (George Chakiris), is the leader of the Sharks. Despite the warnings of Anita (Rita Moreno), Bernardo's fiery girlfriend, Maria falls in love with a young, hopeful Polish boy, Tony (Richard Beymer), who used to belong to the Jets, now headed by Riff (Russ Tamblyn). When Tony, on Maria's urging, tries to stop a rumble between the gangs, tragedy ensues, marking their dedicated love affair with violence and desperation. The infectious, lyrical landmark score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim help round out one of the greatest musical experiences ever captured on film. [More]
Genre: Musical & Performing Arts
Starring: Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn, George Chakiris
Screenwriter: Ernest Lehman
Producer: Robert Wise
Composer: Leonard Bernstein, Johnny Green
DVD Info
Release:
Apr 12, 2007
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
- Mono - French, Spanish
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
- Trailers - Original Theatrical Trailer
Reviews
Leonard Bernstein's rich, eloquent and demanding score is still a powerful experience.
Technically stunning, with dazzling choreography matching an unforgettable score.
How does the film -- which won ten Oscars on its 1961 release -- stand up now? Very well indeed.
It's the groundbreaking combination of toe-tapping tunes and wailing pathos, which makes this a truly arresting musical.
Each song from Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim is a belter.
Decent 1961 adaptation of the Bernstein-Robbins musical, if you can handle Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood in the leads.
An energetic and vibrant musical that modernizes the Romeo and Juliet story ably and with great passion.
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
[This] is a world unlike any other, a phenomenal filmmaking achievement.
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