West Side Story (1961) is considered by many fans as the most cinematic of all movie musicals. The melodramatic musical, based on the Broadway play of 1957, takes its story from the pages of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet's tragedy of feuding families and re-tells it in modern-day 1950s New York City with the conflict between rival street gangs rather than families. Starring Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, Richard Beymer, George Chakiria and Russ Tamblyn, the film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won 10 of them.

The Jets, led by Riff (Russ Tamblyn), and the Sharks, led by Bernardo (George Chakiris), are two New York Street gangs rivaling for turf. Like Shakespeare's Montagues and the Capulets the feud broadens into an ethic conflict between the American Jets, and the Puerto Rican-led Sharks. Several brawls break out - all intensified by the musical score - during the course of the film, even though police officers (one played by William Bramley) attempt to stop them, again to no avail.

Natalie Wood

Hatred abounds among the teens, but as in Romeo and Juliet's so does love. When Tony (Beymer), a member of the Jets, falls for Maria (Wood), a Puerto Rican, the Sharks don't stand idly by - and one action involves Maria's brother Bernardo killing Riff, one of the few teens who wants to leave the gang violence behind and move on with a normal life. His death is avenged when Tony kills Bernardo.

The drama from Ernest Lehman's great screenplay adaptation practically jumps from the screen throughout the film and the impending doom is always a breath away. Part of the charm and success of this movie, however must also go to the outstanding cast and the music.

Rita Moreno

Wood had already established herself as a major star in films such as Rebel Without a Cause, King's Row and Splendor in the Grass. She had a tough role to play as a Puerto Rican, and though she didn't get an Oscar nod, accomplished the transition quite well. Likewise for Moreno who was a major recording artist and stood out in such films as The King and I (Tuptim) and Singin' In The Rain. The tantalizing Anita (Moreno) is prominent in many scenes, but it's Moreno's dramatic performance when tragedy strikes that earned her an Academy Award. Both of the stars' singing was dubbed by Marni Nixon (read more about her).

Richard Beymer & Natalie Wood

Richard Beymer was credible as Tony and was coming into his own as an actor as he would later prove in films such as The Longest Day (1962). Russ Tamblyn was everything his role as gang leader of the Jet's called for - energetic, threatening, appealing - and more. His role in films such as Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), The Young Guns (1956) and Peyton Place (1957), for which he earned an Oscar nomination, would launch him into a formidable career of more than 80 films. George Chakiria was a singer and dancer who grew notice in films such as White Christmas (1954), There's No Business Like Show Business (1954) and Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956).

West Side Story owes its major credit to a magnificent and exhilarating musical score, songs and lyrics of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, the thrilling choreography of Jerome Robbins and superb direction by Robert Wise. The dance numbers - "Prologue," "America," "Cool," "Something's Comin'" - choreographed by Robbins, highlight the symbolism of the street gang theme and are still memorable today.

Voted one of AFI's best Films of All Time, West Side Story is a must see for every classical musical fan. The movie followed the stage production in proving it's popularity by winning eleven Academy Awards that include:  Best Picture, Best Director - Wise and Robbins; Best Supporting Actor (George Chakiris); Best Supporting Actress (Rita Moreno); Best Color Cinematography - Daniel L. Fapp; Best Color Art Direction/Set Decoration - Boris Leven & Victor A. Gangelin); Best Film Editing - Thomas Stanford; Best Sound - Fred Hynes & Gordon Sawyer; Best Scoring of a Musical Picture - Saul Chaplin, Johnny Green, Sid Ramin, and Irwin Kostal; and Best Color Costume Design - Irene Sharaff. Lehman was nominated for his adaptation, but didn't win. Robbins received a special statuette for "his brilliant achievements in the art of choreography on film.

Everything about the movie stands out, from the luscious look and colors, to the costumes and choreography, and having a chance to watch it on DVD is exceptional. The Collector's Edition 2-Disc set includes some impressive items such as a complete copy of Lehmas's working script, behind the scenes photos and Original Lobby Brochure Reproduction.

Special Features

Disc One

• Original Film

• Original Film Intermission Music

Disc Two

• West Side Memories - a retrospective documentary including interviews with Rita Moreno, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Robert Wise, Stephen Sondheim, archival interviews with Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins. Original voice recordings by Natalie Wood and Russ Tamblyn.

• Original intermission music

• Storyboard to Film Comparison

• Original Trailers

• Photo Gallery

Director: Robert Wise, Jerome Robbins

Writers: Buck Henry, Calder Willingham - screenplay; Charles Webb - novel.

Cast Members: Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris

Rating: Not Rated - probably best for PG-13 and over

DVD Release Date: 04/01/2003

Classic Movie Guide Rating: 4.5 our of 5 stars

Run Time: 152 minutes

Studio: MGM

Format: Color - widescreen

Photo credits: United Artists/MGM Home Entertainment