West Side Story
 | Average Customer Rating: Recommend 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… Product details and pricing info |
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283 Customer Reviews Posted
- I was never a fan of this movie...
- due to some facts: The fullscreen version in the 80s ruined its composition, the regrettably red filter they use when Tony meets Maria, the dialogue is "50s" and that it would have been GREAT to remake it in a manner more sinister, more dark manner...
Some dance-sequences survive(America), as do the four young stars....
But it they do remake it; be sure to get SINGIN` talents as well in the leads... Dubbing is a low form indeed..... - 2007-08-05, 0 of 7 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- yes
- It is great. I bought it as a gift because of the extra info and it is well worth the extra investment the info is awsome so is the many story. A winner
- 2007-08-03, 0 of 1 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Romeo & Juliet or Tony & Maria in the West Side.
- When I saw this musical at the theater more than forty years ago, I was blowed up. Such a great music, songs & dancing being shown in a film!
For years I was keeping a watchful eye for any reposition show or festival including the movie. At last VHS was invented & the third picture I bought was "West Side Story". More recently I bought the DVD version too!
When I saw it again in Cable TV I wasn't able to resist the urge to review it.
First the story: it is a recreation of Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet", situated in NYC in the late `50s. Two teen gangs are fighting to master "their place in the sun". "Jets" second American generation in a poor neighborhood & "Sharks" recently emigrate Puerto Ricans. Maria is Bernardo's sister, the boss of the "Sharks". Tony is Riff's best friend, the boss of the "Jets". A classical forbidden love. At first sight they both fall madly in love with each other, defying any prejudice & minimizing obstacles.
Tragedy is around the corner: the rumble explodes and Tony tries to stop it. Everything goes wrong and blood is shed. Tragedies are tragic and this is one of them!
Second the performances: a lovely and tender Natalie Wood give flesh & soul to Maria in a remarkable acting piece. George Chakiris as Bernardo, Richard Bymer as Tony and Rita Moreno as Anita are very good.
The choreography is outstanding: coordinate and dynamic movements electrify the audience. The songs are superb, especially "Maria", "Tonight", "America" and "Something's coming". The score is very, very nice and the "leitmotiv" persists thru more than forty years!
IMHO this is one of the best musicals of all times!
Reviewed by Max Yofre. - 2007-07-06, 0 of 1 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- West Side Story
- Adapted by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins from the long-running Broadway play, this triumphant production combines a brilliant score and jaw-dropping choreography with a heart-rending tale of doomed love. The leads work well together, with Wood particularly effective, but supporting players Russ Tamblyn (as Jet leader Riff), Chakiris and Rita Moreno (as Bernardo's sassy girlfriend Anita) virtually eclipse the stars with their intense moves and portrayals. This vibrant film is also elevated by an unsurpassed, evergreen Bernstein/Sondheim score. Winner of a staggering ten Oscars, including Best Picture.
- 2007-07-02, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- West Side Story (Full Screen Edition
- I don't have much to say about this DVD as I only purchsed it for my husband, he is very pleased with the order, he only bought this DVD as he likes Westside story and has seen it numerous times and loves it, he thinks it is the best musical that ever was made
- 2007-06-27, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
