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From Amazon.co.uk
The winner of 10 Academy Awards, this 1961 musical by choreographer Jerome Robbins and director Robert Wise (The Sound of Music) remains irresistible. Based on a smash Broadway play updating Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to the 1950s era of juvenile delinquency, West Side Story stars Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer as the star-crossed lovers from different neighbourhoods--and ethnicities. The film's real selling points, however, are the highly charged and inventive song-and-dance numbers, the passionate ballads, the moody sets, colourful support from Rita Moreno, and the sheer accomplishment of Hollywood talent and technology producing a film so stirring. Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim wrote the score. --Tom Keogh
Product Description
Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer star in this Academy Award-winning musical drama adapted from the Broadway stage show. A neighbourhood in Manhattan, New York, provides the setting for a love affair between Tony (Beymer) and Maria (Wood), a young man and woman caught on opposite sides of a gang war. Maria is the sister of Bernardo (George Chakiris), leader of the Sharks, and Tony is the best friend of Riff (Russ Tamblyn), leader of the Jets. The two gangs are sworn enemies, and nothing Maria or Tony can say will dissuade them from the violence which leads to the film's heartbreaking finale. The film won ten Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Score.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
61 of 63 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. Ian A. Macfarlane
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
I remember seeing 'West Side Story' for the first time in a Glasgow cinema in the 1970s when I was about 18 and being bowled over by it. I had never seen anything like it - in particular, the energy and expressiveness of the dance sequences were a new experience for me. It mirrors the 'Romeo and Juliet' story (which I did know) cleverly and effectively - there's a Prince, a Friar Lawrence, a Nurse and so on. The music is marvellous and the central performances excellent. I'm glad that it is now known that Marni Nixon was the wonderful singer who sang for Natalie Wood (she deserves that credit), but this does not detract from the pathos of the actress's performance ; she looks and behaves exactly as Maria should. It was a ground-breaking musical when it came out and there has been nothing since quite like it, so to have it in DVD is not just good but essential.
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By "dvorak64"
Format:DVD
What can you say about a film over 40 years old that still has the ability to captivate, excite and delight? The basic premise is that of romeo and juliet, brought into the 20th century new york gang culture. The Bernstein score still sounds fresh and vibrant, with it's jazzy yet flowing rhythms and melodies and the choreography is incredibly multi-layered but easy on the eye. The dancing is particularly impressive, with russ tamblyn and george chakiris leading the way. Okay, the singing voices of natalie wood and richard beymer are over-dubbed, but this should not detract from a musical which has the best score of any musical ever (great lyrics, too), and also some of the best choreography. A visual and aural treat.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By Nigel Mc
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is for the recently released (I only got my pre-order yesterday) Blu-ray version of West Side Story. I couldn't wait to get the item out of its packaging and slotted into my Blu-ray player! I have waited years to watch this film in more or less the same video quality as I saw it on its release!
Well I would be less than honest if I didn't admit that some aspects of this film have become a bit dated. However, this is an absolute classic musical and there is so much to savour and enjoy. The music is magnificent as is the dancing and choreography.
The main purpose of this review is to pass comment on the quality of the new Blu-ray release. Is it worth the upgrade? My answer would be an emphatic `Yes'! The new release is superb. The colour palette is much improved with generally rich colours and good blacks and the picture is much sharper with better overall clarity. The sound quality is also excellent with a couple of options for the English listener. I chose the 7 track DTS default version which provided a very satisfying sound quality.
The new release comes with a modern picture in picture menu system and the useful `bookmark' feature so that you can personally mark all your favourite pieces. The film is presented in its original theatrical release complete with the intermission music. There are a whole host of extras which I have yet to view and my first impressions of this release are very favourable.
Well I would be less than honest if I didn't admit that some aspects of this film have become a bit dated. However, this is an absolute classic musical and there is so much to savour and enjoy. The music is magnificent as is the dancing and choreography.
The main purpose of this review is to pass comment on the quality of the new Blu-ray release. Is it worth the upgrade? My answer would be an emphatic `Yes'! The new release is superb. The colour palette is much improved with generally rich colours and good blacks and the picture is much sharper with better overall clarity. The sound quality is also excellent with a couple of options for the English listener. I chose the 7 track DTS default version which provided a very satisfying sound quality.
The new release comes with a modern picture in picture menu system and the useful `bookmark' feature so that you can personally mark all your favourite pieces. The film is presented in its original theatrical release complete with the intermission music. There are a whole host of extras which I have yet to view and my first impressions of this release are very favourable.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Probably the best musical drama film of all time
What can one say about this film that hasn't already been said, Nothing really! So I will just say that it is one of my particular favourites and worth adding to anyones collection... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Keith Phillips
5.0 out of 5 stars
West Side Story
This is one of those films everyone should have as it is a classic. The music and acting is just great.
Managed to get a brilliant copy on Amazon. Read more
Managed to get a brilliant copy on Amazon. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Binnexy17
5.0 out of 5 stars
WEST SIDE STORY
The greatest musical of all time, for any age, or gender. Shakespeare included one of the greatest novelists of all time, so what are you waiting for go and buy a copy now!
Published 6 days ago by T. H. Carver
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
One of the all time greats of musical films. Buy or rent it from somewhere else, until amazonUK start paying the correct tax in the UK.
Published 18 days ago by Focusline
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best musicals ever!
My Video tape and, recently, my 20 year old DVD have given up the ghost so, had to replace it. One of my all time favourite films of any genre. Buy it.
Published 19 days ago by hedders
5.0 out of 5 stars
A well-deserved 10 Oscars
Robert Wise brought the story of Romeo and Juliet bang up to date, setting it in the mean streets of New York, and adding an unforgettable jazzy score, courtesy of Leonard... Read more
Published 26 days ago by Mr. P. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
SEEN IT BEFORE AND WILL WATCH IT AGAIN!!!
Classic film. Brilliant music which sticks in your head, you will be humming it and singing it for days after.
Published 26 days ago by Louise McGillvray
5.0 out of 5 stars
Favourite musicals
We're replacing all our videos with DVDs and this is one of our favourite musicals/movies. A must have in our collection
Published 1 month ago by Heather Oliver
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blu Ray DVD West Side Story
I never tire of watching this film and to get it in Blu Ray is a bonus. It doesn't seem to matter how often I watch it I still end up tearful and weepy. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Wendy Stock
5.0 out of 5 stars
classic!
love love love this film! there will never be a musical that will beat this! recomend this for any musical lover
Published 1 month ago by steph little
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