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Amazon.co.uk Review
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
Special Features
- "West Side Story" Memories - a retrospective documentary
- Original film intermission music
- Storyboard to film comparison
- Original release trailers
- Behind the scenes photos
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
58 of 59 people found the following review helpful
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.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"There's a place for us, a time and place for us. Hold my hand and we're halfway there."
Music: Leonard Bernstein Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
And there is a movie for us. "West Side Story" is a classic on too many levels to describe here. Everything from the music to the choreography to the actors to...
One big plus is even if the story line is a classic they did not try to duplicate Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" with modern clothing. The movie still maintains the feel and action of the play.
This movie tells the story of two people Tony and Maria (Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood) from adverse backgrounds that fall in love. They must cope with their new feelings. And to complicit things they have trouble from their families and society. Will they overcome these things or will fait and circumstance thwart their efforts and tragedy arise?
I could write a book on what makes this movie great but it is best that you watch and judge for yourself.
Music: Leonard Bernstein Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
And there is a movie for us. "West Side Story" is a classic on too many levels to describe here. Everything from the music to the choreography to the actors to...
One big plus is even if the story line is a classic they did not try to duplicate Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" with modern clothing. The movie still maintains the feel and action of the play.
This movie tells the story of two people Tony and Maria (Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood) from adverse backgrounds that fall in love. They must cope with their new feelings. And to complicit things they have trouble from their families and society. Will they overcome these things or will fait and circumstance thwart their efforts and tragedy arise?
I could write a book on what makes this movie great but it is best that you watch and judge for yourself.
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
West Side Story - the original film
This was the film I took my new fiancee to see early in 1962. Next March we'll have been married 50 years so I can say nothing bad about it now but I wanted to compare it with the... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Steve
west side story
i really wanted to see west side story so i got it from amazon and it came very quickly well packaged . i watched the musical and can i say they dont make them like they used to . Read more
Published 29 days ago by moviemanlo
John du Prey - Classical Review
En français
Romantiquement parler, le crescendo délicat d'amour inachevé domine ce classique puissant (facilement une des comédies musicales... Read more
Romantiquement parler, le crescendo délicat d'amour inachevé domine ce classique puissant (facilement une des comédies musicales... Read more
Published 1 month ago by John du Prey
Best Musical ever.
I just love this film so much and its truly time less. Its like Romeo an Juliet but set to music. The one thing i can fined wrong with it is how Nattily wood is not singing her... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Diddicky
Among the immortals
There is so much here to enjoy, you could watch it a dozen times and still find new pleasures. The music, the dancing, the acting, the sets, the words... all brilliant. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Fabbri
Educational
As a History teacher I use this film to highlight the intolerance towards immigrants in the USA. Getting the kids to sing along to America and then explain what the lines mean is... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jonah
The original gang culture film
West Side Story is not without its flaws. It could have been a little shorter and the song "Cool" could have been cut. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Miss Scarlett
west side story
This film was purchased for my daughter who is studying A level performance and she really enjoyed the film (considering it's an oldie)
Published 15 months ago by jayne
Iconic film
Almost as stunning as when I first saw it in the cinema, but you probably need the big screen to get the full effect (especially the opening credits). Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mrs. M. R. Woodcock
west side story
this was for my husband who couldnt wait to watch it.it reminded him of his younger days.i found it to be rarther long but my daughter 15 also enjoyed it.
Published 16 months ago by lynn
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