The 1961 film West Side Story is an American musical romantic drama directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, written by Ernest Lehman, and produced by Wise. It is an adaptation of the 1957 Broadway musical inspired by Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."
The film stars Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, and George Chakiris, and features music composed by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It was released on October 18, 1961, and received praise from critics and viewers. The film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won 10, including Best Picture, making it the record holder for the most wins for a musical.
It has been deemed "culturally significant" by the United States Library of Congress and was selected for the National Film Registry in 1997. The film's original soundtrack also won the Grammy Award for Best Soundtrack Album or Recording of Original Cast from Motion Picture or Television at the 4th Annual Grammy Awards in 1961.
The film captures the vibrant atmosphere of the late 1950s and tells the story of two youngsters from rival New York City gangs who fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy
Plot
West Side Story is a 1961 musical romantic drama film that tells the story of two youngsters from rival New York City gangs who fall in love. The plot is set in 1957 in New York City and is inspired by Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". The film follows the lives of the Jets, a group of white teenagers led by Riff, and the Sharks, a group of Puerto Rican teenagers led by Bernardo. The main plot revolves around the following key events:
- Tony, a Jet, and Maria, a Shark, meet at a dance and fall in love. Their relationship is forbidden due to the ongoing feud between their respective gangs.
- The Jets and Sharks plan a rumble, or fight, under the highway, with the aim of gaining control of the streets. Maria pleads with Tony to stop the rumble, hoping it can end the violence.
- Despite Maria's plea, the rumble takes place, leading to tragedy and the ultimate end of the story.
The film explores themes of love, identity, and the consequences of prejudice and violence. It has been praised for its powerful storytelling and memorable music, making it a classic and beloved film.
Trailer
Full cast
- Natalie Wood as Maria
- Richard Beymer as Tony
- Russ Tamblyn as Riff
- Rita Moreno as Anita
- George Chakiris as Bernardo
- Simon Oakland as Lieutenant Schrank
- John Astin as Doc
- William Bramley as Police Sergeant Krupke
- Ashley Tisdale as Maria (uncredited)
- Sean Faris as Tony (uncredited)
- Robert Pattinson as Riff (uncredited)
- Cam Gigandet as Anita (uncredited)
- Trilby Glover as Maria (uncredited)
- Brittany Snow as Anita (uncredited)
- Drake Bell as Riff (uncredited)
Additionally, some members of the crew and cast who were not credited include:
- Tommy Abbott as Assistant Choreographer (uncredited)
- Jimmy Bryant as Singing Voice: Tony (uncredited)
- Kit Culkin as Dancer (uncredited)
- Gerald Freedman as Assistant: Mr. Robbins (uncredited)
- Peter Gennaro as Co-Choreographer (uncredited)
- Maria Henley as Shark Dancer Teresita (uncredited)
- Eliot Hyman as Production Executive (uncredited)
- Howard Jeffrey as Assistant Choreographer: Mr. Robbins (uncredited)
- Elaine Joyce as Dancer (uncredited)
- George Lake as Assistant Stage Manager: Stage Production (uncredited)
Director: Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise
Writer: Jerome Robbins, Arthur Laurents, Ernest Lehman
Distributor: United Artists
Genre: Musical
Box Ofiice Gross: $44,132,334
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 18, 1961
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 20, 2015
Themes & Reception
Love and relationships: The film revolves around the forbidden love between Maria, a Shark, and Tony, a Jet, showcasing the challenges and struggles they face due to their conflicting gang allegiances.
Identity and self-expression: The characters in the film grapple with their identities and the need to express themselves. The Jets and Sharks use dance and movement to channel their restlessness, passion, and anger.
Immigration and assimilation: The film touches on the experiences of immigrants, as the Sharks are a group of Puerto Rican teenagers trying to find their place in a predominantly white neighborhood.
Racial anxiety and prejudice: The film addresses the tensions between the white Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks, reflecting the broader issues of race relations and immigration in 1961.
Abuse of power: The film highlights the dangers of police brutality and the misuse of power, as seen in the interactions between the police and the gang members.
Cultural clashes: The film explores the clashes between different cultures and the challenges of coexistence, as the Jets and Sharks represent two distinct groups with different backgrounds and values.
The film has been praised for its surpassing gracefulness, with the performances, writing, and cinematography all contributing to its enduring appeal. The themes in West Side Story continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a relevant and thought-provoking film for all generations.
Challenges Faced
The production of West Side Story faced several challenges, including casting issues and concerns about the film's portrayal of race and ethnicity. Some of the main challenges faced during production include:
Casting issues: The casting of the film has been criticized for its lack of diversity and for casting white actors in Puerto Rican roles. This has been a point of contention for many viewers and critics, who argue that the film perpetuates harmful stereotypes and reinforces racial biases.
Portrayal of race and ethnicity: The film has also been criticized for its portrayal of race and ethnicity, with some arguing that it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and reinforces racial biases. The film's portrayal of Puerto Ricans has been particularly controversial, with some arguing that it reinforces negative stereotypes about the community.
Choreography and staging: The film's choreography and staging were complex and challenging, requiring extensive rehearsals and coordination between the cast and crew. The film's iconic dance sequences were particularly challenging to film, requiring precise timing and coordination between the dancers and the camera crew.
Despite these challenges, the film was ultimately successful and has become a beloved classic. It received critical acclaim and won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor and Actress. The film's music and choreography have also been praised for their enduring appeal and influence on popular culture.
Setting
The setting of West Side Story is an essential element of the film, contributing to its realism and grounding the story in a specific time and place. The film is set in 1957 in New York City, specifically in the Upper West Side neighborhood.
The setting is significant because it reflects the experiences of the filmmakers, who were all from New York City and wrote about what they knew. The film's setting helps to make the story feel real and relevant, highlighting the ongoing issues of race, immigration, and gang violence in the city.
The film's visual style and techniques also contribute to its impact and appeal. The cinematography, led by Daniel L. Fapp, captures the energy and emotion of the musical numbers through dynamic camera movements and carefully choreographed shots.
The use of color and lighting helps to convey the mood and atmosphere of the scenes, while the set design and costumes transport the audience to the streets of 1950s New York City. The film's visual style is heavily influenced by the choreography and dance sequences, which are expertly captured on film to convey the passion and tension of the story.
Trivia
Natalie Wood's accent: The director, Robert Wise, was concerned about Natalie Wood's accent in the film. He wanted her to sound more like a New York girl. Therefore, he had her watch "West Side Prep" with the sound off to learn the local accent.
Russ Tamblyn's background: Russ Tamblyn, who played the role of Riff, was an experienced dancer. He won the first-ever "Best Dancer" award on television for the series "Your Hit Parade" in 1952.
George Chakiris's audition: George Chakiris, who played Bernardo, was discovered by Robert Wise while performing in "The Teahouse of the August Moon" on Broadway. Wise was so impressed that he cast Chakiris in the film without an audition.
Robert Wise's directing style: Robert Wise was known for his collaborative approach with his actors. He believed that an actor knew their part better than anyone else and therefore should have the final say in how they played it.
The film's box office success: "West Side Story" was a massive hit at the box office, grossing $40 million against its $2 million budget.
Awards and recognition: The film won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and was selected for the National Film Registry in 1997.
Fun Fact
A fun fact about "West Side Story" is that the film's choreographer, Jerome Robbins, was fired during production due to creative differences with the director, Robert Wise. Robbins was known for his perfectionism and demanding style, which clashed with Wise's more collaborative approach. However, Robbins was still credited as the film's co-director and received an Academy Award for his work on the film.