The Making of 'West Side Story' (1985) (TV) Leonard Bernstein Conducts West Side Story (original title)

Director:

Christopher Swann

Release Date:

May 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary | Music

Plot:

A documentary which shows, in great detail, the making of the 1985 Bernstein-conducted recording of the entire score of "West Side Story", featuring operatic stars. |

Plot Keywords:

Recording | Making Of | Behind The Scenes | New York City | Recording Studio

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Leonard Bernstein	...	Himself - Conductor
Kiri Te Kanawa	...	Maria
José Carreras	...	Tony
Tatiana Troyanos	...	Anita
Kurt Ollmann	...	Riff
Nina Bernstein	...	Maria (in dialogues)
Louise Edeiken	...	Rosalia
Angelina Réaux	...	Francisca
Stella Zambalis	...	Consuelo
Alexander Bernstein	...	Tony (in dialogues)
Stephen Bogardus	...	Baby John
Richard Harrell	...	Bernardo
Todd Lester	...	Snowboy
David Livingston	...	Action
Marty Nelson	...	Diesel
Peter Thom	...	Arab
Adrienne Albert	...	Chorus
June McGruder	...	Chorus
Juliana Gondek	...	Chorus
Carmem Cornier	...	Chorus
John Kuether	...	Chorus
Darryl Tookes	...	Chorus
Charles McGruder	...	Chorus
Tony Wells	...	Chorus

Directed by
Christopher Swann

Produced by
Humphrey Burton	....	producer
Thomas Skinner	....	producer

Music Department
Leonard Bernstein	....	orchestrator
Irwin Kostal	....	orchestrator
Sid Ramin	....	orchestrator

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (in association with)
• UNITEL (as UNITEL/Munich Video Music Prod. Inc.)

Distributors

• Deutsche Grammophon (1989) (laserdisc)
• Deutsche Grammophon (2002) (DVD)
• PolyGram Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (original TV airing)

Other Companies

• Deutsche Grammophon  special thanks

Also Known As:

"Leonard Bernstein Conducts West Side Story" - UK (original title)

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

UK | West Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Soundtrack:

West Side Story

A fascinating insight into the workings of a genius and the interactions of excellent artists

I borrowed this video from a friend and now I'm going to buy it if I can find it. It is excellent in so many ways.

First off, watching a master like Bernstein makes everyone else in the craft pale by comparison. I'm not an opera buff, and I'm no expert on conductors, but watching Bernstein was always a treat for me. He's a perfectionist. That I can see, but his over-flowing passion is contagious and kept me riveted.

But this documentary/passion play isn't only interesting because of that. To hear Bernstein's commentary on the movie "West Side Story" and how he came to write the score for that just thrills your soul. Aside from that, hearing the other singers comments on Bernstein, especially Kiri Te Kanawa who's obviously enthralled to be there, is just wonderful. The chemistry between these two is tangible and then there's the reverse. Bernstein lays into poor Jose Carreras so hard that Carreras starts chewing his nails. After they've been at it for several days, you can see that the recording session isn't going to Bernstein's liking and it's obvious that he's worn out. I felt like I was given a special behind-the-scenes viewing. It was great.

As I speak Spanish, I just happened to read a Spanish review about how "Carreras handled himself like a gentlemen." Baloney! He let go some curses that would curl your hair if it was translated into English.

It all makes for a very insightful voyeur's haven of documented human emotions, passions and play.

If you like music, human interaction and entertainment, you'll love this docu. I can't recommend it more highly and Tush-tush! to anyone who tells you differently. If you're a Bernstein fan, run out and buy this film!