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IMDbPro

West Side Story

  • 19611961
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 2h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
113K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,509
707
"West Side Story" (Saul Bass Poster) 1961
Special ED. DVD, Post
Play trailer0:31
5 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Musical
Two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy.Two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy.Two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
113K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,509
707
  • Directors
    • Jerome Robbins
    • Robert Wise
  • Writers
    • Ernest Lehman(screenplay by)
    • Arthur Laurents(book by)
    • Jerome Robbins(play conceived by)
  • Stars
    • Natalie Wood
    • George Chakiris
    • Richard Beymer
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Jerome Robbins
    • Robert Wise
  • Writers
    • Ernest Lehman(screenplay by)
    • Arthur Laurents(book by)
    • Jerome Robbins(play conceived by)
  • Stars
    • Natalie Wood
    • George Chakiris
    • Richard Beymer
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 489User reviews
    • 155Critic reviews
    • 86Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 10 Oscars
      • 28 wins & 10 nominations total

    Videos5

    West Side Story
    Trailer 0:31
    West Side Story
    Shot for Shot | 'West Side Story'
    Clip 1:20
    Shot for Shot | 'West Side Story'
    Essential Guide to Rita Moreno
    Clip 8:44
    Essential Guide to Rita Moreno
    Hollywood's Shared History with Broadway
    Clip 6:12
    Hollywood's Shared History with Broadway
    What We Know About 'West Side Story' ... So Far
    Video 3:23
    What We Know About 'West Side Story' ... So Far

    Photos341

    Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer in West Side Story (1961)
    George Chakiris and Simon Oakland in West Side Story (1961)
    Natalie Wood and George Chakiris in West Side Story (1961)
    George Chakiris, Jay Norman, and Eddie Verso in West Side Story (1961)
    Rita Moreno in West Side Story (1961)
    West Side Story (1961)
    David Winters and Tucker Smith in West Side Story (1961)
    George Chakiris, Jay Norman, and Eddie Verso in West Side Story (1961)
    George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn in West Side Story (1961)
    George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn in West Side Story (1961)
    West Side Story (1961)
    George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn in West Side Story (1961)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Natalie Wood
    Natalie Wood
    • Mariaas Maria
    George Chakiris
    George Chakiris
    • Bernardoas Bernardo
    Richard Beymer
    Richard Beymer
    • Tonyas Tony
    Russ Tamblyn
    Russ Tamblyn
    • Riffas Riff
    Rita Moreno
    Rita Moreno
    • Anitaas Anita
    Simon Oakland
    Simon Oakland
    • Schrankas Schrank
    Ned Glass
    Ned Glass
    • Docas Doc
    William Bramley
    William Bramley
    • Krupkeas Krupke
    Tucker Smith
    Tucker Smith
    • Iceas Ice
    Tony Mordente
    Tony Mordente
    • Actionas Action
    David Winters
    David Winters
    • A-rabas A-rab
    Eliot Feld
    Eliot Feld
    • Baby Johnas Baby John
    Bert Michaels
    Bert Michaels
    • Snowboyas Snowboy
    David Bean
    • Tigeras Tiger
    Robert Banas
    Robert Banas
    • Joyboyas Joyboy
    Anthony 'Scooter' Teague
    Anthony 'Scooter' Teague
    • Big Dealas Big Deal
    • (as Scooter Teague)
    Harvey Evans
    Harvey Evans
    • Mouthpieceas Mouthpiece
    • (as Harvey Hohnecker)
    Tommy Abbott
    • Gee-Taras Gee-Tar
    • Directors
      • Jerome Robbins
      • Robert Wise
    • Writers
      • Ernest Lehman(screenplay by)
      • Arthur Laurents(book by)
      • Jerome Robbins(play conceived by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Rita Moreno Breaks Down 6 of Her Iconic Roles

    Rita Moreno Breaks Down 6 of Her Iconic Roles

    Rita Moreno breaks down 6 of her most iconic roles, discusses the struggles she's faced in Hollywood, and shares what it felt like to return to West Side Story 60 years later. She also dives into her revealing documentary Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It.
    Watch now
    Image caption not available
    8:44

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The actors in the rival gangs were instructed to play pranks on each other off the set to keep tensions high.
    • Goofs
      Near the end, when Maria yells "Don't you touch him!", two different voices can be heard at the same time in the first half of the phrase (in fact, this is singer Marni Nixon overdubbing for Natalie Wood).
    • Quotes

      Maria: All of you! You all killed him! And my brother, and Riff. Not with bullets, or guns, with hate. Well now I can kill, too, because now I have hate!

    • Crazy credits
      There are no opening credits; a stylized, tinted aerial still of Manhattan is shown as the overture plays. The background changes color as the themes change throughout the overture. As the overture ends, the tinting is blue, the title appears, and the shot segues to aerial photography of Manhattan streets and landmarks.
    • Alternate versions
      The 1984, 88 VHS releases in addition to the 1991 reissue had the 1982 United Artists logo plaster.
    • Connections
      Alternate-language version of West Side Story (2021)
    • Soundtracks
      Overture
      (1957) (uncredited)

      Composed by Leonard Bernstein

    User reviews489

    Review
    Top review
    A triumph of song, dance, music, choreography, photography...
    Viewing WEST SIDE STORY last night on TCM for the first time in years, I realized what an impact this made on film musicals with its innovative use of dazzling choreography and high-flying camera-work that made it a cinematic experience rather than a stage-bound one.

    Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins directed this poignant and powerful musical with a talented cast of performers--Natalie Wood at her dewy-eyed loveliest as the Juliet-like heroine and Richard Beymer doing his best to bring some heart-felt passion to the role of the Romeo-like Tony, but he's too refined to be believable as an ex-gang member. At least he does have some chemistry with Natalie and obviously put his heart and soul into his performing. The voice dubbing for both is done skillfully, but I would have preferred a stronger voice for Beymer.

    Rita Moreno (not Chita Rivera as another commentator named her) and George Chakiris are beyond reproach as Anita and Bernardo--and all of the gang members do superb footwork and acting as the Jets/Sharks. Most impressive is the actor playing Ice (Tucker Smith) who figures prominently in the finger-snapping "Cool" number.

    This is the quintessential 1960s musical with some expert choreography (the rooftop version of "America" is a standout) and stellar work from everyone in the cast. Leonard Bernstein must have been proud of this film version of his Broadway musical. Robert Wise's firm control in blending the music with the "book" is craftsmanship at its finest.

    By all means, a musical that deserved all of its Oscars!!
    helpful•25
    6
    • Doylenf
    • Jan 11, 2004

    FAQ7

    • Were the songs in West Side Story eligible for an Oscar nomination? It seems odd that it was nominated for Best Picture but as a musical it received no Best Song nominations.
    • What is 'West Side Story' about?
    • Is this movie based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 23, 1961 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Câu Chuyện Phía Tây
    • Filming locations
      • 110th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • The Mirisch Corporation
      • Seven Arts Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $44,055,492
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $207,145
      • Jun 24, 2018
    • Gross worldwide
      • $44,132,334
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.20 : 1

    Related news

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