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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
    • 490User 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 reviews490

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    One of the most electrifying musicals ever made!
    This is probably the best musical ever made. It is fantastic!!! It is loosely based on Romeo and Juliet, but it means that west Side Story had an inspiration, and it is told movingly and powerfully. Right from minute one I knew we were going to be in for a treat. The prologue was brilliantly staged, as was the rumble, which I found a bit disturbing to be honest! Quintet was thrilling also. Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood are wonderful as the two lovers, Wood is very heartfelt and Marni Nixon's singing for her is the very definition of angelic, as is Russ Tamblyn as a very energetic Riff. George Chakiris is also good as Bernado, though I would have given the Best Supporting Actor Oscar to Tamblyn, but it is Rita Moreno as fiery Anita who impressed most, easily one of the best supporting turns of any musical. The songs are fantastic, one of those musicals where every song works, some are funny; "America"(amazing choreography) and "Officer Krupkee" and some heart rending ones; "Tonight" "One Hand One Heart" and "Somewhere". The choreography was enough to have you on the edge of your seat. Everything is right about this movie, and I am shocked it isn't in the top 250, because it should be for it is one of the greatest film musicals! 10/10 without question! Bethany Cox
    helpful•51
    10
    • TheLittleSongbird
    • Feb 25, 2009

    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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