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West Side Story

  • 19611961
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 2h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
113K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
788
16
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
"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
788
16
  • 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
    • 487User 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
    West Side Story is the award-winning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy "Romeo and Juliet". The feuding families become two warring New York City gangs--the white Jets led by Riff and the Latino Sharks, led by Bernardo. Their hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of understanding. But when Riff's best friend (and former Jet) Tony and Bernardo's younger sister Maria meet at a dance, no one can do anything to stop their love. Maria and Tony begin meeting in secret, planning to run away. Then the Sharks and Jets plan a rumble under the highway--whoever wins gains control of the streets. Maria sends Tony to stop it, hoping it can end the violence. It goes terribly wrong, and before the lovers know what's happened, tragedy strikes and doesn't stop until the climactic and heartbreaking ending. —Anonymous
    • west side manhattan new york city
    • singing
    • interracial romance
    • gangster
    • rival gang
    • 151 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • "BEST PICTURE!" Winner of 10 Academy Awards! - 1961 (post-Oscar)
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Musical
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide

    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 reviews487

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Leonard Bernstein, composer of the music
    I enjoyed Natalie Wood of course, talented stunningly attractive actress. Richard Beymer too... However, of all the reviews I have read here, hardly a one makes mention of the composer of the music in the film, Leonard Bernstein's music... The melodies are beautiful and romantic beyond compare. Bernstein was a genius, a great composer and conductor of orchestras... Stephen Sondheim had penned the lyrics, but the music came from Bernstein. Well known in the world of classical music, as a conductor he had championed a number of classical musicians, and he was a powerful prominent force on the International and New York orchestral music scene. A man of supreme importance in the field of classical music interpretation. I guess we could say that in the world of "popular music" he will be best remembered for his work here in West Side Story... This music is lovingly crafted by Leonard Bernstein, the master... Comment from Malcolm in Toronto 18th October 2007
    helpful•32
    4
    • malcotoro
    • Oct 18, 2007

    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

    Yvonne Wilder, Actor Known for ‘West Side Story’ and ‘Seems Like Old Times,’ Dies at 84
    Yvonne Wilder, Actor Known for ‘West Side Story’ and ‘Seems Like Old Times,’ Dies at 84
    Dec 3Variety Film + TV
    ‘West Side Story’ Trailer: Steven Spielberg Reimagines A Classic Cinematic Musical
    ‘West Side Story’ Trailer: Steven Spielberg Reimagines A Classic Cinematic Musical
    Sep 15The Playlist

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