West Side Story first hit the Broadway stage before being turned into a movie that is now considered iconic. In 1961 it won ten Academy Awards, including the Oscar for Best Picture. The story is just as relevant today as it was fifty years ago.
The Story of West Side Story
The theme of West Side Story is based on the Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet about two lovers kept apart by their different backgrounds and warring families. In this modernized Romeo and Juliet, it is Tony (Richard Beymer) and Maria (Natalie Wood) who come from different backgrounds. Tony is a white American and Maria is a Puerto Rican immigrant.
What sets West Side Story apart from other shows is the actual make up of the story. The theme is important, yet the combination of music, dance and singing are what catapulted this movie into the stratosphere.
The high-def Blu-ray edition makes the scenes and color clearer than ever. It’s almost like being inside the story as everything is sharp and the colors pop.
Bonus Features
This 50th Anniversary 3-disc Edition contains some remarkable insights into the making of the movie. Interviews with those who were part of the film (actors and filmmakers) as well those who were in the stage versions, bring depth to the history of this remarkable story of success.
Mikhail Baryshnikov explains that he thinks the movie is “true Americana.” Debbie Allen says, “It put gang violence on stage – front and center.” She commented that it brought “realism” to the story of America.
Leonard Bernstein composed the music for the film. His daughter explains that the movie was unique because it combined music and dance “to tell a story.” In fact, dancers had to learn how to act and actors had to learn how to dance to get a part in the film. Literally thousands of dancers auditioned for the film.
What many people might not know is that the idea for the story was originally going to be about Jews and Catholics, but the concept was changed to Puerto Ricans and White gangs.
The bonus features show how pop culture has paid homage to the movie with scenes from The Simpsons, Glee, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and That 70s Show. And an interesting fact brought out in the additional features is that Michael Jackson was obsessed with West Side Story, and much of his music videos are based on moves from the film.
The cinematography and use of color was another aspect that set the film apart. The colors of clothing were different for the two gangs. The Jets were dressed in muted tones while the Sharks were dressed in bright colors.
Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise co-directed the movie until Robbins was let go due to his perfectionism which extended the filming days costing the studio too much money. Robbins choreographed differently for each character. He was an incredible choreographer. All you have to do is watch this movie to understand that. Rita Moreno who played Anita in the movie says about Robbins, “He brought out the best in you.”
Something viewers will learn about this project from the bonus features on the Blu-ray is that the story is about hope and love. Playwright Arthur Laurents says, “We wanted it to be good. That was more important than being successful.”
Some of the adjectives used to describe the movie and the filmmakers are “breathtaking,” “brilliant” and “genius.” That sums it all up!
Personal Recommendation
My personal recommendation for viewing this extraordinary set is, if you already know the movie well and can recite many of the lines, then watch the bonus features first to get an insight into the background. Afterward, watch the movie.
If you are not too familiar with the movie, then watch if first before the bonus features.
Either way, I highly recommend watching the bonus features – and the movie!
- West Side Story 50th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray/DVD. Dir. Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise. Perf. Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno. 20th Century Fox/MGM, 1961. Blu-ray release date: November 15, 2011. Running Time: 153 min.
