West Side Story
Drama, Musical
MGM / UA  (1961) 152 mins NR

7.7 (24,617 votes)
"Powerful! Electrifying! Breathtaking!" -Variety

This "brilliant" (The New Republic) film sets the ageless story of Romeo and Juliet against a backdrop of gang warfare in 1950s New York. Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins and scripted by Ernest Lehman, the film combines Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's unforgettable score ("Maria," "America," "Somewhere," "Tonight") with Robbins' own exuberant choreography to achieve an exhilarating "work of art" (Saturday Review).

A love affair is fated for tragedy amidst the vicious rivalry of two street gangs - the Jets and the Sharks. When Jets member Tony (Richard Beymer) falls for Maria (Natalie Wood), the sister of the Sharks leader, it's more than these two warring gangs can handle. And as mounting tensions rise, a battle to the death ensues and innocent blood is shed in a heartbreak...

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Cast and Crew
Natalie Wood  ......  Maria
Rita Moreno  ......  Anita
Russ Tamblyn  ......  Riff
George Chakiris  ......  Bernardo
Richard Beymer  ......  Tony
Simon Oakland  ......  Lieutenant Schrank
Director  .....  Robert Wise; Jerome Robbins
Producer  .....  Saul Chaplin; Robert Wise
Writer  .....  Ernest Lehman; Jerome Robbins; Arthur Laurents
Notes
Goofs:
Continuity: Maria's necklace jumps about between shots as she leans over Tony's body. (more)

Trivia:
Russ Tamblyn had originally tried out for the role of Tony. It was down to just him and Richard Beymer, and Beymer ended up getting it. But then the casting directors called him back and asked him to read for Riff, and he got the part. (more)

Filming Locations:
10th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA (more)

Quotes:
[first lines]
[the Jets dance across the streets of New York, eventually coming to a playground where they toss around a basketball. The ball is intercepted by Bernardo, leader of the Sharks]
Riff: [snaps fingers at Bernardo] Come on.
[Bernardo drops the ball, Riff picks it up]
Riff: Beat it.
(more)

Awards:
Won 10 Oscars. Another 14 wins & 6 nominations (more)