Unhappily, the film shares a serious flaw in the essential conception of the show; both are founded on a phony literary analogy and on some potentially vicious pseudo-sociology.
Comment
02/18/09
West Side Story (1961)
92 %
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted: 50
Fresh: 46
Rotten:4
Average Rating: 8.1/10
Consensus: Buoyed by Robert Wise's dazzling direction, Leonard Bernstein's score, and Stephen Sondheim's lyrics, West Side Story remains perhaps the most iconic of all the Shakespeare adaptations to visit the big screen.
Runtime: 2 hrs 39 mins
Genre: Musical & Performing Arts
Synopsis: Considered one of the most popular musicals of all time, WEST SIDE STORY earned director Robert Wise an Oscar for Best Director as well as nine other Academy Awards, including Best Picture.... [More]
Starring: Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn
Director: Robert Wise, Jerome Robbins
Get This Movie
Reviews for West Side Story
Top CriticBernstein's music, Sondheim's lyrics and Robbins's choreography are great, but as a movie it falls short of the truly inspired cinematic musicals.
02/19/08
Leonard Bernstein's rich, eloquent and demanding score is still a powerful experience.
02/19/08
Technically stunning, with dazzling choreography matching an unforgettable score.
02/19/08
No review available.
04/06/07
Decent 1961 adaptation of the Bernstein-Robbins musical, if you can handle Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood in the leads.
02/09/07
Top CriticWhen it's good, very good; when it's bad, a stinker.
12/13/06
Top CriticAn energetic and vibrant musical that modernizes the Romeo and Juliet story ably and with great passion.
11/15/06
One of the most effective musical movies, due to its Shakespearean inspiration, Robbins' exciting dances, Bernstein's exquisite score, Sondheim's witty lyrics; but you have to contend with schmaltzy love story and Marnie Nixon dubbing Natalie Wood
07/21/06
How does the film -- which won ten Oscars on its 1961 release -- stand up now? Very well indeed.
01/26/06
Unforgettable and endlessly watchable.
12/19/05
No review available.
10/25/05
No review available.
08/25/05
It's the groundbreaking combination of toe-tapping tunes and wailing pathos, which makes this a truly arresting musical.
08/23/05
No review available.
07/19/05
Memorable, brilliant, influential stage-to-screen musical.
05/28/05
[This] is a world unlike any other, a phenomenal filmmaking achievement.
02/09/05
A tough, dated sit-thru. At least much of the music still sings.
07/21/04
Sorry, West Side Story, but the years have not been kind.
05/16/04
A wonderful dancy film! Corny-but GREAT.
04/14/04
Latest News for West Side Story
June 22, 2007:
AFI Announces Top 100 Movies of All Time ... Again
Ten years ago the AFI gave us a list of the Top 100 American Films Ever Made -- and when that was done they churned out 15 other lists every few years. And then last night they... More...
August 17, 2006:
Burton & Depp Together for the 6th Time: Sweeney Todd
When Tim Burton and Johnny Depp get together, pretty wild movies tend to happen. Frankly I think all five of their previous collaborations have been darn fine films, and here's... More...
September 15, 2005:
Hollywood Giant Robert Wise Passes Away at 91
Master filmmaker and 4-time Oscar winner Robert Wise has died at the age of 91. Probably best known as the director of films like "The Sound of Music," "West Side... More...
July 06, 2005:
Legendary Screenwriter Ernest Lehman Passes Away
Veteran screenwriter / producer Ernest Lehman passed away on July 2nd after a lengthy illness. Mr. Lehman was nominated for a half-dozen Oscars over the course of his... More...
Related Forums for West Side Story
RT On Current TV
What’s Hot On RT
Fresh Links
Featured
Point-Counterpoint: Bruno 
MSN's David Fear and Frank Paiva go head to head discussing the pros and cons of Bruno star Sacha Baron Cohen.
The New Cult Canon
The AV Club's Scott Tobias takes a second look at David Lynch's cult classic, Lost Highway.
Tom Cruise's 10 Best Roles
TIME takes us on a 25-year long journey into the superstar's career, giving us a look at his 10 best roles.
A Baywatch Comedy?
BuzzSugar reports on Paramount's plans to rebirth the iconic TV show as a comedy film.
IGN RSS Feeds