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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.
All Critics (67) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (63) | Rotten (4) | DVD (10)
For the superlative-minded, West Side Story is the most expensive musical film ever made. It's also one of the best. Feb 15, 2019 | Full Review…
For the superlative-minded, West Side Story is the most expensive musical film ever made. It's also one of the best.
Bob Thomas
Both Miss Wood and Miss Moreno are permitted to work up fine fervors in their acting, and they come through. Jan 23, 2018 | Full Review…
Both Miss Wood and Miss Moreno are permitted to work up fine fervors in their acting, and they come through.
Philip K. Scheuer
Natalie Wood, who was made a hit in the Kazan-Inge production of Splendor In the Grass and is the most promising young star of today, gives a fine dramatic performance. Mar 2, 2015 | Full Review…
Natalie Wood, who was made a hit in the Kazan-Inge production of Splendor In the Grass and is the most promising young star of today, gives a fine dramatic performance.
Kate Cameron
West Side Story is a beautifully-mounted, impressive, emotion-ridden and violent musical which, in its stark approach to a raging social problem and realism of unfoldment, may set a pattern for future musical presentations. Feb 20, 2013 | Full Review…
West Side Story is a beautifully-mounted, impressive, emotion-ridden and violent musical which, in its stark approach to a raging social problem and realism of unfoldment, may set a pattern for future musical presentations.
Whitney Willaims
Special mention, though, should go to Boris Leven's neo-expressionist production design and Daniel L Fapp's forceful cinematography: the crooked angles, pointed shadows and great swashes of red all heighten the mood of rabid fury. Nov 16, 2011 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Special mention, though, should go to Boris Leven's neo-expressionist production design and Daniel L Fapp's forceful cinematography: the crooked angles, pointed shadows and great swashes of red all heighten the mood of rabid fury.
David Jenkins
This adaptation of the Broadway hit has only half the vitality of the stage show. But even that half renders it a classic. Sep 16, 2011 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
This adaptation of the Broadway hit has only half the vitality of the stage show. But even that half renders it a classic.
Evening Standard Staff
Ten well-deserved Oscars -- plus a special award for Jerome Robbins's dynamic choreography -- adorned this electrifying and moving version of the magnificent Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim musical. Jan 27, 2014 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…
Ten well-deserved Oscars -- plus a special award for Jerome Robbins's dynamic choreography -- adorned this electrifying and moving version of the magnificent Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim musical.
Tony Sloman
for all of its silliness for today, is still an epic film Aug 24, 2013 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
for all of its silliness for today, is still an epic film
Kevin Carr
[VIDEO ESSAY] Indisputably the greatest musical ever made, "West Side Story" (1961) has sadly proven socially timeless regarding America's eternally troubled immigrant experience. Aug 4, 2012 | Rating: A+ | Full Review…
[VIDEO ESSAY] Indisputably the greatest musical ever made, "West Side Story" (1961) has sadly proven socially timeless regarding America's eternally troubled immigrant experience.
Cole Smithey
Even though I had to play it for my high school choir, I was never a fan of the music. Everything else - the cinematography, choreography and story are all pretty stellar. Apr 22, 2012 | Rating: B | Full Review…
Even though I had to play it for my high school choir, I was never a fan of the music. Everything else - the cinematography, choreography and story are all pretty stellar.
Michelle Alexandria
You have to admire the way every aspect of the film works toward the emotional impact. Feb 22, 2012 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…
You have to admire the way every aspect of the film works toward the emotional impact.
Hank Sartin
West Side Story remains one of the best musicals of all-time. Dec 29, 2011 | Rating: 10 | Full Review…
West Side Story remains one of the best musicals of all-time.
James Plath
Probably the best musical film I have seen!
Super Reviewer
A colorful musical version of Romeo and Juliet in the 1960s New York that should always be remembered for Bernstein's great score and its wonderful musical numbers and editing, yet it is hard to overlook the pedestrian dialogue, the corny romance and Beymer miscast as a street gang kid.
The story is Romeo and Juliet set to music. The film's highlights are the music and songs that give resonance to Shakespeare's classic tale and the wonderfully arresting performance by Natalie Wood. What I don't like about the film is the choreography. Set against the rough and tumble backdrop of New York City slums, these dancers are performing balletic and graceful moves the majesty of which belie the film's themes and social and economic realities. In and of themselves, the dances are fun and enticing, but there is a true disconnect between them and the story. Here is a thought that is as yet only a germ in my brain: I find it odd that the white characters' complaints about their environment are social and economic -- big world issues -- whereas the Latinas embrace the social and economic realities of American life. They feel honored to be here despite the racial realities with which they are faced. It is as though the film, in a strain of racism, won't permit its minority characters any reasonable revolt. As I said, I think I need to develop this thought more, but I'm still convinced there's something fishy about this film vis a vis race relations. Overall, it's fun and good, but it's certainly not perfect.
It's a little weird. It's a classic, for sure, but the ballet-dancing, overacting, near-gangbangers are just a bit absurd. Vivid and frenetic choreography and music (with a few oversyncopated atonal hot messes like "Something's Coming" and "A Boy Like That/I Have a Love"), but the Puerto Rican accents sometimes slip, and the "brownface" make-up is disturbingly noticeable, especially in Rita Moreno's case. She, George Chakiris, and even Jose De Vega as Chino are fantastic, but I'm disappointed that the leads, Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood, had to be dubbed by what seemed like professional but deliberately handicapped singers.
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