West Side Story
(1961)
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Directed by Robert Wise Jerome Robbins
Produced by Robert Wise
Screenplay by Ernest Lehman
Based on West Side Story
by Jerome
Robbins
and Arthur
Laurents
Romeo and Juliet
by William
Shakespeare
Starring
Natalie Wood
Richard Beymer
Theatrical release poster by Joe Caroff
Rita Moreno
George Chakiris
Russ Tamblyn
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Release dates
October 18, 1961
Running time
152 minutes[1]
West Side Story is a 1961 American romantic musical drama film directed by Robert Wise and Jerome
Robbins. The film is an adaptation of the 1957 Broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was
inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. It stars Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ
Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, and George Chakiris,.
The film received high praise from critics and the public.
The film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won 10, including Best Picture (as well as a special
award for Robbins, the director), becoming the record holder for the most wins for a movie musical.
Plot
In the West Side's neighborhood in Manhattan, there is tension between a white gang, the Jets,
led by Riff, and a Puerto Rican gang of immigrants, the Sharks, led by Bernardo. After a brawl
erupts ("Prologue"), Lieutenant Schrank and Officer Krupke arrive and break it up. The Jets decide
to challenge the Sharks to a rumble (= rissa ) at an upcoming dance for neighborhood control.
Riff decides that his best friend Tony, the co-founder of the Jets who left the gang, should fight
("Jet Song"). Riff invites Tony to the dance, but Tony is uninterested. He tells Riff that he senses
something important will happen, which Riff suggests could have correlation with the dance
("Something's Coming").
Bernardo's younger sister, Maria, tells her best friend and Bernardo's girlfriend, Anita, how excited
she is about the dance. At the dance, the gangs and girls refuse to intermingle ("Dance at the
Gym"). Tony arrives and he and Maria fall in love. However, Bernardo angrily demands that Tony
stay away from her. Riff proposes a meeting with Bernardo at Doc's drug store.
Maria is sent home, Anita argues that Bernardo is overprotective of Maria, and they compare the
advantages of Puerto Rico and the United States ("America").
Tony discreetly visits Maria on her fire escape, where they reaffirm their love ("Tonight"). Krupke,
who suspects the Jets are planning something, visits them and warns them not to cause trouble.
After Krupke leaves, the Jets make fun of him and the other adults that don't understand them
("Gee, Officer Krupke"). When the Sharks arrive, both groups agree to have the showdown the
following evening under the highway, with a one-on-one fist fight. When Schrank arrives, the
gangs feign friendship. Schrank orders the Sharks out and unsuccessfully tries to divulge
information about the fight.
The next day at the bridal shop, Anita accidentally tells Maria about the rumble. Tony arrives to
see Maria, which shocks Anita. They profess their love and Anita warns them about the
consequences if Bernardo learns of their relationship. Maria has Tony promise to prevent the
rumble. Tony and Maria fantasize about their wedding ceremony ("One Hand, One Heart").
The Jets and Sharks approach the area under the highway ("Quintet"). Tony arrives to stop the
fight, but Bernardo antagonizes him. Unwilling to watch Tony be humiliated, Riff initiates a knife
fight. Tony tries to intervene, which leads to Bernardo killing Riff. Tony kills Bernardo with Riff's
knife and a melee ensues. Police sirens blare and everyone flees, leaving behind the dead bodies.
Maria waits for Tony on the rooftop of her apartment building, when Chino arrives and tells her
what happened. Tony arrives and explains what transpired and asks for her forgiveness before he
turns himself in to the police. Maria confirms her love for him and asks Tony to stay with her
("Somewhere").
The Jets have reassembled outside a garage, with their new leader, Ice, having them focus on
reacting to the police ("Cool"). Anybodys arrives and warns them that Chino is now after Tony. Ice
sends the Jets to warn Tony.
Anita enters the apartment while Tony and Maria are in the bedroom. Tony and Maria arrange to
meet at Doc's, where they will pick up getaway money to elope. Anita spots Tony leaving through
the window and chides Maria for the relationship ("A Boy Like That"), but Maria convinces her to
help them elope ("I Have a Love").
Schrank arrives and questions Maria about the rumble. To cover for Tony, Maria has Anita tell him
that Maria is detained from meeting him. When Anita reaches Doc's, the Jets harass her, until Doc
intervenes. Anita declares that Bernardo was right about them and that Chino killed Maria. Doc
banishes the Jets and delivers Tony his getaway money and Anita's message. Tony runs into the
streets, shouting for Chino to kill him as well.
In the playground next to Doc's, Tony spots Maria and they run toward each other, only for Chino
to shoot Tony. The Jets and Sharks arrive to find Maria holding Tony, who dies ("Somewhere").
Maria stops the gangs from fighting and takes the gun from Chino and threatens everyone,
blaming their hate for the deaths. Schrank, Krupke, and Doc arrive and the gangs and Maria form a
funeral procession. The police arrest Chino and lead him away ("Finale").
Songs:
Tonight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_QffCZs-bg
Maria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpdB6CN7jww