West Side Story (1961)
88%RT Audience Score: 84%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 Oscar
67 wins & 282 nominations total
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
West Side Story is a classic that never gets old, and the critics seem to agree. From the elegant dancing of Rita Moreno to the spine-tingling tempo and eye-dazzling color, this movie has it all. Even the younger generation who are fascinated by “rumbles” will love it. And let’s not forget the performances by Oscar-winners Chakaris and Moreno, which are truly unforgettable. So, if you’re in the mood for a great musical with a tragic romance, West Side Story is the perfect choice. Just be prepared to get swept away by the sheer muchness of it all!
Production Company(ies)
Kudos Film and Television, BBC Films, Serendipity Point Films,
Distributor
United Artists
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Paterson, New Jersey, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for some strong violence, strong language, thematic content, suggestive material and brief smoking.
Year of Release
1961
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Atmos Dolby Digital Dolby Surround 7.1 IMAX 6-Track
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Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
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Runtime:2h 31m
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Language(s):English, Spanish
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 18, 1961 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2006
Genre(s)
Musical
Keyword(s)
West Side Story, musical, Romeo and Juliet, New York, street gangs, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Robert Wise, Jerome Robbins, Arthur Laurents, Ernest Lehman, Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, Simon Oakland, directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise, written by Jerome Robbins, Arthur Laurents, Ernest Lehman, produced by Robert Wise, box office performance, budget, MPAA rating, critic reviews, reviewed by Louis Cook, Marjory Adams, Stanley Kauffmann, George Bourke, Elston Brooks, Mae Tinee, Natalie Wood as Maria, Richard Beymer as Tony, Russ Tamblyn as Riff, George Chakiris as Bernardo, Rita Moreno as Anita, Simon Oakland as Lieutenant Schrank, musical numbers, Romeo and Juliet adaptation, gang violence, love story, dance, singing, choreography, cultural impact, iconic, classic, American Film Institute, Academy Awards, cultural lexicon, stage adaptation, Puerto Rican culture, American culture, racial tensions, social and economic issues, modern retelling, Shakespeare adaptation, 1960s film, United Artists, stereo sound mix, widescreen aspect ratio
Worldwide gross: $76,003,585
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $82,662,010
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,108
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 9,014,396
US/Canada gross: $38,530,322
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $41,905,837
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,145
US/Canada opening weekend: $10,574,618
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $11,501,026
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 915
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $100,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $108,760,672
Production budget ranking: 354
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $58,567,622
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$84,666,284
ROI to date (est.): -51%
ROI ranking: 1,693
Richard Beymer – Tony
Russ Tamblyn – Riff
George Chakiris – Bernardo
Rita Moreno – Anita
Simon Oakland – Lieutenant Schrank
Jerome Robbins – Director, Writer
Robert Wise – Director, Producer
Arthur Laurents – Writer
Ernest Lehman – Writer
Director(s)
Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise
Writer(s)
Jerome Robbins, Arthur Laurents, Ernest Lehman
Producer(s)
Robert Wise
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 Oscar
67 wins & 282 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (114) | Top Critics (32) | Fresh (106) | Rotten (8)
One of the lovely things about West Side Story is Rita Moreno, whose acting and dancing are elegant. Chakiris is darkly handsome and effective, and Tamblyn is great on the dancing.
December 2, 2021
Louis Cook
Detroit Free Press
TOP CRITIC
It roars with the hatreds of street battle. It twinkles with joyous motion which turns into fierce agitation as the stresses of misunderstanding speed the players into an uncontrollable maelstrom.
December 2, 2021
Marjory Adams
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
It is Robbins’ vision — of city life expressed in stylized movement that sometimes flowers into dance and song — that lifts this picture high.
December 2, 2021
Stanley Kauffmann
The New Republic
TOP CRITIC
In spine-tingling tempo, with eye-dazzling color and ear-teasing music it recites no corny backstage drama but cuts instead a meaty parallel to the Romeo and Juliet tragic romance.
December 2, 2021
George Bourke
Miami Herald
TOP CRITIC
All technicalities were met in flawless fashion and West Side Story emerges more memorable than ever.
December 2, 2021
Elston Brooks
Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com
TOP CRITIC
It’s a cleverly stylized and dramatized depiction of a bloody story which probably will appeal most to those who like lengthy musicals, and to the younger generation who are fascinated by “rumbles.” Their elders may find it depressing.
December 2, 2021
Mae Tinee
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
The film version of West Side Story often pops up on Greatest Movie of All Time lists thanks to its unique blending of realism & metaphorical dance and performances by Oscar-winners Chakaris and, in particular, Rita Moreno.
March 20, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
David Reddish
Queerty
R&J American style still packs a punch
December 29, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
James Wegg
JWR
Great example of a kind of cinema extint in Hollywood right now. [Full Review in Spanish].
December 16, 2021 | Rating: 2.5/4
Ernesto Diezmartinez
Letras Libres
It’s easy to get swept away by the sheer muchness of it.
December 13, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5
Tim Brayton
Alternate Ending
[West Side Story] is at least the best screen musical since On the Town and may not get all the praise it deserves: it is galvanic, technically thrilling, and stylised with a neurotic skill sometimes only just short of genius.
December 2, 2021
Penelope Gilliatt
Observer (UK)
The whole cast shows wonderful vitality and spirit.
December 2, 2021
Janet Graves
Photoplay…
Plot
Manhattan, Upper West Side, 1957. Against the backdrop of the decaying tenements in the San Juan Hill neighbourhood and the constant threat of the wrecking ball, two warring gangs
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Rita Moreno’s performance in West Side Story is described as “wonderfully arresting.”
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