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West Side Story (Full Screen Edition) | Year: 1961 Classification: Musical Directed: - Jerome Robbins - Robert Wise Actors/Actresses: - Natalie Wood - George Chakiris powerful,realistic , the finest musical drama I have seen This ia a very intense, fast moving story in which many of the scenes easily could have happened in real life in New York at that time. The quality of the music and lyrics blends beautifully with the action, and the choreographed dances are breathtaking.The actors fit their parts to such perfection that I could not imagine anyone else than Natalie Wood playing Maria, or George Chakiris as Bernardo, and on and on for the rest of the Jets and Sharks. My favorite musicals are those from 1950-1970 and of all the great ones like Oklahoma, South Pacific, and the Sound of Music, West Side Story impresses me as the most exciting dramatic musical of all time. It is hard to find a boring moment in this movie. When I think about this movie, the ballet numbers, choreography, and excitement stand out the most in my mind. For a fast moving drama this is a classic against which to compare other musical drama. Who would have thought that a mere conflict between two gangs could have been portrayed into such a dynamic movie. The producers certainly succeeded in bringing up to date the Romeo and Juliet saga. The romance and tragedy of Tony and Maria will always be indelibly impressed in my mind. Wonderful songs and choreography, classic love story "West Side Story" is the brilliant adaption of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" set in 1960s New York City, sans gangs, fights, and tremendous rivalry. The story itself is great and the acting superb, but what really makes this movie worthwhile are the snappy songs and phenomenally choreographed dance numbers. No one could resist tapping their feet along to the upbeat, exciting "Mambo," the hilarious and catchy "America," or the terrifically entertaining "Cool" (and who could forget "Gee, Officer Krupke"?). The only thing that gets a bit tedious are the love songs--I get a little tired of seeing Tony (Richard Beymer) and Maria (Natalie Wood) confess their undying love with sappy songs (though "Tonight" is a gem). The performances are absolutely outstanding--Richard Beymer's Tony was great, Natalie Wood's Maria was extraordinary, particularly near the end, and George Chakiris's Bernardo was cool, calm, and collected (but also despicable at times). The real standout, however, was Rita Moreno's Anita, energetic and jazzy throughout the whole film. See this movie--if not for the acting or storyline, then for the songs and dances. The best musical I have ever seen, no questions asked. Now...MAMBO! ;) Magnificent adaptation of Romeo & Juliet! Robert Wise made his masterpiece with this film mixing the essential spirit of the shakesperian mood , recreating it in the modern times as a racial conflict. Wise mixed the drama with a credible plot . The coreography is towering and the music ( Oh what kind of inspiration was in the mind of Leonard Bernstein , acquire buy also the soundtrack; Maria became a classic ), Rita Moreno won a deserved Academy Award and this became a personal triumph for Natalie Wood one of the most beautiful faces ever seen in the cinema story . The sequence fights between the bunchs is perfect articulated , there is a fine balance between drama and music. Enjoyable film and of course for all a generation of teenagers in that age , who actaully are grandparents , still remember with nosthalgie that unforgettable jewel picture . Magnificent adaptation of Romeo and Juliet! Robert Wise made his masterpiece with this film mixing the essential spirit of the shakesperian mood , recreating it in the modern times as a racial conflict. Wise mixed the drama with a credible plot . The coreography is towering and the music ( Oh what kind of inspiration was in the mind of Leonard Bernstein , acquire buy also the soundtrack; Maria became a classic ), Rita Moreno won a deserved Academy Award and this became a personal triumph for Natalie Wood one of the most beautiful faces ever seen in the cinema story . The sequence fights between the bunchs is perfect articulated , there is a fine balance between drama and music. Enjoyable film and of course for all a generation of teenagers in that age , who actaully are grandparents , still remember with nosthalgie that unforgettable jewel picture . Buy West Side Story at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on West Side Story Search with the Priority Search Engine on West Side Story This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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