SummaryTwo youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy.
Directed By:Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise
Written By:Ernest Lehman, Arthur Laurents, Jerome Robbins
West Side Story
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
86
User score
Generally Favorable
8.0
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
86
82% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
18% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
West Side Story has a nonpareil set of songs and dances, with ecstatic, exuberant, wonderful music by Leonard Bernstein and witty or heart-tearing lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. [Sing-a-long]
100
This really is the musical for people who dont like musicals.
User score
Generally Favorable
8.0
83% Positive
82 Ratings
82 Ratings
14% Mixed
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
3% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
Jan 21, 2026
10
The rhythmic machinery of a urban concrete jungle: A 5.0-star "sensational" surge of Shakespearean rebellion.2011 (5.0)I watched "West Side Story" (1961) in 2011, and it delivered a visceral "revelation" that remains a definitive 5.0-star pillar of "human distrust" and social irony in my archive. This experience **** the fourth wall of musical cinema by infusing the "stagnant" tragedy of Romeo and Juliet with a "raw" and high-tension exploration of American immigration conflicts that felt 100% prophetic. The narrative rhythm was far from "stagnant"; instead, it offered a "chewy" and sophisticated journey through the "pathetic" cycles of gang violence and racial exclusion, leaving me in a state of absolute "hororong" as the Jets and Sharks danced through their hatred. Seeing the "vivid" energy of "I Feel Pretty" and "Tonight" provided an emotional payoff that felt both "raw" and hauntingly "sensational," while the rhythmic power of "America" exposed the "raw" truth of the immigrant dream. Even the high-tension choreography of "Gee, Officer Krupke"—which felt like a "vivid" look down at authority—provided a rebellious spark that later remakes failed to replicate, making me realize the "vivid" foresight of the 1961 original. The 95% preservation of my memory is dominated by the rhythmic, "raw" snapping of fingers and the high-tension contrast of the colorful dresses against the "stagnant" grey alleys, creating a permanent, "sensational" scar of aesthetic brilliance on my soul. Unlike the "stagnant" 2.0-star travelogue of "Around the World in 80 Days," this masterpiece possessed a "vivid" and rebellious soul that turned a street fight into a "sensational" opera of "human distrust." It stands in my 2011 record as a powerful 5.0-star testament to the "raw" power of the classic musical—a high-tension encounter with the "vivid" rhythm of tragic love that remains one of the most intellectually "chewy" artifacts of my cinematic collection.
Apr 8, 2022
10
West Side Story from 1961 is simply unforgettable and loving with great performances and magical musical performances.
100
West Side Story is a magnificent show, a milestone in movie musicals, a box-office smash. It is so good that superlatives are superfluous. Let it be noted that the film musical, the one dramatic form that is purely American and purely Hollywood, has never been done better
100
West Side Story remains a landmark of musical history. But if the drama had been as edgy as the choreography, if the lead performances had matched Moreno's fierce concentration, if the gangs had been more dangerous and less like bad-boy Archies and Jugheads, if the ending had delivered on the pathos and tragedy of the original, there's no telling what might have resulted.
80
When it's good, very good; when it's bad, a stinker.
80
There is one especially lovely moment. At their first meeting, lovestruck Tony asks Maria if her kindness to him is just a joke. She replies: "I have not yet learned to joke that way. Now I never will." This is a real big-screen event.
40
The irony of this hyped-up, slam-bang production is that those involved apparently don't really believe that beauty and romance can be expressed in modern rhythms, because whenever their Romeo and Juliet enter the scene, the dialogue becomes painfully old-fashioned and mawkish, the dancing turns to simpering, sickly romantic ballet, and sugary old stars hover in the sky. When true love enters the film, Bernstein abandons Gershwin and begins to echo Richard Rodgers, Rudolf Friml, and Victor Herbert.
May 5, 2020
10
Through its legendary performances, lovable music, and important themes and messages. This classic Romeo and Juliet Masterpiece brings the Broadway musical to life as one of the greatest films in existence.
Feb 5, 2018
10
West Side Story is one of the best, if not THE best, film adaptations of a musical to ever grace the cinema. Bernstein's score, Sondheim's lyrics, and Jerome Robbin's choreography hold up today, and the themes of hope, hatred, love, The American Dream, downtrodden youth, and racism still exist today, almost 57 years later. If you are a fan of musicals, classic cinema, or just film in general, you absolutely cannot miss West Side Story.
May 2, 2021
9
First time that I saw West Side Story today. I must say, I really enjoyed the movie. Mostly because I was surprised to see the serious topics which it tackles, which were relevant back in the 60s, but are all, oh so, relevant even today. I enjoyed the performances for the most part, especially Rita Moreno and Richard Beymer. I did get annoyed at those bad "Puerto Rican" accents which were used by most of the Puerto Rican characters and which sounded more Italian or other European accents. I really enjoyed the musical numbers and I loved how they used dancing in the fighting scenes. The only thing which was a bit cheesy was the fact that Tony and Maria meet and fall so madly in love in a matter of one evening. Looking forward to see what Spielberg will bring with the remake of this really amazing movie.
Aug 3, 2024
8
A beautiful film and a beautiful musical. There are elements that have not aged the best but this film is one that I absolutely love and really captures the love of theater.
Production Company:
- The Mirisch Corporation
- Seven Arts Productions
Release Date:Dec 13, 1961
Duration:2 h 33 m
Rating:TV-PG
Tagline:"BEST PICTURE!" Winner of 10 Academy Awards! - 1961 (post-Oscar)
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 10 Wins & 11 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 3 Wins & 7 Nominations
Laurel Awards
• 3 Wins & 5 Nominations
