Customer Ratings & Reviews

West Side Story is one of the great films of the 20th century. The attention to detail and quality garnered multiple Academy Award wins. Throughout the ages, the dominant home video format enjoyed a presentation of this classic story. The most notable release was the 40th anniversary DVD release, which included several bonus material, not just on the discs themselves, but physical bonus materials, including a scrapbook. That's always a treat. So I was disappointed when I upgraded my DVD for the Blu-ray edition with no physical bonus material to speak of. Oh well.

As much a part of American musical history as any other work, WEST SIDE STORY moved very comfortable from the 1957 Broadway stage to this 1961 cinematic version of Leonard Bernstein’s immortal masterwork for the stage. Though there are still issues of the original Broadway cast recording (Carol Lawrence, Larry Kirk, George Chakiris, et al) this DVD includes the actual film complete with a perfectly presented overture and entr’acte and the tuning performance by a cast of fine dancers an actors. Ernest Lehman transitioned the play into a movie based on Arthur Laurents’ book in turn based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and the choreography and direction is by Jerome Robbins with Robert Wise. Very briefly, West Side Story is the adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet". The feuding families become two warring New York City gangs- the white Jets led by Riff (Russ Tamblyn) and the Puerto Rican Sharks, led by Bernardo (George Chakiris). Their hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of understanding. But when Riff's best friend (and former Jet) Tony (Richard Beymer) and Bernardo's younger sister Maria (Natalie Wood) meet at a dance, no one can do anything to stop their love. Maria and Tony begin meeting in secret, planning to run away. Then the Sharks and Jets plan a rumble under the highway - whoever wins gains control of the streets. Maria sends Tony to stop it, hoping it can end the violence. It goes terribly wrong, and before the lovers know what's happened, tragedy strikes and doesn't stop until the climactic and heartbreaking ending. One important ‘character’ is the voice of Marni Nixon who provided Natalie Woods’ singing: sadly Marni, known for so many offstage vocals, died in 2016 – one of the finest singing actresses and backup voices for famous actors the ever lived. The choreography, photography, set design, lighting, dancing and acting are first class. An evergreen favorite that will always be popular.

Another fabulous film from Robert Wise, who's done horror (The Haunting) to a big budget film version of a certain tv series (Star Trek). Vibrant colors and tremendous sound highlight this Blu-Ray presentation of West Side Story!

Do not miss this film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. The singing and dancing are all first rate. Musical score, both music and lyrics, are unsurpassed.

This movie is the best natalie wood is the best ever the way she sings. You fall in love. If you love a great love story/musical this is it.

This is my favorite musical - I saw it in the early 60's when I was 9 years old and can never get enough of it. Great music!

Arrived as expected. A wanted Christmas Gift. Was available thru Best Buy site. Not in my local store.

West Side Story in 1080p! I actually still prefer 1080p over 4K, so this was the right choice for me

Has this on vhs time to update at a great price ! A long time favorite !

The image and overall audio quality on this Blu-ray disc is ALMOST as good as the 70mm screening I saw of "West Side Story" last year (2016) at the Somerville Theater in Davis Sq., Somerville, MA. My only complaint is that the DTS mix on the disc was inferior to the 6-track magnetic stereo mix I heard in the theater, where the voices follow the actors across the screen. For some insane reason, engineers make all the voices come out of the center channel instead of panning them across the sound stage, placing the dialog or singing in the appropriate area where the speech/singing is originating. Other than that minor detail, the sound is dynamic, and the picture crisp with excellent blacks, natural flesh tones, and no obvious edge enhancement. Hopefully when a 4K Blu-ray UHD disc is released, the sound mix will match the 70mm magnetic sound that is actually on the theatrical prints of the film.

"West Side Story" is timeless. As the years go by it just gets better and its value increases. Watching it on Blu-ray is dazzling! The colors, movement, and sounds are gorgeous. Even though I've watched it many times before, I felt like I was seeing a newly released movie for the first time. The story does not get old or stale. "West Side Story" is ageless and the 50th Anniversary Edition does not show its age packed with extras worthy of such a great film. There is so much that I am still enjoying the extras. For me it is the best musical of all time and nothing before, during, or after comes close. Movie makers seem to be on a trend to do remakes of hit movies updating them to the present. I am glad Hollywood has the wisdom not to try that with "West Side Story". "West Side Story" is in an elite category of films made at the right time, by the right people with extreme care and dedication to make one of the best motion pictures to stand for all time. All the pieces fit perfectly together to make a masterpiece!

I enjoyed this movie a lot and I think most people will also .

Is 'West Side Story' perfect? No. But the film has certainly never looked better than it does in its current high-def incarnation, and there are plenty of jaw-dropping moments of vibrant color, razor-sharp clarity, and spectacular detail. Hues are brighter and truer than they were on the DVD, yet they maintain a winning naturalness. Yellows and purples are especially well rendered, and the tinted glass in Maria's apartment, as well as the shadows it emits during 'Somewhere,' provide lovely accents that enhance the frame without overpowering it. Fleshtones are spot-on and black levels are always solid and deep, with only an occasional instance of crush. Close-ups are gorgeous, even the ones filmed in soft focus; all exhibit marvelous detail and flaunt a hint of dimension that makes the intimate scenes even more immediate and potent.

If you love classic musicals, you will love this blu-Ray.

This movie is phenomenal and if you haven't heard of it or seen it, you MUST go out immediately and buy it! This is a modern version of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, set to a searing score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, featuring two rival gangs -- the American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks -- replacing the Capulets and the Montagues. Tony from the Jets meets and falls in love with Maria, younger sister of the leader of the Sharks. Naturally, this union does not go down well with either side. This movie is stunningly made, featuring unbelievable choreography and incredibly memorable songs. It is absolutely worthy of all 10 Academy Awards it won, including and especially Best Picture.

1961 multi-Oscar winner, WEST SIDE STORY, remains one of the greatest musicals to come to the screen. Much is now different with Stephen Spielburg's 2021 realistic update, one can now compare the old to the new. Cinema has changed much in 50 years. Despite 1961's depiction of this great musical classic under the way Hollywood films were in the 1960s, WEST SIDE STORY remains a solid musical masterpiece of filmdom.

I'm 73 and people who grew up in my generation were treated to a number of top notch movie musicals which have now become classics. West Side Story is one of these motion picture gems, and some consider it to be the most acclaimed musical of all time! It is a dynamic Romeo and Juliet-type love story told against the background of 1950's gang warfare in New York, a timeless theme that is still contemporary today as it was when the film was released in 1961 A winner of 10 Academy Awards, the Blu-ray edition electrifies every song and dance number in modern high definition. A very fitting update to a cinematic masterpiece!

Have watched West Side Story at least 300 times since I was 12 years old. Storyline still holds up, dance sequences are classic ! Still tear up at the wedding scene in the bridal shop, still bawl my eyes out at the end. George Chakiris remains my favorite character in the film. Had never seen West Side Story on sale in DVD form, so I jumped at the purchase. Price of the DVD was very reasonable for an Oscar winning film. Delivery was very fast, pleased with the purchase experience.

It had a nice case and the graphics were pretty. I am happy with the purchase.

What's not to say about West Side Story? It's absolutely flawless. I've been buying a few classic titles here & there on Blu-ray and I must say that the technicians behind these releases really know how to maintain the overall integrity of old Hollywood films transfered to today's format. The colors are very rich. The DTS HD master sound is staggering. The extra features are informative and add value to this release. I couldn't beat the price ($7.99) for a chance to own a piece of Hollywood history.