West Side Story (Special Edition DVD Collector's Set)

Buy This Item West Side Story (Special Edition DVD Collector's Set) by MGM (Video & DVD)  Available from Amazon  $21.99  on 11-15-2008     This brilliant (The New Republic) film sets the ageless story of Romeo and Juliet against a backdrop of gang warfare in 1950s New York. Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins and scripted by Ernest Lehman, the film combines Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's unforgettable score ( Maria, America, 'somewhere, 'tonight ) with Robbins own exuberant choreography to achieve an exhilarating work of art (Saturday Review). A love affair is fated for tragedy amidst the vicious rivalry of two street gangsthe Jets and the Sharks. When Jets member Tony (RichardBeymer) falls for Maria (Natalie Wood), the sister of the Sharks leader, it's more than these two warring gangs can handle. And as mounting tensions rise, a battle to the death ensues, and innocent blood is shed in a heartbreaking finale. Reader Reviews Gangs clash in New York, new immigrants versus old immigrants. Natalie Wood is miscast as an Hispanic. Natalie was a mediocre actress but managed to endear herself. Her real name was Natasha Gurdin. Her parents came from Russia. This movie is an American Romeo and Juliet. "Tonight" is its best song. We feel the anticipation. Cousin Larry and I saw it in November, 1962. President Kennedy was due in Louisville, and I suggested we stay over to catch a glimpse. He came riding down 4th Street perched atop the back of a Convertible, waving to the crowd. That kind of accessibility cost him a year later when he was assassinated in Dallas. I will always link Kennedy with West Side Story.

West Side Story (Special Edition DVD Collector's Set) Available from Amazon Price: $21.99 Updated on 11-15-2008.

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