West Side Story - Special Edition (2 Discs)

West Side Story is a fantastic musical film mixing American gang crime with a storyline that Shakespeare himself would be proud of. Set in Manhattan, opposing gangs - the 'Sharks' and the 'Jets', are constantly battling over the ground they both want, while Tony, an ex-gang member, falls in love with Maria, sister of the opposing gang's leader. Doesn't this dangerous love sound familiar? But when the gangs war for the last two times, who evades the blade and who is left for dead?

I've been studying this for A2 Media and after seeing it a few times I can vouch for its fantastic storyline, brilliant cinematography and amazing characters. Plus, let us not forget that this is a musical. The dance sequences are fabulous to watch and the songs are as memorable as ever.

A real must for any musical fans as this was the pivotal point in the world of musical, developing the genre from the lightness of the early films to the darker plots of 1961.

Definitely worth 5 stars.

The music is unforgettable and timeless, though the story is as sad as the original Shakespeare.

Great music, great sets, great acting. This is one of those movies you watch and get so absorbed in it that you don't want it to end and when it does you can't help but watch it again. Breathtaking

One of the most progressive musicals to ever come out of Hollywood, a robust and vigorous adaptation of the Romeo and Juliet story transposed to the streets of New York City. While the two leads may be a little wan and insipid, everything else about the film pulses with energy, particularly Jerome Robbins' electrifying dance sequences (he won a well-deserved Honorary Oscar for his ground-breaking work). Thomas Stanford's kinetic editing and Saul Bass's title sequences are also noteworthy. And then of course there's the sublime score including such standards as "Tonight", "Maria", "Something's Coming", "Gee Officer Krupke", "America" and "I Feel Pretty".