62 years, 10 Oscars and a remake: this cinematic monument is leaving Prime Video soon

We are no longer presenting West Side Story. Since the inseparable trio of Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Lorenz were created in 1957, this musical comedy has transcended time and era.

This Romeo and Juliet with an American twist takes us to the slums of New York (the famous West Side), where two gangs of young people collide, Bernardo’s Sharks and the Reef Jets. Former Jets man Tony falls in love with Maria, Bernardo and…

Originally a successful musical comedy

After several years of success on Broadway, Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise brought this brilliant and tragic love story to the movies. A true critical and popular success, West Side Story stole the Oscars in 1962, taking home no fewer than 10 Oscars:

Best Picture, Best Director, Best Music or even Best Supporting Actress for Rita Moreno in the unforgettable Anita, Her Brother’s Lover. The same statue and for the same role was won by actress Ariana DeBose 60 years later in Steven Spielberg’s remake.

Note that unlike the 2021 film, which is performed by real actors/singers (De Boze, Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zeegler…), most of the actors here are dubbed for the singing sequences. Richard Beymer is voiced by Jimmy Bryant, Natalie Wood by Marnie Nixon (who also voices Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady), and Rita Moreno by Betty Wand.

A film that is still relevant today

A true monument of cinematography, West Side Story continues to be seen and applauded for years. With an average of 4 out of 5 for over 13,000 ratings, the feature film hasn’t aged a bit (well, almost). This introspective look at the lives of Puerto Rican immigrants in the United States and systemic police racism resonates with current events. This is the reason why Steven Spielberg wanted to make a remake a few years ago, which was also praised by critics.

West Side Story hits Prime Video on May 31st.