West Side Story 1961 Vs 2021 Remake đđœ Cast Then and Now
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 5. 06. 2024
- West Side Story 1961 Vs 2020 Remake đđœCast Then and Now
Maria - Natalie Wood - Rachel Zegler
Tony - Richard Beymer - Ansel Elgort
Anita - Rita Moreno - Ariana DeBose
Bernardo - George Chakiris - David Alvarez
Chino - Jose De Vega - Josh Andrés Rivera
Doc - Ned Glass - Rita Moreno
Riff - Russ Tamblyn - Mike Faist
Ice - Tucker Smith - Kyle Coffman
Read More About the Cast
doyouremember.com/116881/west...
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#WestSideStory #WestSideStoryCast #WestSideStory2020 - ZĂĄbava
Do you think the New Movie will be any good? đ€
I don't think it will be bad, but it will be hard to be better than the original.
The Originals are ALWAYS the BEST.
Allison Hartman that depends the Maltese Falcon And the Wizard of Oz (yes this was a remake) are better than their original versions
I think it definitely will be good! I have faith in Spielberg and his fabulous cast )
I think it'll be different from the classic one, more grittier and more realistic
no
My favorite character was Anita. The girl taking that role will have to be excellent to make us not miss Rita Moreno.
We agree those are big shoes to fill!
Also well played by Debbie Allen on Broadway.
Rebecca Brock DeBose is a great dancer and has an amazing voice she is a Tony nominee I donât think she will disappoint at all!
Rita Morenoâs actually going to appear in the movie
Rebecca Brock Ariana DeBose
is amazing look her up watch her dance and listen to her cover of if I were a boy
My only hope for this movie is they will bring back the vintage style of doing choreography. Where actors come in and dance with the long camera shots. Modern ways of filming movie musicals kind of make the dancing seem less fantastical due to the way they film it now
I'm sure they won't. Sadly.
Yep, nowadays dance scenes are too heavily edited.
The camera dances now instead of the people.
@@donniemoder1466 Very well put.
I'm sorry to say but there will never be another Rita Moreno.
You don't have to be sorry, you are 100% right, nobody can compare to the legend of Rita Moreno.
@@Emmareads15 Even Ariana Debose Will Did A Pretty Good Job As Anita , Rita Moreno's Anita Is Still The Best .
Did you know that Rita Moreno is in the remake? She doesnât play Anita, but she plays a female version of Doc in this one. I sent her a message that she should try to contact the Guinness Book of World Records for greatest amount of time between appearing in an original movie and its sequel (59 years).
@@aatb7 I love her! lol
These only one Rita Moreno.đ they could never.
Am I the only one that doesnât know how to feel about Ansel Elgort playing Tony?đł
Genevieve Simon you are not alone!!
Although knowing the play well, he is actually ideal for the part of 'Polish' Tony. Much moreso than Beymer in the original film, who was also terribly bland.
yup especially after the sexual assault allegations, makes me not wanna see this movie cause of him.
eric russell
I do agree with that, although I do love Beymer. I do think the character should be given a bit more personality and character, but Beymerâs version just makes me smile the whole time. I donât know. I just think that his eyes and smile are the things that make his performance because they are full of life, longing, and love, which definitely embody the character.
Gabby Velasquez
Yes! Heâs always given me bad vibes, and now I know why.
I don't know if the original can be topped. But when I was 12 there was no one like George Chikaris in those tight chinos and never will be. America is my all time favorite musical dance number. So happy Rita Moreno will be in the new movie. Great tribute to the 1961 original.
I remember being stunned by that movie when it came out. Of course I was looking mostly at all the pretty girls twirling their pretty dresses! ;-) I'm sure there will be plenty of that in the new version.
Thatâs the problem with remakes of classic moviesâŠ.you already know it wonât be on the level of the original..ou can only hope they come closeâŠ.us I also are easier because we love the songs from the original
Chakiris
What made West Side Story so memorable is also the incomparable dance directions and choreography of Jerome Robbins. Without his energy I doubt the new movie would reach a comparable level of perfection.
Fantastic point!!!
I absolutely agree with you. West Side Story was all about the dancing, impeccably choreographed by Robbins. Without Robbins, I'm not sure what we'll get. But, this does seem to be a passion project for Spielberg. so I'll keep an open mind and see what we get.
Without the 1961 cast, director, choreographers and singers,it's going to fall short, just not great like the original.
Don't underestimate Justin Peck. He was a wunderkind choreographer for good reason...
@@cicihouston6965 Justin Peck's likely a talented choreographer, this middleage GenX Philadelphian fuddy duddy , just comparing the 1961 version, which I think onlyy flaw that it didn't go into depth with thw characters, was other than that superb, feel that Speilberg's approach was wrong in wanting tyo make sure all the Sharks had somme Hispanic dna, no Hispanics arn't at all monolithic, not in accents ,culture or dna. nothing not even her horrible accent said 'Puerto Rican girll from the hood or the island' about Rachel Steglar ? She looked to me like a Colombian girl trying to play a Puerto Rican girl, awaful, if they wantred a Hispanic they should of gone with American Ferrera , Jessica Alba or Eva Longoria, all of partial Mexican anscestry but all especially Ferrera can act and along with my 64yr old Rican sisterinlaw or would of made a better Maria, speilberg and his wife had a border racist, ignorant moment by picking a girl, any girl as long as they're sortof Hispanic as though Hispanics can be lumped together, sorry this girl can sing, but lacks acting skills and she's no Puerto Rican, Natalie Wood by far nailed the Puerto Rican essense, much more . just as bad if not worse was her maler lead Ansel ? who played Tony, awful and he had no chemistry with the girl. So again doiwn the line the fall way short weven the actor that played Bernardo, that's a Puerto Rican street tough or boxer ? Everything from his accent to his attitude was wrong, George Chakiris wasn't Puerto Rican but he looked it , lots of Puerto Ricans look like that and most have some Greek anscestry like Chakiris, who was a far superior performer than these kids . Finally again the guy that played Riff was pretty good, but more like Sqiggy from Laverne and Shirley than tough Riff.
The guy that played "Ice" in the Original was so beautiful. His eyes and nice hair. He has a striking face.
I'm sad that the actor who played Ice died đ
I was following Rachel Zegler on social media and was a huge fan well before she landed the role, and you can imagine my excitement when I found out that an unknown theater student from New Jersey who I knew had landed a leading role in a Spielberg movie! I am so ridiculously excited to see her performance!
I couldnât help but notice that Rachel Zegler bears a passing resemblance to Natalie Wood.
Me too!!!! Iâm so excited for her!! I saw part of this being filmed and sheâs amazing đđ
Get a grip, children. Icons and exclamation points don't mean a thing, other than within your sophomoric minds....
Me too! I was a huge fan of hers!!!! Her voice was just gorgeous! Iâm glad sheâs playing Maria!
@@yogadr6 I'm not a child I'm a 35-year-old woman who is extremely proud of this young talented girl from my town. She beat out thousands and thousands of women for this part. I will !!!!!!!â€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïž All I want. Have a good day. âđŒ
Please don't turn West Side Story into another "Cats" 2019.
Agreed
Also, please don't turn it into "The Last Jedi".
Joe River Actually I am not a millennial, and I love Andrew Lloyd Webberâs CATS (the stage musical). I just didnât like many things (not all of them) Hollywood did with the 2019 movie version where they undercut the quality of some of the songs by having actors SPEAK what were originally meant to be sung, and did all the goofy CGI.
I donât like seeing good musicals being ruined when made into a movie adaptation, that was all I meant to say. If they decide to adapt a musical into a movie, good, MAKE A GOOD ONE. Thatâs all I ask of them.
No creativity. Sick of lame remakes.
Arthur Bhutic wtf
I saw Mike Faist and almost fainted
Katherine Howard I FREAKED OUT!
BEN COOK
It's a newsie overload! Mike, Ben, AND Kyle!
Who else is here for Mike Faist or Ben cook â€ïž
I have no idea who that is
I want Ben to play riff cause he was playing it in the broadway show, but Mike is insane as well!!! Theyâre both so talentedddd!!! Ughhh
Iâm here for Myles and Ben
FANSIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
George Chakiris was so dreamy.
My favorite character was Anita. Rita Moreno was spectacular in that role. Unforgettable!
So proud of Mike Faist. Canât wait to see him in this. Same with Rachel. đ€§đ
Saw West Side Story at age 9 in 1962. It was so engaging I couldnât get it out of my mind. Riff was my favorite. For weeks after, I kept wishing Riff had survived the rumble! Russ Tamblyn was that good! He was so cool, confident and gave a powerful performance. Watched it as the stage play at Palace Theater, NYC, and watched the movie again and again.
Reading your post Tom.....made me I remembered going to West Side Story at 5 years old age with my Mom. Since then, Iâve watched it a million times and love it over and over!
@@barbarabonnette2705
What a tremendous movie! Iâm looking forward to the new movie! Rita Moreno is in it, too! Thank you for your reply, Barbara!
Youâre right. Russ was the best dancer in the original movie cast.
I had such a huge crush on George Chakiris. LOVED watching him dance. And Russ Tamblyn-he was so athletic in WSS. I hope the choreography keeps some of his moves.
The Two Best!
You can't expect this to be as good as the original, it doesn't mean it won't be good, you just can't improve on something that well done. One of the best musicals of all time.
Maybe. I find it hard to watch old movies. Production quality has improved significantly. Format has changed. Immersion saturation matters.
I prefer the new one, because while the Broadway show of course was lovely and so was the movie, I canât get past the racist depictions of Puerto Ricans and the fact that white actors painted their skin darker and spoke with stereotypical accents in the 1961 film. I think that the movie can only get better from that, and I love the remake because it keeps the heart of the show intact but also adds a more detailed and niche perspective to the show.
@@danimiller9932 Don`t worry,I`m sure the new version will be totally PC .
It's like trying to remake The Wizard of Oz
They can remake what ever they want but nobody I said nobody can replace Natalie wood the most beautiful may she RIP
I agree. I hope they do it justice.
The women who couldnât even sing? Anyone who can sing would be an upgrade.
Especially when the singing voice sounds like hundreds of others out there... đ
An actual latina would be a better option...
@@fiorellam4397 theyre racists who only wanna see white women in the media. notice how they get so pressed when the casting is actually accurate to the story
"Okay, Jets... Smartphones in your pockets! We gonna fight now!"
đ
The new movie will, Iâm sure, be stellar.
Though itâll be hard to top George Chakiris, Rita Moreno and Russ Tamblyn et al.
Hey, Russ Tamblyn was in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - a long time before WSS. Awesome musical talent.
Yes, and his role in Tom Thumb was also before WSS - he didnât get it âbecause ofâ WSS, as this video says. As soon as I heard that incorrect statement, I stopped trusting the info in the video.
He played the youngest brother--- and the reason there were only seven, apparently...
He was great!
Mikeâs performance is truly remarkable in the new version
Iâm surprised they didnât mention Maddie Ziegler playing Velma. Velma is a smaller role (one of the Jet girls) but Maddie is pretty talented. Sheâs one of the girls from Dance Moms and went on to star in Siaâs videos.
I know right!!! Nobody EVER mentions the Shark Ladies! They're amazing and tough. In the movie, I love those characters!
I love Graziella. She has the best line in the whole show,
âI and Velma ainât dumb.â I love how she says it.
not 'went on to star' she was still on Dance Moms when she was collaborating with Sia. I think Maddie has really explored a lot more genre's and challenged herself since parting ways with Abby Lee Miller and Dance Moms...she was being stifled
Maddie is a versatile dancer and West Side Story is notorious for its sensational choreography so it will be very exciting to see
That's interesting was she good in the role as Velma, I didn't see the whole West Side remake, but from what I see it pales in it's entirety cast, crew director, to the 1961 version
The remake is scheduled for release on December 10, 2021. Rita Moreno will celebrate her 90th birthday on December 11, 2021. Thatâs an awesome way to celebrate her birthday.
They better not mess this up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They will I do not think this movie should be touch this is my favorite movie .
WHY do they keep redoing Great movie. The remake usually arenât very good and most totally SUCK! !
@@terrierowlett2272 They're NOT remaking the 1961 film- they're doing their own adaptation of the STAGE production.
Hope they donât destroy the music . Bernstein was the master
Yes he was, but listening to the music that's used in the new trailer...those strings gave me goosebumps. Fingers crossed they maintain that.
I really hope this lives up to the original because I LOVE the original West Side Story and I just rewatched it for the millionth time.
It wonât
More so, it should live up to the original Broadway production as that is what it is based on rather than the 1961 film.
I loved loved loved west side story with Natalie wood. Iâm going to be a tough cookie with the remake because the original was a timeless classic.
My favorites are riff because I'm a fan of Mike faist and baby john because i played him in. My school play
Richard Beymer...so dreamy. He was also great in some scenes from the WW2 movie THE LONGEST DAY, especially with Richard Burton.
Totally agree but Natalie Wood hated him and made his life a living hell during filming which is why he doesn't participate in cast reunions. WSS is a bad memory for him. Apparently, she wanted Warren Beaty or Steve McQueen for Tony. To put up with all that garbage for months shows you what a great actor Dick Beymer really is.
I personally loved Richard Beymerâs performance. The bedroom scene I still find very sensual. The ending still is very sad, and thatâs because of HIS performance, along with Natalie Wood and the music.
Yuck. I thought he was the weakest link in West Side Story. Zero charisma. Zero sex appeal. (I thought he was great in Twin Peaks, though.) Now George Chakiris, on the other hand...
Iâm still not ready for the new cast and the remake ofWest Side Story.
Iâd grow up watching this movie since I was a little boy. Thisâs one of my favorite musical ever.
This classical movie... I canât visualize o imagine Gone With The Wind without VivĂan Leigh as Scarlet OâHara, Clark Gable as Rett Buttler or Hattie Mc Daniels as Mammi. Itâs so hard fo me to see a remake from a classical movie ...
I remember. Memorized every lyric back in '61. But THIS one was brilliant, mesmerizing, magnificent, some presentational singing--gone and motivated. Maria and Tony sang their OWN songs. What brilliant direction by so many. Seeing it again for sure!!
I LOVE Maria. She's so wonderful. She's shy and pushed around by everyone then at the end she takes over and tells everyone that they are basically, um, JERKS! Just like Dorothy in Wizard of Oz. Dorothy is in charge! Not the Wizard. She kept these 3 goof balls together and was able to put up with the witch and not need therapy ( until Return to Oz...ugh)
The cast in 1961 was very attractive.
I was a little disappointed when I saw the remake cast.
The performers at that time thought it was very unique and they didn't need to be remade.
@Dorset Deb wow yikes surely talent should trump looks but this is irrelevant since the entire cast is beautiful anyway. I donât think the fact that the entire cast was attractive in the original is what made it iconic so your point is kinda strange :/
@Trinity Gilreath the actor who played Tony wasn't Polish in neither the original nor the remake version, so I don't see the problem in not picking puerto-ricans to play puerto-ricans.
@@vicentereacts1304 I think sheâs referring to how white people were being put in brown face to play Puerto Ricanâs in the original which was very highly upsetting to find out since itâs a classic
@@vicentereacts1304 The Jets are of Polish DESCENT- not actually Polish. The Sharks are all first generation Americans who immigrated to America from Puerto Rico recently.
@@rebekahsegun8319 but Rachel Zegler is not a migrant from PR, she was already born in the mainland. New Jersey, to be more precise. And she is actually more Polish than Ansel (through her father). If you ask me, she should be one of the Jets, but hey, it's fiction. I don't mind people of a certain ethnicity playing different ethnicities (how many times has Meryl Streep done that, for Christ's sake), I just don't see the point on picking on Natalie Wood's (actress who played Maria in the 1961 version) casting in the first film and not on Richard Beymer's (actor who played Tony in the 1961 version).
100% the old one 1961. It was my most beautiful dream movie in my childhood.
Great work; wish you had more scenes from the new West Side, but I know they haven't been released yet. Thank you for doing this! :)
NO...don't ruin one of my favorite movies! When I was in HS we were studying Shakespeare in English lit. one of our assignments was to compare and contrast Romeo and Juliet with West Side Story. I've been hooked ever since. No one will be able to match Natalie Wood's talent and Rita Moreno's sass. Sometimes it's better to just let the original stand on its own and let it shine.
Not to rude, but if you donât want it to be ruined for you then just donât watch it.
omg!!! i am doing that exact assignment right now!!! but we have to compare Romeo & Juliet (Baz Lurmann) - Romeo & Juliet (Franco Zefferelli) - West Side Story!
Nah the remake would have real latinos and not painted brown faces plus Rita Moreno would be there too
I saw the movie on Monday night and it was spectacular! Amazing young cast, supported by a few grand Broadway veterans, like a glowing Rita Moreno. Shot up close and personal, with beautiful lighting, and yes, some scenes are not only different but better than the original. Youâll see. Thanks, Stephen Spielberg for a wonderful revival of this 60-year-old classic!
The original cast were young too, so ...?
The producers who are making this remake are out of their mind. You can not duplicate the magic from the original film
Well they just did.
@@davidreidenberg9941 No they didn't
High Noon!
West Side is one of my favorite musicals and I canât wait for the movie to come out. I have a huge attachment to the show as it was my schools spring musical this year.
I am so proud of this new version of the movie!!.Congratulations all, especially to my handsome and talented Nephew David, who I know 100% will bring (brough already ) amazing and powerful energies to this new atmosphereâ€!!.
I know that Rachel Zegler will be incredible as Maria! Very much looking forward to the movie!
But I So hyped because Ariana Will Play Anita (Personally The Best Character In West Side Story).
Uki Not sure who she is yet, but Iâm sure sheâll be great
I thoroughly loved this video. Thank you for posting it!
Bernardo was a savage, I seriously doubt anyone can nail this roll like he did!
one thing for sure, the 2021 cast dont have to apply paint to their face to make them darker
Lol! I'm Hispanic and pass for white even though I have dark eyes and hair. I love when jaws drop when I speak Spanish to Hispanics who think I didn't understand what they were saying. It works that way too with whites who think i don't speak English. Nobody is being mean, they just don't know that they are confused about me. I'm bilingual, but I'm not going to wear a badge saying I'm bilingual. Lol
This is my favorite musical because I grew up watching it. The original is so special to me and I hope they donât ruin it.
You ever seen it on stage?
great job! looking forward to seeing the remake
I'm pretty optimistic about this remake. The cast looks really solid and as long as the production is good it should be quite an experience. No comparisons are needed cause no one can replace giants like Natalie Wood and Rita Moreno.
I agree about Rita but Natalie was not Latina and she couldnât sing and had to be dubbed. Sooo.
@@lauriebriggs9705 The important thing is that Natalie Wood had charisma and plays a totally convincing Latina. She succeeded in the role with someone else's voice
doing her singing. Maybe you're not one of them, but many people who are invested in the remake have a political and cultural agenda going on of some sort.
@@archraskal I saw the remake, and I could not see any political propaganda or political agenda in the story. And I am a Trump-supporting conservative.
@@perfectsplit5515 Many people are discussing this movie, quite often, with the agenda I;ve purposed. It's noticeable.This really doesn't have anything to do with who you vote for president.
@@archraskal thereâs always an agenda. Painting all the stars including Rita Moreno in a brown skin tone during the 1950s was an agenda.
Rita Moreno- she was on The Electric Company! With Morgan Freeman!
Believe it or not, Rita Moreno played the character Zelda in the 1952 movie "Singin' in the Rain"!! She was so young. And beautiful.
This is so exciting and I can hardly wait! I've been fortunate to actually play Maria in our HS version of West Side Story. My all time favorite cast member would have to be Rita Moreno! She will always be Anita to me. Thanks so much for the upload!
I saw WSS in 1961 at the age of 16. I will soon be 76 for the remake. I was a total fanatic throughout my youth. I stopped counting my trips to the movies to see it again at 32 times. I knew the whole script by heart. I dreamed of owning my own copy someday and then some genius invented the VCR. When DVDs came along I was nearly first in line to buy one. WSS shaped much of my youth and I still wish each time that Chino had worse aim. I cannot wait to start another bout of fanaticism in my waning years. Thanks to everyone who took part in creating the most fabulous musical ever. It is time for this remake because I have run into people who unbelievably never heard of WSS at all.
The remake will be real. Because, puerto rican characters play by Puerto Rican or latino actors. The first one where play by not latino actors. Because back in The day they dont want latino or black people in movies.
I guess Rita Moreno might be surprised that she lost her Latina card.
Yeah, the only Latino actress was Anita's actress, Rita Moreno. It's a shame that the previous cast did not represent the ethnicities, but thankfully, the new one should!!!
But the have teen beach movies but itâs kinda a remake but the movies are taking Place in the movie so itâs kinda a remake
@@fsketchartdesigns9115 Latinos who could act and dance, possibly sing (although singing could be dubbed).
Rita Moreno 'n José de Vega (who was Chino at the movie) were latino actors, and they played latino characters at the movie.
By the way... only latino actors can play latino characters????
Only straight actors can play straight characters?
Only jew actors can play jew characters or the whole movie was wrong?
*Let's film "Schildler's List" again... coz LIAM NEESON is NOT GERMAN!!!!!*
For younger movie fans who don't know 1961 made Natalie Wood a major superstar as she was also nominated for Splendor In The Grass. She was one of the top female stars of the 1960s, a notch or so behind Liz Taylor. Such a sad and unfair ending for her!
I agree. Natalie Wood was not only beautiful, but a true star
My favourite character is riff but my all time dream is to be Maria on stage someday :) xxx
You can do it!
Loved the newer version. The actors really sang in this one. Fabulous.
I don't even need to watch this to know no one will ever compare to the legendary beauty that was Natalie Wood in this role. Doing so just makes anyone trying look stupid.
My favourite character is Anita, because i love Rita Moreno & how she played her. [also because that's my name, lol]
Definitely canât wait!!! I watched this being filmed in my city. Itâs going to me absolutely AMAZING!!!!
It's gonna be a great cast. I can't wait.
Glad someone feels that way
West Side Story was the first movie musical i saw back when i was a kid. I loved it so much, I went back to see it 9 more times. Lol. It has a special place in my heart. I will see the new version with an open mind but I know i won't be able to help missing Natalie Wood and George Chakiris.
Smh are we just forgetting that Mike was a newsie? Also, Iâm super super excited to see Ariana Debose as Anita (she really is incredible, so to everyone who is worried, have faith in her!!!) and Rachel Zegler as MarĂa (also an incredible actress and vocalist who I am so excited for).
Newsies forever!
There's three of them in this, and I'm pumped! (Mike, Ben, and Kyle)
@@fiddler_stickss also the Guzman twins. Thereâs a lot of newsies
My favorite character is definitely Riff, I donât like him as a person but I like how he has depth and is not just a good guy. Mike Faist was amazing in this role and I couldnât be more happy
I loved George Chakiris and Rita Moreno đ„°
The best! And Tamblyn too...
@@marknewton6984 yesss, Russ is an incredible Riff
I don't think they can beat the Original!
You guys mentioned that the wonderfully talented Marni Nixon, who dubbed for Deborah Kerr in King &. I & Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady. But you failed to mention that the beautiful singing for Tony was by Jimmy Bryant. He's still alive & kicking in West Hollywood. Or was in 2019!
I've met Jimmy & Rita Moreno irl, both were very nice. I was really impressed with Ms Moreno's kindness!!! She paid me a very nice compliment that I will cherish for the rest of my life!!!
@@tommie659 what did she say??
I played âTonyâ at a summer stock production...it was a dream come true. I loved the movie from the first time l saw it. though Tony may not have the greatest lines, or even what some would consider a âleading manâ role, the music his character sings....my GAWD... the absolute best! Hands DOWN!!
I canât wait for the new version, though no cast will ever unseat from my heart, the original cast!
(And who DOES NOT love the role of Anita?!?!? Such anger and love, passion and power!!!!!)
Tony gets immense songs. But the soundtrack is packed with good numbers.
This is great!
There will never be another Rita Moreno or a cast like the original West Side Story.
I don't care if George Chakiris wasn't Puerto Rican.... He will always be my Bernardo
My only complaint about was his sing during the America number
The guy that Spielberg cast doesn't have the looks, the legs, or the grace of George Chakiris. He's totally uncharismatic. I don't know what Spielberg was thinking.
Chakiris just oozed sensuality and charisma. I'm a little concerned about the actor they've cast to replace him. He does't appear to have those smouldering good looks, but he's clearly talented - hopefully he's charismatic!
Rachel Zegler is actually 19 now! You should definitely check her out she is incredible.
Sheâs gonna blow us all away with her performance!
The choreography from the song Cool can't possibly be beaten.
The old school camera, made everyone look quite tan. When I was little I honestly couldnât tell the difference between the sharks and jets. I thought it was stupid for them to fight, when they all looked the same.
I don't understand the concept of remaking perfect movies. It's an experience doomed from the start: you KNOW it will never be as good as the original
Some remakes were successful. Besides, this has been remade numerous times on stage
Itâs not perfect. They didnât have many people of color in it, the leads couldnât even sing. So it seems like this will be a lot better because they are casting people who have been on a broadway stage and can sing and dance.
@@punkwrestle No one could possibly be better than Rita Moreno and George Chakiris.
Punkwrestle yes! This movie really needs to be remade bc the music and story is wonderful but the brownface makes me so uncomfortable!
Carol Lipton Maybe, but we definitely can do better for Tony and Maria, who didnât even sing. If the lead actors in a musical canât sing, can we really call that musical the best it can be?
Mickey Roonie is a great actor, but wouldnât someone who didnât need to tape their eyes be better playing someone Asian in Breakfast at Tiffanyâs?
I really enjoyed the new version, but still prefer the old one for sentimental reasons. Iâm Puerto Rican and I had absolutely no problem, believing that Natalie Wood was a Puerto Rican. She did a great job.
Tony & Maria... beautiful chemistry!!
An epic story, epic music and directed by an epic Director, Steven Spielberg, with a great cast and fantastic Cinematography. I have seen two stage productions as well as the 1961 movie a few times. I can't wait to see the new release.
West Side Story is one of those films that should never be remade. My Dad often reminisces about the time he saw the stage version with George Chikaris when he watches the film
I don't think Spielberg has ever made musical before, has he? In any case, I can't wait to see what he can do with this Broadway classic. It will be hard to surpass.
Since he passed away in 1988, I'd like to share a bittersweet memory about Tucker Smith, the tall, handsome lad who played "Ice" performing the song, "Cool," in the movie. Working on a movie set one day, I noticed an extra who was portraying the bartender in one scene. Even though he had a closely-trimmed beard, he seemed vaguely familiar to me. Although he had no lines, he was dressed immaculately, and as an older man, was still incredibly handsome. But I couldn't shake the feeling that "I had seen him somewhere," so I just walked up to him, introduced myself, and asked him, "where??" He asked me if I'd ever seen the movie version of West Side Story, and I answered "yes." That's when he told me who he was, and I very nearly fell over. I'm a very frank person (sometimes extremely so), so I just asked him why I'd never seen him in any other film since his breakout role. Since I was honest, he was, too. He told me that even though most of the actors and dancers in the movie were gay, he felt no compunction about "coming out" during the production, something no actor would ever do in the early sixties, as being openly gay could easily destroy your career. But he was unafraid, when he should have been. According to him, coming out so publicly virtually ruined his film career, reducing him to even taking extra work and stand in jobs just to pay the bills. While I applauded his courage, alas, the decision cost him his entire career. RIP, Tucker Smith, sadly, ahead of your time.
When I was a child in 1960s I was maria in the school play. I never get tire of seeing this play. Can't wait to see remake
Russ Tamblyn also played the role of Gideon in the movie Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. What a movie!!
And what a talent!
Can't wait!!! Rita Moreno! She's so cute! Saw her at The Cafe Carlyle. Fascinating lady
Anybodys. I love that girl.
me too and she ALWAYS gets left out
Nothing like the 1st west side story. Never get tired of watching the movie. My best actress Anita, Maria, Tony and Bernado
As a drama student in London in the Late 1950's, I was supposed to go to the Theatre every week and write a review! In Early December, 1958 a friend and I chose to pay 2/6d to sit in the "Gods" (the very top row) of Her Majesty's theatre to see the 2nd night of "West Side Story". it was a revelation, to us, I can still remember the awe at some of the scene changes, to this day (I'm 81 now). It has been my favourite musical ever since, I till find myself singing along with all the songs, but my favourite was always Rita Moreno singing "A boy like that!" with so much pain and anguish in her performance!
The original is perfect. Spielberg has laid eggs in the past.
Having grown up with the show, I never liked the 1961 movie - except for the extraordinary opening sequence which I used to show my architecture students as a perfect representation of the NYC street. I was hoping Spielberg would shoot this in 3D (think Wim Wenders' Pina), but that's too much to wish for.
I agree. The play is MUCH MORE POWERFUL than the bland film. I hope Spielberg gets it right thsi time.
Translations of stage musicals to the screen are difficult, likely because of cinema technology: close-ups, camera movement, editing. I can think of a few exceptions: "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," thanks to Richard Lester's brilliant direction and clever editing; "Kiss Me Kate," as it was largely set on the stage, and shot in 3D; "Jesus Christ Superstar," so outrageous that it kind of works. Musicals created for the screen fare much better: "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," "Singin' in the Rain," "The Band Wagon," for example.
@@michaelkaplan22b True,--I studied Film so I know all the points you brought up. . MY favorite film musicals are "Oliver" (thankfully directed by a Brit, and one known for Drama, and NOT an American, who surely would have 'sugared' it up) and 'Cabaret', changed significantly from the stage production., but drected by one of its originators, Fosse. My problem with WSS is that it toned down the vibrancy and edge of the play (the creator of the play's 'look', choreographer Jerome Robbons, quit early on in filmmaking for this very reason). Even if I did NOT know thw play, the film doesn't work--it is dated--but for the worng reasons. BTW, "Superstar" for me, was an interesting disaster as a film, though the concept they came up with--actors putting it on in the desert--was a clever one, but they emphasized the 'hippiness' too much.' The film of 'Hair' was another miscalculation.
@@eldiran2 Interesting that Fosse's name comes up. He was one of the supporting players in "Kiss Me Kate," and his choreography for one of the sequences in "From This Moment On" launched his choreographic career. And ... you've GOT to see this film in 3D to fully appreciate it. I threw in "Jesus Christ" because it was filmed just outside the town in Israel I lived in, and many of the extras were from the town. Aside from its location in archeological ruins, and the stunning opening with Israeli air force jets flying overhead, I agree that, overall, the film was not very good. BTW it will be interesting to see how "Hamilton" translates to the screen.
Don't understand people not liking the original film. I thought it was wonderful. In spite of the lip syncing I thought all the actors were perfect. I'm dubious about the remake especially since one of the main creative forces behind the original, Jerome Robbins, is no longer with us. Wish the new cast and crew all the best but good luck recreating Robbins electric choreography.
We need this movie thanks for making this video.
A WONDERFUL RE-MAKE OF A CLASSIC. LOOKS LIKE A BIG OSCAR WIN.
Natalie Wood to me, will always be the perfect Maria.
Rita Moreno, also a perfect Anita, whose dancing could light a fire.
Don't forget Chakiris and Tamblyn!
I absolutely adored the original movie! Natalie Wood however was always painfully unable to mimic any kind of Latino accent, which always took me out of the movie a bit. Anita was definitely the best character and actress!
looking forward to the mambo scene, especially since I taught myself the choreography đ
Went to the 1961 movie in the mid 60s, with my first date. Two days ago I want to 2021 version with my wife. Spielberg did great! Highly recommended!
my favourite character is probably Anita
I would have preferred a filmed version by Spielberg of the operetta CANDIDE by Leonard Bernstein based on VOLTAIRE.
SIR-------AT NOW 75 Y/O, I AM A LIFETIME LOVER OF CINEMA. AND, IN MY LIFETIME, " WEST SIDE STORY " IS MY ALL-TIME #1 FILM. I SAW IT AS A 14 Y/O IN '61, & TO THIS DAY, THE FILM IS A MASTERPIECE NEVER EQUALED. THIS NEW FILM MAY BE , IN SOME OR MANY WAYS, " BETTER " -----BUT IT CAN NEVER, EVER, BE THE CLASSIC I GREW UP WITH; AS MUCH AS I RESPECT SPIELBERG, I JUST WISH, HE HAD LEFT A GREAT FILM, ALONE. ------------MJL
Good video
Itâs unfortunate you didnât mention Action. One of my family members played him in the original.
3:22 - "HEY YOU GUYS!!!!"
One of my all time Favorite Movie đ„°