West Side Story won 10 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Directing and Best Original Score, the film took home more awards than any other movie-musical in the history of cinema. This monumental production not only featured the timeless lyrics from master American composer Stephen Sondheim, but a brilliant score from Leonard Bernstein, and beautiful direction from Robert Wise.
This anniversary edition of the film boasts hundreds of hours of restoration, new 7.1 digital audio, and a collection of bonus features spotlighting the harmonious songs and elaborate dances of the original film and I enjoyed every last minute of it!!
For those not familiar with the film, it’s an ageless story of Romeo and Juliet against a backdrop of gang warfare in 1950’s New York. A love affair is fated for tragedy amidst the vicious rivalry between two street gangs – the Jets and the Sharks. When Jets member Tony (Richard Beymer, The Longest Day) falls for Maria (Natalie Wood, Splendor in the Grass), the sister of the Sharks leader, it’s more than these two warring gangs can handle. As mounting tensions rise, a battle to the death ensues and innocent blood is shed in a heartbreaking finale.
And don’t even get me started on the music!
Oh my, I love it all.
If you watch Glee, I’m sure you know what I am talking about.
The music sucks you in!
Here is one of my favorite songs from the film!
WEST SIDE STORY 50th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Special Features
- ALL-NEW: Pow! The Dances of West Side Story – cast members, contemporary filmmakers, dancers and choreographers analyze and illuminate the film’s famous dance sequences.
- Prologue
- Dance At the Gym
- Tony and Maria’s Cha Cha
- America
- The Rumble
- Maria’s Roof Dance
- Cool
- ALL-NEW: A Place for Us: West Side Story’s Legacy – a look back at the iconic film and the impact it has had all over the world
- Creation and Innovation
- A Timeless Vision
- Song Specific Commentary by Lyricist Stephen Sondheim
- Prologue
- The Jet Song
- Something’s Coming
- Dance At the Gym
- Maria
- America
- Tonight
- Gee, Officer Krupke
- I Feel Pretty
- One Hand, One Heart
- Quintet
- Somewhere
- Cool
- A Boy Like That / I Have A Love
- Music Machine –allows viewers to go straight to their favorite musical numbers
- West Side Memories
- Storyboard to Film Comparison Montage
- Trailers
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Original Issue Trailer
- Reissue Trailer
- Animated Trailer
Also available is the West Side Story: 50th Anniversary Edition Box Set [Blu-ray]
Disclaimer: This promotion was based on using information provided by Twentieth Century Home Entertainment. Twentieth Century Home Entertainment does not represent or warrant the accuracy of any statements or product claims made here, nor does it endorse any opinions expressed within this blogsite. The opinions stated from me are 100% mine and they are my true thoughts.