Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
A captivating, richly illustrated behind-the-scenes account of a cultural moment: the making of the ground-breaking movie classic West Side Story (1961).
A major hit on Broadway, on film West Side Story became immortal. With unforgettable songs, an urgent love story, and audacious choreography, West Side Story was a movie different from anything that had come before, but this cinematic victory came at a price.
In this engrossing text, film historian Richard Barrios recounts how the film's enormous budget and complicated logistics made it a challenging production, and massive overruns in both cost and schedule led to tension between co-directors Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. The result was Robbins being fired midway through the filming, a termination devastating to the film's fragile star, Natalie Wood.
Over nearly six decades, West Side Story has endured, past its off-screen dramas. But the story of its production and impact have been recounted only in vestiges. In the pages of this photo-filled book, the behind-the-scenes tale comes to life, along with detail on what has made the film a favorite across six decades: its brilliant use of dance; a meaningful story, as set to Leonard Bernstein's music and Stephen Sondheim's lyrics; a film with Shakespearean roots (Romeo and Juliet) that is simultaneously timeless and current. West Side Story was a triumph that appeared to be very much of its time; over the years, and especially in this text, it has shown itself to be eternal.
Synopsis
A captivating, richly illustrated full account of the making of the ground-breaking movie classic West Side Story (1961). A major hit on Broadway, on film West Side Story became immortal-a movie different from anything that had come before, but this cinematic victory came at a price. In this engrossing volume, film historian Richard Barrios recounts how the drama and rivalries seen onscreen played out to equal intensity behind-the-scenes, while still achieving extraordinary artistic feats.
The making and impact of West Side Story has so far been recounted only in vestiges. In the pages of this book, the backstage tale comes to life along with insight on what has made the film a favorite across six decades: its brilliant use of dance as staged by erstwhile co-director Jerome Robbins; a meaningful story, as set to Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's soundtrack; the performances of a youthful ensemble cast featuring Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and more; a film with Shakespearean roots (Romeo and Juliet) that is simultaneously timeless and current. West Side Story was a triumph that appeared to be very much of its time; over the years it has shown itself to be eternal.