West Side Story - 50th Anniversary Edition

In 1957, the convergence of four of the greatest talents of Broadway musical theatre resulted in "West Side Story," considered by many to be the finest American musical ever created. Leonard Bernstein's miraculous score, an amalgam of popular, classical, jazz and Latin influences, has never been equaled. The script of Arthur Laurents was at once clever and moving. Jerome Robbins' spiky, original choreography was tremendously influential in the history of modern dance. Although dissatisfied with some of the lyrics he fashioned for this, his first musical, Stephen Sondheim was proven wrong by the enduring popularity of the songs. Ironically, this updating of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet " ( a seemingly sure-fire vehicle,) to New York's upper West Side, focusing on the conflicts between the resident neighborhood and incoming Puerto Rican street gangs, met with some cool, critical comments. Yet, like so many groundbreaking artworks, the musical soon became recognized as a towering masterpiece.

When the work was in production for the 1961 film version, the severe demands of Robbins, chosen to direct the film, proved too financially exorbitant. He was replaced by veteran director Robert Wise, whose solid leadership and creative touches contributed enormously to the spectacular success of the movie. At his disposal was a superlative cast of hand-picked actors and dancers, who realized their parts to perfection. Surpassing any other musical film, "West Side Story" won a total of 10 Oscars, including Best Picture of 1961.

The film has never been a stranger to the home video market, being first released as a lamentably cropped version on a two-tape, VHS package. It has undergone no fewer than 6 DVD incarnations, some of them pan-and-scanned, full screen versions, and others presented in a widescreen ratio that approximated the original Super Panavision 70 photographic format. For the film's 50th anniversary, MGM is releasing the film on Blu-ray, in both a slim-line, 3-disc compilation, and an elaborate box set, which includes a book, postcards and a fourth disc of famous musical covers of the tunes.

The 3-disc Anniversary Edition includes the Blu-ray release, as well as a second Blu-ray containing all the special features. As an added bonus, a third disc is enclosed, a DVD transfer of the newly restored edition. And the restoration is dazzling, made quite apparent in the new Blu-ray. The color has been balanced and restored to its initial intensity. Though a few shots were filmed with a grainier stock, and remain that way, most of the film is stunningly sharp and rich in detail. The Hi Def remastering gives certain moments, such as the war council in Doc's soda fountain, an incredible lifelike quality one finds in the most successful Blu-ray releases. The 7.1 DTS-HD sound is remarkable. Small glitches such as sound dropouts in the "Jet Song," clearly perceptible in earlier incarnations, have been repaired; and the separation of vocal and instrumental lines is nicely distinct. As an option, the Blu-ray can be viewed in "Pow" mode, in which the dance sequences are preceded by interviews with dancers and choreographers discussing each upcoming number in great detail.
The extras on Disc 2 include a top-notch documentary entitled "A Place For Us: West Side Story's Legacy." Members of the original film and Broadway cast, authors, film historians, and luminaries such as Sondheim and Bernstein's daughter Jamie, elaborate on the work and its history. Retained from earlier DVD editions, another indispensable documentary entitled "West Side Memories" is featured, as well as storyboard comparisons and theatrical trailers.

Modestly priced at under $20., the glorious "West Side Story 50th Anniversary Edition, released just in time for" the holiday season, is an absolute must!