West Side Story (3/10) Movie CLIP - Maria (1961) HD

CLIP DESCRIPTION:
Tony (Richard Beymer) sings of his newfound love for Maria (Natalie Wood).

FILM DESCRIPTION:
Romeo and Juliet is updated to the tenements of New York City in this Oscar-winning musical landmark. Adapted by Ernest Lehman from the Broadway production, the movie opens with an overhead shot of Manhattan, an effect that director Robert Wise would repeat over the Alps in The Sound of Music four years later. We are introduced to two rival street gangs: the Jets, second-generation American teens, and the Sharks, Puerto Rican immigrants. When the war between the Jets and Sharks reaches a fever pitch, Jets leader Riff (Russ Tamblyn) decides to challenge the Sharks to one last "winner take all" rumble. He decides to meet Sharks leader Bernardo (George Chakiris) for a war council at a gymnasium dance; to bolster his argument, Riff wants his old pal Tony (Richard Beymer), the cofounder of the Jets, to come along. But Tony has set his sights on vistas beyond the neighborhood and has fallen in love with Bernardo's sister, Maria (Natalie Wood), a love that, as in Romeo and Juliet, will eventually end in tragedy. In contrast to the usual slash-and-burn policy of Hollywood musical adaptations, all the songs written by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim for the original Broadway production of West Side Story were retained for the film version, although some alterations were made to appease the Hollywood censors, and the original order of two songs was reversed for stronger dramatic impact. The movie more than retains the original choreography of Jerome Robbins, which is recreated in some of the most startling and balletic dance sequences ever recorded on film. West Side Story won an almost-record ten Oscars, including Best Picture, supporting awards to Chakiris and Rita Moreno as Bernardo's girlfriend, Anita, and Best Director to Robbins and Wise. Richard Beymer's singing was dubbed by Jimmy Bryant, Natalie Wood's by Marni Nixon (who also dubbed Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady), and Rita Moreno's by Betty Wand. The film's New York tenement locations were later razed to make room for Lincoln Center.

CREDITS:
TM & © MGM (1961)
Cast: Richard Beymer
Directors: Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise
Producers: Saul Chaplin, Robert Wise, Walter Mirisch
Screenwriters: Ernest Lehman, Arthur Laurents, William Shakespeare, Jerome Robbins

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[bayleecorona]

“Say it soft and it’s almost like praying” gets me EVERY TIME

[SesameStrut]

The cinematography of this scene is astonishing. The gigantic emptiness of the city, the most intimate realization of first love. Pure poetry.

[kateb]

I cant get over the fact that this movie takes place over like 36 hours

[MariaDavis]

I was named after this song. The doctor even sang it to me the moment I was born. Taking a step back and listening to this as if it's not my name, and trying to imagine from my Mom's point of view, because she loves the music... I feel blessed to be named after such a beautiful song.

[Joyfulminimalist]

My baby girl Maria was just born 2 days ago, and this is the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard.

[nerfb]

This is what true love feels like. The name becomes the most gorgeous name you've ever heard. Even if you never cared for the name before. it all of a sudden becomes golden.

[victoriamariadantasrodrigues]

"Say it loud and there's music playing, say it soft and it's almost like praying" is one of my favorite lyrics EVER. It's not only incredibly beautiful, but it's smart. Maria is a biblical name, of course sounds like praying. And how the music matches the lyrics is just SO beautiful. I swear this is THE MOST romantic song ever done! And the dichotomy of both Marias in Tony's mind, the Maria that is exciting and flamboyant like music; and the calm, innocent, catholic Maria. Just perfect.

[ExMyHeartOut]

This musical gets me in tears every time. I love it!

[em]

I dare to say that this is easily one of the most beautiful songs ever written, and the movie scene itself is just incredibly heartwarming. Idk, this is the only version that really fulfills my heart. Not any other opera version, no matter how great is the singer's vocal technique. You can feel the love through his voice, it's exquisite, tender and simple. Hail Bernstein, hail Jim Bryant and Richard Beymer! This is how love looks and sounds like.

[FoxBoy]

This song is so heart shattering. I'm literally crying. It's so beautiful.

[valentinbonnarde]

Fun fact : this song is composed in the lydian mode of the major scale, which means the 4th note of the scale is raised by a half step, producing an elevating, floaty feeling on the listener. It's the brightest mode of the major scale, and I find it suits this scene extremely well

[Gabby-hwmy]

"Say it soft and it's almost like praying" God, the way this line brings tears to my eyes and makes me feel like I'm flying

[DaenaeraTargaryen]

I constantly have 1:18 - 1:45 on repeat because of how incredible the transposition of the "María" over the initial melody is and it makes my heart warm up. Like you can sing the first refrain along with it and you'll end saying "Maria" at the same time as Tony before it goes into the final verse and it's one of my favourite sections of music in the world

[DianaLee-xryr]

My dear friend Jimmy Bryant, rest in peace, provided the singing voice for Richard Beymer and just knocked it all out of the park. He was totally believable as an actor singer yet sang every note pitch perfect. I miss you, my friend. West Side Story simply holds up. I’m writing this in May 2024

[lexilarrosa]

0:56
The expression on his face gets me every time 😭 and the note the singer sings is so beautiful ❤️

[louisestracke]

This song blew my mind when I was a teenager as did all of West Side Story. I listened over and over to the movie and the Broadway album.

[LizaDavid]

I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch what her name was...?

[trinitysanabria]

he is fabulous at lip synching, I love this film. the show. the score.

[johnnyberman]

My grandma was named Maria. She was diagnosed with leukemia about 5 years ago and died 4 years ago. She always loved this song and it brings me to tears when I hear it. This is definitely the best version of it.

[felicityclairecastro]

Maria

The most beautiful sound I ever heard:
Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria
All the beautiful sounds of the words
In a single word:
Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria

Maria!
I've just met a girl named Maria,
And suddenly that name
Will never be the same
To me.

Maria!
I've just kissed a girl named Maria,
And suddenly I've found
How wonderful a sound
Can be!

Maria!
Say it loud and there's music playing,
Say it soft and it's almost like praying.

Maria,
I'll never stop saying Maria!
The most beautiful sound I ever heard.

Maria.