Comparing the film versions of West Side Story

In this video I talk about how the 1961 film version of West Side Story differs from the 2021 version.

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Music from Epidemic Sound

[PurpleBiscuit]

One of the changes that I loved the most was seeing the Jett girls trying to help Anita when the Jett's attack her. I think it heightened how monstrous the Jetts where on that scene that not even their peers would stand beside them

[Hollyberrystreats]

Having Tony be an ex-con who almost killed someone and that's why he distanced himself from the Jets is a change that worked well for me. In the original it just seemed like Tony outgrew the Jets like they were some childhood hobby, really undercutting their threat since I don't think it's that easy for people to leave organized crime. Similarly having Bernardo as a boxer and his snark to Riff that the Sharks all have jobs drives home the hopelessness of having to fight like this, for survival and a piece of a place that's about to disappear anyway, while also working real jobs that might disappear as well.

[DMovieman]

One thing I can absolutely say both films have in common is that Anita is still my favorite character, and America is still the best musical number, hands down! 👏👏👏

[RizzoF]

The change that stuck out to me the most was Chino. How they altered his character made his story the most heartbreaking in some ways. Out of both the Jets and the Sharks he was the one person who had a really bright future. An accountant who was learning machine repair. He was bright, polite, cute and even a bit funny (see him at the dance). Yet in the end his best friend was dead and he became a killer, likely to go to jail for many years or even life. I don't normally cry very much at movies but I've seen this twice now and cried for him both times!

[henninggirl]

I have a theory that most creatives don’t understand the character of Tony. They think his conflict is being with Maria and it’s really not. Tony is trying to leave his violent past behind, which is clearly the way forward. Maria is even a good partner for him in this regard. His Achilles heel is Riff. Where Tony ultimately fails is not comprehending that in order to keep on his path, he has to let Riff go. When Maria asks him to stop the rumble, he should’ve said “I can’t. The only thing we can do is distance ourselves as much as possible.” Just like is Romeo & Juliet the solutions are actually pretty simple but they’re too close and cannot see the forest for the trees. Friar Lawrence should’ve married Romeo and Juliet and then immediately taken them to the Prince of Verona and told him “I have a solution for your problem.” The Prince announces their marriage and his blessing of it. Bing bang boom, Montague and Capulet would be forced into a position of making public peace.

[salmakhouja]

Here's what i loved about the 2021 version:
- they really buffed up the caracters back stories, espacially Maria and Tony's
- the relationship between Tony and Riff is given much more context and depth, also Mike Faist is a REVELATION!!!
- the "Cool" scene is insanely well filmed and choreographed
- Also you can tell tell Spielberg LOVES musicals! Most musical directors seem almost embarassed by the fact that they're directing one (hm Tom Hooper). Spielberg is like "yes these are street gang members dancing ballet in the middle of the street, deal with it!"

My two little tiny issues (cause i F%%% loved that movie)
- The placement of "i feel pretty" bothered me a little. It's supposed to be this joyous song about falling in love and here in the context of the film it's just sad
- The new "America" version is great but the 1962 version just feels angrier and has much more effect in my opinion

Edit: wow did not expect for this comment to get so many likes and replies! So cool to read all your opinions and learning so much (didn't know that the "I feel pretty placement was the same than on broadway :) )

[VidWatcher]

The attempted rape scene in the original version always made me feel uncomfortable but it messed me up in this newer version. I mean the white women who originally scorned Anita just as much as the dudes in the beginning of the scene go out their way to try to help before they're locked out Doc's store! Even they knew how messed up it was for the Jets to try to rape an innocent woman because of the hatred in their hearts. I was glad when Valentina called them out for growing up to become rapists.

[noemiecansier]

I really liked the changed of Tony awkwardly trying to learn Spanish, that was very sweet. All other valid criticisms aside I thought Ansel did a good job of the ‘James Dean’ type. I didn’t like how Tony seemed to think of Maria as his own personal redemption, I did like that Bernardo called him out on it.

[koook]

The change that surprised me the most was Riff. Tamblyn’s take had a more “class clown” feel to him, and most productions either follow suit or pay little mind to the character despite his importance.

The second Mike Faist entered the frame, I knew they weren’t going down that route. With an emaciated build, hardened expressions, distinct body language, you knew they had different plans. Riff being depicted as a hateful, charismatic, almost psychopathic figure really shook the ground. Faist’s performance might be my favorite of the entire year. Every acting choice he makes (the John Mulaney-meets-Paul-Reiser voice, the mannerisms) is “big”. It could have gone wrong in so many ways, but the gambit pays off, and we get a definitive portrayal of the character.

Nominate him, AMPAS! Do Kodi Smit-Mcphee too, so we have two Demon Twinks in Supporting Actor

[musical_merri]

First of all, the movie is an absolute masterpiece! Here's my take on Ansel. He gave a fine performance! I'm so tired of seeing comments of people saying "he brought the entire movie down - one of the worst performances - he can't sing - he showed no emotion". In all honesty, he gave Tony so much more depth and urgency than the original. The way he delivered some of his lines was beautiful, and made me tear up. Do I support AE personal life? No. But I give credit when credit is due. I loved the entire move, and you can see the entire cast gave it their 110%.

[kleerude]

I was blown away by Rachel Zegler’s singing. She sang like an angel!

[erikdanielsn]

Ansel Elgort aside, I thought the cast did incredible. Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, Mike Faist, David Alvarez and Josh Andrés Rivera really gave their characters so much depth and weight with their performances. All of them added much complexitity and depth to their characters, which makes Riff and Bernardo’s deaths and Tony’s ultimate murder by Chino so unbelievably tragic and devistating

[Mattrr]

The contextualization re: the gentrification of Manhattan's west side (new to me!) helped articulate, as you said, that macro-level of systemic oppression against the WHOLE neighborhood, Jet or Shark. I saw the film this afternoon and what I'm struck by most is Valentina. Who once was an Anita. Now a widow and revisiting the "taunting" scene from the POV of needing to be the adult to break it up. This tiny woman, who has lived a WHOLE life, shouldn't be out on the streets now in her house coat and hair-net. This woman should be upstairs; asleep in the bed she shared with her husband in the apartment above the store she's now being strong-armed out of to better suit the dreams of Mr. Robert Moses. It felt like such a circle. A real answer to "why are we revisiting WSS?" Because in America traumatized children find access to guns and with those guns they end up traumatizing those left behind, clearing the rubble. Thank you for your work--it's tremendous.

[benjamintillema]

Comparing the opening scene of La La Land to a GAP commercial (11:00) was not what I was expecting but I'm here for it!

[thewalrusaurus]

The only change that i felt wasn't a straight upgrade from the original was giving Somewhere to Rita Moreno. Its a cute idea, but without that song, Maria's acceptance of Tony despite the knowledge of his murder of her brother lacks justification. The moment doesn't play right without the two of them singing it together. It also has the side effect of switching the reprise at the close of the film to Tonight, instead of Somewhere which isn't remotely as effective imo.

[WhateverHonestly]

Having seen both versions, honestly I preferred the romance in the first one. I don't really get on board easily with love at first sight stories but this one in the 1961 movie was just so compelling and sweet looking that I loved it. Its very fantastical and idealistic but mutual and hopeful and I think the lack of words, the interpretative dancing and the incredible acting made it just work.

[luisjaviercarrasquillo]

As a person born and raised in Puerto Rico, I can confidently say Spielberg’s adaptation addresses A LOT of the issues of 1961 film regarding cultural depiction. Like you, I was skeptical of a new adaptation, but was pleasantly surprised.

[judescoburn]

Leonard Berstein's brilliant score is the single factor that holds this musical timeless and exceptional. There would be no remakes without it.

[mikecook]

The acting of Riff and Bernardo at the rumble was outstanding. The bravado and cockiness initially of both characters changes dramatically when the knives come into play, and the look of fear on both faces while having the knives, knowing the highly increased danger and uncertainty is inevitable, was acting at its very best. Alvarez and Faust’s acting was amazing and memorable in this sequence.

[BrendaGarcia-tyml]

When you change “let it sink in the ocean” it flattens the character of Amita. A lot of people can relate to hating their country — that’s what makes her complex and independent. It’s her saying that about her home — not a general statement about Puerto Rico.