Rita Moreno delivered an indelible performance in the original film as Anita, winning her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar, as did Best Supporting Actor winner for George Chakiris for his portrayal of Anita’s boyfriend, Bernardo. The film cleaned up in other categories as well, including Best Picture and Best Director for Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. Meanwhile, the new West Side Story has had fantastic reviews, garnered multiple Oscar nominations and promises to be a modern-day classic in its own right. The musical’s themes of gang violence, racism, and Romeo and Juliet-style, star-crossed love have transcended generations, while the songs remain timeless. Now that the new version’s available to stream on not one but two different platforms, here’s everything you want to know about how to watch both the original West Side Story and the new West Side Story.
Is West Side Story on Disney Plus?
As of March 2, 2022, you can stream the 2021 West Side Story remake on Disney Plus with a subscription.
Is West Side Story on HBO Max?
As of March 2, 2022, you can stream the 2021 West Side Story remake on HBO Max with a subscription.
How can I watch West Side Story 2021?
As of March 2, 2022, the new West Side Story is available to stream for free if you have an HBO Max or Disney Plus subscription.
Is the new West Side Story streaming?
The 2021 version of West Side Story is streaming on HBO Max and Disney Plus as of March 2, 2022.
Where can I rent the new West Side Story (2021)?
Is the original West Side Story on Netflix?
The original West Side Story from 1961 isn’t currently available on Netflix, and neither is the 2021 version.
What platform is the original West Side Story on?
Who streams the original West Side Story?
West Side Story is available for streaming on HBO Max as of March 2, 2022, which is also the day the 2021 West Side Story remake became available to stream on both HBO Max and Disney Plus.
Is the original West Side Story on TV?
According to TV Guide, there are no upcoming scheduled airings of West Side Story (either version) on broadcast TV or cable as of March 2, 2022.
How to watch the original West Side Story on DVD
When Spielberg’s remake hits cinemas on Dec. 10, it’ll be almost 60 years to the day after its L.A. premiere. If you’re feeling super-nostalgic (or if you’re looking for a great holiday gift for West Side Story superfans!), there’s a 50th anniversary, limited-edition box set that was issued in 2011 that’s available for purchase as well.
Who is in the original West Side Story cast?
The original West Side Story film cast includes:
Natalie Woodas MariaRita Morenoas AnitaRichard Beymer as TonyRuss Tamblyn (yep, father to Amber Tamblyn!) as RiffGeorge Chakiris as BernardoWilliam Bradley as Police Sergeant KrupkeSimon Oakland as Police Lieutenant SchrankNed Glass as DocJose De Vega as ChinoTommy Abbott as Gee-TarRobert Banas as JoyboyDavid Bean as TigerNick Covacevich as ToroCarol D’Andrea as VelmaRudy Del Campo as Del CampoHarvey Evans as MouthpieceEliot Feld as Baby JohnSuzie Kaye as RosaliaBert Michaels as SnowboyJoanne Miya as FranciscaTony Mordente as ActionJay Norman as PepeSusan Oakes as Anybody’sJaime Rogers as LocoLarry Roquemore as RoccoTucker Smith as IceAndre Tayir as ChileAnthony “Scooter” Teague as Big DealRobert Thompson as LuisGina Trikonis as GraziellaGus Trikonis as IndioEddie Verso as JuanoYvonne Wilder as ConsueloDavid Winters as A-Rab
Wood and Moreno’s singing was dubbed in the film by vocalists Marni Nixon and Betty Ward, respectively. Ward sang for Moreno in “A Boy Like That,” while Nixon sang all of Wood’s musical parts. Hear Nixon sing Maria’s most famous musical number, “I Feel Pretty,” here: Ward can be heard in this scene, in which her voice is dubbed over Moreno’s. The original film has come under fire in more recent times for its majority-white casting, including those playing Puerto Rican characters. Moreno, who actually is Puerto Rican, was still put in brownface to play Anita. Moreno recalled in a 2017 interview, “We all had the same color makeup, it was a very different time. I remember saying to the makeup man one day—because it was like putting mud on my face, it was really dark and I’m a fairly fair Hispanic—and I said to the makeup man one day, ‘My God! Why do we all have to be the same color? Puerto Ricans are French and Spanish…’ And it’s true, we are very many different colors, we’re Taino Indian, we are Black, some of us.” The makeup team’s response to Moreno was less than ideal. “And the makeup man actually said to me, ‘What? Are you a racist?’” she recalled. “I was so flabbergasted that I couldn’t come back with an answer.”
Is the original West Side Story PG?
The original West Side Story from 1961 was unrated at the time, but likely would nab a PG-13 rating today due to suggestive themes and violence.
What is the main message of West Side Story?
West Side Story is a denouncement of violence (especially, obviously, gang violence) and a plea for cultural and racial tolerance. Modern interpretations and productions of the musical (originally created for the stage) also cite gun violence specifically as a theme that’s unfortunately all too current today. The story also examines the plight of immigrants (though Puerto Rico is a United States territory), but the experiences depicted in the 1961 original weren’t necessarily that of Puerto Ricans at the time—likely at least in part because composer Stephen Sondheimconfessed that he’d never even met a Puerto Rican person before writing the songs for the musical.
Why was the original West Side Story so groundbreaking?
As a Broadway musical, West Side Story was more cinematic at the time than anything that had come before it, and the dancing at the center of its storyline made it stand out from other musicals in which the choreography was often more incidental than crucial to the plot.
Is there a West Side Story trailer?
Several teasers and trailers have been released for the 2021 West Side Story. Below, we can see trouble brewing between the Sharks and the Jets (who look much more menacing than their 1961 counterparts did!), with the police promising to crack down on the violence between the rival gangs. In the first official trailer for the film, we see Maria singing “Tonight, Tonight” from her balcony. She then tells her family how she wants to make a life and a home in New York City as she gets ready for a dance, complete with Anita helping her get dressed. Her brother warns her that he will hurt “the first gringo boy that smiles at [Maria],” and just after, we see her lock eyes with Tony at the dance. She tells him she doesn’t know him because he isn’t Puerto Rican, to which Tony replies, “Is that OK?” Then we see the violence and anger between the groups emerge, with the Jets lamenting how their neighborhoods and businesses are being overrun and the Sharks demanding loyalty to their families and groups.
Who is in the new West Side Story cast?
The new West Side Story cast includes:
Ansel Elgort as TonyRachel Zegler as MariaAriana DeBose as AnitaDavid Alvarez as BernardoRita Moreno as ValentinaBrian D’arcy James as Officer KrupkeCorey Stoll as Lieutenant SchrankMike Faist as RiffJosh Andrés Rivera as ChinoIris Menas as AnybodysDavid Aviles Morales as AníbalSebastian Serra as Braulio
Is the new West Side Story PG?
The new West Side Story (2021) is rated PG-13 for similar themes as the original, including suggestive dialogue and violence. Next, find out how Rita Moreno’s zest for life is keeping her fit at nearly 90 years old!
