Original West Side Story Film Released for Free Streaming

A winner of 10 Academy Awards, the classic movie musical holds the record for the most wins for a musical to this day. The film is an adaptation of the 1957 hit Broadway show which is a retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

The 1961 film stars Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, and George Chakiris. Steven Spielberg produced an updated version of the film in 2021 starring Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, and Ansel Elgort.

The film will be available to stream for free in the US and Canada starting February 3rd for a limited period. It has now been added to our list of free musicals and plays.

West Side Story is a modern-day retelling of "Romeo and Juliet" in which street gangs in New York take center stage. On the harsh streets of the upper west side, two gangs battle for control of the turf. The situation becomes complicated when a gang member falls in love with a rival's sister.

In his review for The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw said: "Sondheim's lyrics for (I Like to Be In) America still snap, crackle and pop, though elsewhere, the cynicism looks a little dated. But there is one especially lovely moment. At their first meeting, lovestruck Tony asks Maria if her kindness to him is just a joke. She replies: "I have not yet learned to joke that way. Now I never will." This is a real big-screen event."