As mentioned earlier, this
movie/
stage production was a modern adaption to
William Shakespeare's "
Romeo and Juliet." This can be seen in the incredible amount of similarities between the two.
Verona becomes
New York, the
Montagues become the Sharks, the
Capulets become the
Jets, and Capulet's Ball becomes the Dance at the Gym. The
list can go on.
"West Side Story" was originally supposed to be a story of religious dispute between two families (most likely between a Jewish family and a Catholic counterpart). During the years in which it was filmed, it was discovered that struggle with Puerto Ricans was much more interesting and modern.
This is a great movie, and the music is amazing. Romeo and Juliet has long been a favorite play, but there is one criticism I have of the movie. This is that Natalie Wood received the main role. She had all of the music voiced over by Marni Nixon (you may remember her doing the same for Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady). Rita Moreno, another great actress, could also sing, yet she wasn't given the lead roll. Not to say that the product wasn't excellent, but it seems more fair to give the actual singer the lead roll.