West Side Story Movie Comparison

1. How does the portrayal of the Jets and Sharks differ between the 1961 and 2021 versions of West Side Story? 

Although both versions similarly depict the general tension and conflict between both groups, they differ in presentation of the members. The 2021 film, for example, places greater emphasis on the Sharks’ Puerto Rican heritage – both in casting, which is generally more diverse, and musical adaptation. Unlike the 1961 version, it includes Latinx actors, and the screenplay has entire segments in Spanish. There are also bigger nods to their culture in the music, which features Latin American instruments such as congas and bongos (in ‘America’, for example). This in turn allows their culture to shine and embellish the characters rather than define them, which is arguably the case for the older version. The screenplay also allows for more nuance in the Jets members, highlighting their struggles as well as their antagonism. In fact, the 1961 version portrays the Jets as more terrorising of others, notably in the ‘Prologue’, as they scare off strangers in the streets of New York. However, the 2021 version better illustrates their (and the Sharks’) eagerness to fight, amplifying the violence rather than minimising it like the 1961 adaptation. 

2. How do the two films approach the use of dance and choreography in telling the story of West Side Story?  

Both films, in true musical theatre fashion, use dance as a mechanism to tell the story of West Side Story – making it central to the production. In both film versions, though more prominently in the 1961 version, dance fighting takes place to minimise the violence and make it more theatrical. Ironically, elegance is therefore attributed to gangs, creating a contradiction that enriches the storyline and character development. Another element present in both productions is the use of dance – that is, how it is used for expression. In the 1961 version, Maria dances on the roof before being informed of her brother’s death – a moment that represents her last moments of complete joy and innocence. Overjoyed at her new love and excited for the future to come, the dance choreography manifests Maria’s emotions physically. Similarly, as the Jets grieve Riff’s death during ‘Cool’ in the same version, they let out their emotions through dance. In this way, this version is saturated with choreography, making the whole production feel like a kind of dance that we spectate. On the other hand, the 2021 version feels more natural as it is filled with more familiar, discrete movement (aside from big numbers like ‘America’ that feel almost monumental and flaunt the advanced dance choreography).  

Interestingly, the 1961 version also represents the difference between the gangs through the dance (as well as costumes, mannerisms etc). There is a more obvious difference in dancing style between the Jets and Sharks, which is most recognisable in the gym dance scene, wherein the Jets have a more ‘classical’ or Western ‘traditional’ style (ballet, ballroom…) whereas the Sharks’ dancing is more reminiscent of the Latino American style (mambo, salsa…). The 2021 version, however, minimises this difference and establishes a stronger equality in this aspect.  

3. What changes have been made to the musical score between the 1961 and 2021 versions of West Side Story? 

The changes made to the musical score between both versions are minor and do not drastically alter the essence of the original body of work. However, aside from the inevitable changes due to re-recording, the new version also features new orchestration and new vocal arrangements. For example, the latter can be most evidently observed in ‘America’, the opening of which was altered (lyrically and musically), changing from to “Always the hurricanes blowing” to “Always the pineapples growing” (which is truer to the original Broadway version), amongst other alterations, including more prominent percussion. Figure 1.0 below illustrates these changes to the lyrics in a side-by-side comparison between the original version (which is used in the 2021 movie) and the 1961 movie. Changes to the orchestration are subtle yet omnipresent in the new version, resulting in a more contemporary sound while retaining its original character. 

Fig 1.0: lyric changes between versions 

4. How do the two films portray the character of Maria and her relationship with Tony? 

The portrayal of Maria in both film productions differs a significant amount. The 1961 version presents a more feisty, passionate Maria who arguably has more character as she is independent, stubborn and outspoken. Although the latter is true for the 2021 version, she also comes across as more naive – perhaps a better symbol of innocence (and thus truer to the character of Juliet in Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’, from whom Maria is inspired). There is also limited mention of her parents, whereas the 1961 version mentions them more frequently, reminding us of Maria’s dependence, despite her stronger character in this version.  

Maria’s relationship with Tony varies less between the versions, always maintaining the element of total infatuation that comes with sudden, overwhelming young love, although there are some notable differences. The 1961 film portrays less hesitancy in their relationship – there is an instant, palpable connection between them and more obvious flirting than the 2021 remake. This new version takes an arguably more realistic approach to new relationships as Maria and Tony are (initially) shyer and more discrete (as opposed to the immediate openness and vulnerability from 1961), though whilst maintaining undeniable chemistry. Later, their relationship continues to be more realistic to modern audiences, albeit only within a musical theatre context, as they are communicative about their problems (during their excursion the day after meeting) – an element that is lacking in the first film version.  

Overall, the differences between the Marias are largely due to the context in which they were filmed, adhering to slightly different standards and thus resulting in different yet dynamic Marias. Interestingly, the 1961 version depicts a slightly less passive and naïve Maria than the new one,  

5. How do the two films address issues of race and discrimination in their respective portrayals of the story? 

Issues of race and discrimination are central to West Side Story and are therefore present in both film adaptations. The representation of culture is perhaps more authentic in the 2021 version, as it is more embracing of the Latino culture and includes more spoken Spanish. That is not to say that it neglects these issues, however, as the Spanish language itself is symbolic of their nationality and condemned by members of the Jets as well as the Puerto Ricans wanting to integrate themselves into America. This includes Anita, who is insistent on speaking English – a detail that emphasises how Spanish represents their culture and how certain Latin Americans want to curtail this as they feel this will allow for an easier integration into society in the USA. This in turn highlights the discrimination they face as Puerto Ricans in New York, which is exacerbated in the treatment they endure from the Jets in particular, as well as authoritarian figures like Police Lieutenant Schrank and Officer Krupke. In this new version, however, the Jets deny this discrimination during the rumble when Riff says, “it’s not about skin” but “about property”, despite previous aggressive comments made about Puerto Ricans’ culture and heritage. In the 1961 version, however, they are more overtly racist, even depicting how the authority (Schrank) is against “immigrant scum”, as he puts it. This also targets the Jets, who themselves come from immigrant families yet whose white skin spares them the racism that the Sharks must face. The film is self-aware, however, as Anita comments on this difference in treatment despite their similarities before singing ‘America’ on the rooftop.  

Overall, both versions of the musical depict issues of race and discrimination in such a way that questions the reason for this racism and thus condemns mistreatment on the basis of race. Whether as a bold statement to mock hypocrisy or simply due to the time it was filmed, the 1961 version features few Latinx actors whereas the 2021 version ensures authentic representation, generally including more Latin American features whilst illustrating the racism they faced as immigrants in ‘50s New York. Both versions, though perhaps more the first, are also careful to incorporate the discrimination that white immigrants faced, though it is presented as less severe than the Puerto Ricans’ experience.  

6. What are the differences in the visual style and cinematography between the 1961 and 2021 versions of West Side Story? 

Inevitably, there are significant changes to the visual style and cinematography between the versions. However, similarities include an overall dreamy atmosphere achieved in the visual style to accompany the central theme of love in the musical. The 1961 is perhaps more exaggerated in this aspect, using cinematography tricks such as blurring, colouring etc… to achieve this. It is also more theatrical, acting out big fake punches and even inserting an intermission to mirror the original live Broadway experience. This gives a stronger sense that it is indeed musical theatre, whereas the new version feels more like a Blockbuster (understandably so, as it is directed by Steinberg in the 21^st century). The new version is at times more simplistic in its cinematography. Maria and Tony’s encounter at the gym, for example, when the “world went away” (according to the lyrics in ‘Tonight’), they are physically apart from the others – whereas the old version incorporates intense visual effects blurring out the others to symbolise their isolation and complete focus on each other.  

7. How do the two films approach the use of costumes and set design to create a sense of time and place? 

In both films costumes are symbolic – attributing colour schemes based on their heritage. Between the gangs there is a contrast in the costume colours, which is evident in the 2021 film which uses cool tones for the Jets and brighter, more colourful tones for the Sharks. The 1961 version is generally more theatrical, with bold and vivid colours that heighten the film’s stylised aesthetic, however it emulates the ‘50s style less accurately than Spielberg’s adaptation. 

The set designs differ more – not in scale, but in the ambience they create. The 1961 version has a set that honours the musical theatre template. Though it is big, it manages to create a sense of unreality through artificial looking set pieces and backdrops – as though the story takes place entirely apart from space and time. On the other hand, the 2021 film gives a greater sensation of taking place in the actual city of New York, magnifying the realism that is also achieved in the cinematography (see previous question). Overall, the new version pays closer attention to detail to achieve a more realistic and historically accurate sense of time and place. 

8. How do the two films handle the themes of love and tragedy in their respective portrayals of the story? 

Love in ‘West Side Story’ brings people together and tears others apart. The 1961 film incorporates more theatrical expression of emotion – both of love and tragedy. Expressions of love, especially between Tony and Maria, are dramatized to be more authentically musical theatre. Within the context of such a sudden (and thus arguably unrealistic) love, however, the 2021 version shows more subtle expressions of this (as previously stated in question 4). Tony and Maria are less exaggerated in their expressions, yet their love is believable as their chemistry is well executed on-screen. Unlike the 1961 version, it approaches love in a more natural way, though in no way reducing its power as their “love endures intolerance”. Thus, like the 1961 version, it showcases the power and importance of love by showing how it can overcome tragedy (such as that of Bernardo, Maria’s brother) and hatred (that which exists between the Jets and the Sharks).  

The 1961 film shows the grieving process of the Jets following the death of Riff, their leader – an element which is lacking in Spielberg’s adaptation, which only briefly shows Tony’s grief over his death. In fact, the older version seems to portray less tolerance for death, as the gang members are genuinely shocked by it and thus shed their tough exterior. The 2021 version therefore comes across as more violent and renders characters more (though not completely) immune to tragedy. Ultimately, both versions make a point of demonstrating how love (that between Maria and Tony) has the power to bring people together in a moment of collaboration between the Jets and Sharks as they carry Tony’s body after his death, combining love and tragedy to portray this.