Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread — Page 49

Bernardo and Maria:







The taunting of Anita:

My copy was delivered a couple of hours ago.

I've spent most of the afternoon just staring in awe at the photos included in the book. I have to say I am deeply impressed with the work that went into this.

I've said it before. This isn't just a "remake" this is a re-imagining, a re-conception -Tony Kushner has given each and every character a back story, and those backstories are published in this book and make for a fascinating read and they've given so much depth to these characters that we have grown to know and love that it's almost like meeting them again - - - for the first time - - - if that makes any sense.

The book begins with the show's conception, the subsequent 1961 film adaptation, and this new version.

Bouzereau conducted extensive interviews with everyone involved in every aspect of the film. The book is broken down by musical numbers giving extensive background behind the conception of each including "sound bites" from the cast members who participated in each.

The song order hues closely to the order they were performed in the original Broadway production. The "Prologue" has been extended to accommodate the visuals shot for the film and the "Dance at the Gym", especially the "Mambo" section is broken down so that you get a sense of what was trying to be accomplished visually. "I Feel Pretty" does take place AFTER the rumble which is going to lend an undercurrent of sadness watching it being performed as "Maria" has absolutely no idea that Tony was not only was unsuccessful in stopping the rumble but that he has killed her brother.

Speaking of the rumble, judging from the photos included in the book this sequence looks BRUTAL.

The whole film has an authentic grit in the depiction of the streets and the slums of 1957 New York City that, in my opinion, the 1961 film failed to depict as only the "Prologue" was shot in NYC and the rest on soundstages.

For Spielberg and Kushner to incorporate at its core the destruction of San Juan Hill and how these two gangs were fighting over turf that was not only disappearing before their eyes but being taken away from them by outside forces is just nothing short of brilliant!

This is going to be a "West Side Story" like none other.

dramamama611 said: "Degrassi - check your Amazon order page - mine is scheduled for today delivery, too. (Of course, the state of all delivery services these days makes me less optimistic!)"

It's like the universe knows when I'm excited about something and then doesn't deliver. Story of my week (and highkey life)! I contacted Amazon and their excuse was since the book was published today, it would be a while before I got it. I told them I knew people (you guys) who preordered and they are getting their copies today, but the associate I was messaging still insisted that I wouldn't get it until November 23 or 24th. So annoying. Glad you guys got your copies though!! Jealous but happy for y'all. Have fun reading for me! <3

degrassifan said: "Official credits for the movie, which includes final cast list and song list.


West Side Story full official end credits

"

I could be way off base here, but my first thought was how Jamie Bernstein has mentioned before (jokingly) that it never made sense when Tony shouts "Maria" in the Puerto Rican neighborhood that half the windows didn't open with different women named Maria. Perhaps they took that as inspiration for a humorous moment? I imagine if it was flashbacks and flash forwards, they would be billed as "Old Maria" and "Young Maria" instead of "Old Lady Maria" and "Young Girl Maria" which, to me, imply that they are different people. I could be totally wrong, though, this is just some very nitpicky speculation.

They give Tony a backstory with Graziella

Also, a major change was made for the finale. Maria does not sing a verse from the song "Somewhere" to a dying Tony.

She does sing a verse from an entirely different song . . . and it makes perfect sense and I feel a much better choice!

Musical Master said: "SpiritualGangster said: "You are going to love this book Musical Master and what they've done with the musical numbers and the film overall. The book gives you just enough of a taste as to not spoil it before the film is actually released."

I love making of books, the screenwriter in me gets sucked into them so easily and they are a great read. Also it's interesting that Maria sings a different verse of a song as Tony is dying, I wonder if it's "Tonight" or "One Hand, One Heart" because either of them could work.

All of this is so fascinating that it makes me wonder if this sort of method could work for movie musical adaptations that didn't work the first time, like Camelot per say. I'd love to see a new film version that does something different and special but also keeping the emotional beats of the story and time period which is what this West Side Story is doing."

Check your PMs

There was a screening at the Koch Theater at Lincoln Center today. The cast saw the film

Rachel Zegler tweeted that she saw the film and if you see a picture she took, we get a glimpse of the title card which I can say is very much on brand for a Spielberg film.

Okay after that my excitement is through the roof.

Those original orchestrations being re recorded so lushly and crisply UGH

I hope they did what they did with Into the Woods and release an instrumental album too.



Which btw if you haven't listened to the Into the Woods instrumental album that happened with the film release oh my god you're missing out. Jonathan Tunick chef's kiss.

Those instrumentals heard in the featurette are amazing! And I agree with the poster that there should be an instrumental version of the soundtrack just like the one Into The Woods got. Honestly I would be happy to get the soundtrack in general.