WEST SIDE STORY 50th Anniversary Blu Ray Set For 11/15 Release

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/10/11 at 8:54am

The details were finally announced and the set looks fantastic! Details from digitalbits.com :


You'll be able to buy the film as a 4-Disc Limited Edition Gift Set (which includes the 2-Disc Collector's Edition Blu-ray, a DVD, CD and swag), as well as the 2-Disc Collector's Edition Blu-ray by itself (SRP $49.99 and $19.99). The film has been extensively restored and will feature a new 7.1 DTS-HD audio mix. Disc-based extras will include the all-new, multi-part Pow! The Dances of West Side Story documentary (includes Prologue, Dance at the Gym, Tony and Maria's Cha Cha, America, The Rumble, Maria's Roof Dance and Cool), the all-new A Place for Us: West Side Story's Legacy documentary (includes Creation and Innovation and A Timeless Vision), song-specific commentary by lyricist Stephen Sondheim, a Music Machine song-access option, the West Side Memories featurette, a Storyboard to Film Comparison Montage and 4 theatrical trailers for the film. Additional content in the Gift Set will include a tribute CD (which includes covers by Julie Andrews), a 40-page collector's photo book, the original animated title sequence and postcard one-sheet reproductions. Here's what the set will look like...

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/10/11 at 10:57am

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/10/11 at 2:06pm

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/10/11 at 2:16pm

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/10/11 at 2:27pm

Hahaha! I was actually looking for a Beta videocassette photo. Grazie!

To believe I have this film is every possible incarnation: Beta, VHS, Criterion Collection Laserdisc Box Set, 1st DVD release and Special Collector's Edition Box Set DVD.

By the way, the extras on the Criterion Collection Laserdisc Box Set are insane and have YET to appear on any other release of the film. The copies of Jerome Robbins' and Robert Wise's personal notes on casting are priceless, as are their comments of the actors considered... including Chita Rivera. Oh, boy!

[charlesjguiteau]

Posted: 7/10/11 at 3:33pm

Gotta say the HD restoration they used last night at the Hollywood Bowl was gorgeous! What a revelation to see the blood reds and greens and tourquoises that were there all along in the original photography of the film. Hearing the live orchestra perform the score was swell, but after awhile you'd forget they were there expending all the blood and sweat playing live and just lose yourself in the movie.

Truly one of the greats.

(First saw the movie onscreen when it came out in '62-- I must have been six. Still remember Mummy trying to explain to me what "Krup You" meant.)

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 7/10/11 at 4:57pm

"The copies of Jerome Robbins' and Robert Wise's personal notes on casting are priceless, as are their comments of the actors considered..."

Anything on Bobby Darin? :P

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/10/11 at 5:07pm

I'm sure there is but its been years since I've watched those extras on that laserdisc. They have all of Robbins' and Wise's hand-written notes and they list ALL of the people being considered for each role with little remarks next to the names, etc. I do remember they put comments like "question about dancing" and "question about singing" for a few roles. It also states that Chita Rivera was flown to Los Angeles to screen-test while she was doing the out-of-town tryout of BYE BYE BIRDIE. She apparently wasn't photogenic enough for the big screen. Rita Moreno had the "question about dancing" remark next to her name.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/10/11 at 8:06pm

I remember reading those laser disc notes. I was amazed they included them (and haven't since). The biggest issue with Chita was that she read "too old" on the screen. They also had the "too old?" note next to Rita. She was 30 when she played the part, and they were worried that she looked it.

I do remember seeing notes on Bobby Darin and Warren Beatty and Bonnie Franklin (who was tested for Anybodys). Don't remember what they said though.

They did talk all about how they had seen the dailies for "Splendor in the Grass," hoping to find that Warren Beatty would be right for Tony, and instead they found their Maria when they saw Natalie Wood. No one had thought of her for the part until then.

As for this new HD transfer, I've heard it looks and sounds fantastic from several people. Looking forward to seeing it!

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/10/11 at 8:06pm

Double post. BWW is really glitchy today!

Updated On: 7/10/11 at 08:06 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/10/11 at 8:18pm

AT LONG LAST!!!

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/10/11 at 10:28pm

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/11/11 at 11:12am

LOL That poster is horrendous!

If it were for Citizen Kane, it would say "Rosebud is a sled."

Great advertising! I'm assuming this was a lame attempt at getting Natalie Wood some awards attention? Or is it just a fake, since it's that bad?

She did get an Oscar nomination that year for Best Actress, but it was for Splendor In the Grass --- the movie that actually got her the role of Maria in WSS, when Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins attended a private screening of the dailies. They were considering Warren Beatty as Tony, and instead they found their Maria and cast Natalie.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/11/11 at 11:27am

That poster is AMAZING!!! It looks like it's saying her brother is her lover. It's like a 60s exploitation film! Lol

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/11/11 at 11:40am

What?!?

It's a one-two-three statement:

1) One bullet for the brother.
2) One for the lover.
3) How many are left?


Your smutty mind is putting one and two together as the same thing. LOL

I just see it as a clunky poster with clunky copy that ruins the ending of the movie.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/11/11 at 1:26pm

It's a fake. I had way too much time on my hands yesterday! LMFPRAO!!

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/11/11 at 1:40pm

*removes foot from mouth*

Well, I hit you with both barrels, didn't I?

At least I like others you've done!

Updated On: 7/11/11 at 01:40 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/11/11 at 1:57pm

Quite alright Besty. I did it as a joke. No offense taken.
Updated On: 7/11/11 at 01:57 PM

[degrassifan]

Posted: 7/11/11 at 10:23pm

You know, if West Side Story was released now in 2011, that would probably be the poster.