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Most represented · 6+ films

More recurring directors · 3–5 films54

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Master Rank balances Greatness, Engagement, and Ease. Sort by Greatness for the artistic-canon view.

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View West Side Story film page

Poster artwork for West Side Story — Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List

Spoiler-free premise

Two young people fall in love across the rivalry between street gangs in New York City.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

On Manhattan's West Side, former Jets leader Tony falls in love with Maria, sister of Sharks leader Bernardo. Their relationship begins as the rival gangs prepare a rumble, placing private hope inside escalating territorial hostility.

Why it belongs

In West Side Story, Robbins and Wise translate street conflict into athletic choreography, color, architecture, and Bernstein and Sondheim's emotionally meticulous score.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

Jerome Robbins's choreography positions fences, rooftops, playgrounds, and streets as charged social space, while color-coded gangs, dynamic widescreen framing, and Bernstein and Sondheim's songs let romance and violence inhabit the same physical rhythms.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20

Academy Awards10 wins1962 · official ceremony record ↗

Best Motion Picture1962 · Robert Wise, Producerofficial ceremony record ↗Directing1962 · Robert Wise, Jerome Robbinsofficial ceremony record ↗Actor in a Supporting Role1962 · George Chakirisofficial ceremony record ↗Actress in a Supporting Role1962 · Rita Morenoofficial ceremony record ↗

Plus 6 additional wins

Golden Globes3 wins1962 · official film record ↗

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture1962 · George Chakirisofficial film record ↗Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture1962 · Rita Morenoofficial film record ↗

Plus 1 additional win

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

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Film Club

Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.

Institutional reference ranks

Sight & Sound—IMDb Top 250—AFI 10051

Reference metadata only · not part of the 40/40/20 score

Great Cinema Master List scores

Greatness9.1

Engagement9.2

Ease8.8

English · Not Rated
Narrative Feature
Mood: Tense & Absorbing