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As part of BFI Shakespeare on FILM - WEST SIDE STORY (A) 1961 Directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise

West Side Story is the multiple award-winning adaptation of the classic Shakespeare tragedy, "Romeo and Juliet".  The feuding families become two warring New York City gangs:- the white Jets led by Riff and the Puerto Rican Sharks, led by Bernardo. Their hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of understanding. But when Riff's best friend (and former Jet) Tony and Bernardo's younger sister Maria meet at a dance, no one can do anything to stop their love. Maria and Tony begin meeting in secret, planning to run away. Then the Sharks and Jets plan a rumble under the highway - whoever wins gains control of the streets. Maria sends Tony to stop it, hoping it can end the violence. It goes terribly wrong, and before the lovers know what's happened, tragedy strikes and doesn't stop until the climactic and heartbreaking ending.