60 years of West Side Story: Leonard Bernstein’s masterpiece

Photo credit Niko Tavernise. © 2021 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved

Six decades after Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins’ iconic film hit the screens, director Steven Spielberg's new production of West Side Story is due to be released in cinemas this Friday, and presenter Tom Service is joined by the Hollywood director, the new Maria - Rachel Zegler - as well as arranger David Newman and choreographer Justin Peck, to learn more about their aspirations for this modern-day Romeo and Juliet story.

As the 1961 film celebrates its 60th anniversary, we hear from Jamie Bernstein who shares her memories of her father's involvement in this now classic musical. We eavesdrop on the author, composer and critic Neil Brand, and Tom too, as they re-watch the original movie and reflect on the lyrical, musical and choreographic magic that made West Side Story so powerful.

The tenor José Carreras recollects his role in the historic 1985 recording of West Side Story - the first complete recording of the piece with Bernstein conducting - and the American-British playwright, novelist, and critic Bonnie Greer considers how the social issues and tensions of New York’s barrios in the 1950s and 1960s remain as alive and relevant for contemporary audiences.