Romeo And Juliet Vs West Side Story

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West Side Story is a film that came out in 1961 and is an adaptation of the 1957 Broadway musical. It was choreographed and directed by Jerome Robbins. West Side Story is inspired by Romeo and Juliet and is a modern version of the play that was written by William Shakespeare. West Side Story is a romantic musical drama that took place in New York City and focuses on the prejudice and rivalries between two different ethnic gangs, the Jets who are Americans and the Sharks from Puerto Rico. In the movie, authority rests in the hand of the Lieutenant Shrank and police officer Krupke. In the two scenes depicted below, they are able to control and avoid both gangs from killing each other. Yet, the power is shared between both gangs. Both gangs continuously …show more content…
The transition between the dance movement to the first physical contact can be observed when the Sharks jump over the lonely Baby John. The final fight definitely helps one understand how serious the rivalry is between the two gangs. The Sharks and the Jets clearly throw and kick each other. Those brutal movements were not as evident earlier on. Another example that underlines the value that both gang put on territory is when we can see the gang’s name painted on the walls in the street. When Lieutenant Shrank and police officer Krupke intervene to stop the fight, one can clearly see how they are respected by both gangs. Because the dancers/characters of this play are young adults, it shows that there is still a cultural diversity present within American youth, which is very similar to the the black segregation during the 1950’s. This reality and thirst for power from the two gangs can also be witnessed at the 32nd minute of the movie. The famous scene is called “The Dance at the Gym”. The dance function is to present the conflict between the Jets and the Sharks as well as showing in whose hands authority and power rest. At the start of the scene, the first difference that suggest an

Romeo And Juliet Vs. West Side Story

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Romeo And Juliet Vs West Side Story

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