<![CDATA[For Michael Jackson fans.]]>Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — West Side Story

juanmonge69 — 12 years ago(March 28, 2014 11:45 AM)

I wonder how many people are aware that the song "Beat it" on the "Thriller" album is based on this movie. It is the first line in the film. The Jets chase away some kids playing cards-Rif says beat it. Then when Bernardo grabs the basketball. Rif mumbles something and says -beat it.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/topic/179478/for-michael-jackson-fansRSS for NodeWed, 13 May 2026 21:31:33 GMTTue, 28 Apr 2026 06:23:57 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to For Michael Jackson fans. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:09 GMT]]>greenbudgie — 9 years ago(December 30, 2016 02:06 AM)

I can see where this film would have been a great influence on Michael Jackson. That 'gang' choreography on some of his videos is reminiscent of the dancing in this movie.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506311https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506311Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to For Michael Jackson fans. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:08 GMT]]>IMDb User

This message has been deleted.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506310https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506310Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to For Michael Jackson fans. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:07 GMT]]>Piperson — 10 years ago(July 05, 2015 04:17 PM)

When Bernardo dances especially on the rooftop, he does this sort of toreador pose where he pulls his arms over his head and points his whole body.(I'm sure it has a name in Spanish dancing.) It is incredibly graceful and distinctive. I'm pretty sure that Michael Jackson adopted that pose and used it perfectly.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506309https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506309Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to For Michael Jackson fans. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:06 GMT]]>friendoffilm — 11 years ago(March 01, 2015 09:23 AM)

Apparently Michael was such a fan that he watched WSS on a weekly basis according to an online article.
Dini
Yup! That's what I understand, too.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506308https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506308Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to For Michael Jackson fans. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:05 GMT]]>dini0519 — 11 years ago(February 28, 2015 07:08 PM)

Apparently Michael was such a fan that he watched WSS on a weekly basis according to an online article.
Dini

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506307https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506307Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to For Michael Jackson fans. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:04 GMT]]>IFeedPigeons — 11 years ago(May 02, 2014 08:44 PM)

Totally agree.
Officer Krupke, what are we to dooooo?!?
Gee, Officer Krupke KRUP YOU!!!

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506306https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506306Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to For Michael Jackson fans. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:03 GMT]]>friendoffilm — 11 years ago(May 02, 2014 08:29 PM)

The fact that the fighting scenes, both in the Rumble and prior to the rumble in
West Side Story
are
so stylized is one of
West Side Story
's strengths, imho. Ditto for Michael Jackson's
Beat It.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506305https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506305Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to For Michael Jackson fans. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:02 GMT]]>IFeedPigeons — 11 years ago(May 02, 2014 06:30 PM)

I agree, I think both 'fight' scenes are highly stylized and are meant to be. There is no denying that "Beat It" was a homage to the fight scene in "West Side Story." Both scenes are great, the film is great and so is Jackson's video.
Officer Krupke, what are we to dooooo?!?
Gee, Officer Krupke KRUP YOU!!!

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506304https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506304Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to For Michael Jackson fans. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:01 GMT]]>friendoffilm — 11 years ago(April 28, 2014 10:09 AM)

I
have
seen the video, and the fact that it's based on
West Side Story
is quite obvious.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506303https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506303Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to For Michael Jackson fans. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:00 GMT]]>kit-sung — 11 years ago(April 27, 2014 03:00 PM)

Beat It is obviously based on WSS, just look at the video

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506302https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506302Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to For Michael Jackson fans. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:23:59 GMT]]>friendoffilm — 12 years ago(April 02, 2014 10:11 AM)

Bernardo
was
in the basketball scene. He just wasn't viewed until the end of that scene, when he (Bernardo) caught the ball and Riff angrily snapped his fingers at him, snarled "Come on!", and then ordered him to "Beat it!", in an angry, hostile voice.
I
do
believe that Michael Jackson's "Beat It" song was based on a certain scene from
West Side Story
, knowing that he was a big fan of this film.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506301https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506301Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:23:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to For Michael Jackson fans. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:23:58 GMT]]>footreads — 12 years ago(April 02, 2014 05:30 AM)

Bull beep Bernardo was not in the basket ball scene. So I guess you are probably wrong about the inspiration of beat in Jackson's video as well.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506300https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1506300Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:23:58 GMT