A modern retelling of Shakespeare's classic tragedy Romeo and Juliet. Two rival gangs, the white Jets and Puerto Rican Sharks, battle for turf on the streets of New York City. When former Jet Tony (Richard Beymer) and younger sister of Shark gang leader, Maria (Natalie Wood), meet at a dance, no one can stop their love. But tragedy strikes as tensions escalate and the young couple are faced with the heartbreaking consequences.