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The teeming slums of Manhattan's upper West Side are filled with racial tensions that frequently erupt in open warfare between the restless, embittered teenage members of rival gangs.  Newly arrived in this violent atmosphere is Maria, a young Puerto Rican girl whose brother, Bernardo, is the leader of a street gang called the Sharks.

Despite the warnings of Anita, Bernardo's fiery girlfriend, Maria falls in love with a young Polish boy, Tony, who belongs to the Jets, the hated enemies of the Sharks.  Their love affair fans the enmity between the two gangs and eventually leads to a showdown "rumble."

Prodded by Maria, Tony tries to stop the bloodshed but is unsuccessful, and the Jets' leader, Riff, is stabbed to death by Bernardo.  Suddenly overcome by his passions, Tony grabs a blade and fatally stabs Bernardo.

In desperation, Tony runs to Maria, begs her forgiveness, and pleads with her to go away with him.  But before they can escape, Tony is cornered in a neighborhood playground and killed by one of the Sharks.  As Maria hysterically sobs over her dead lover, the remaining members of the two gangs wander onto the playground.  The incredible waste of the triple tragedy deeply affects both sides, and they join together in carrying the dead Tony from the playground.