During my most recent viewing of this film, for the first time, I saw Jud as a character with low self esteem. He is definitely "tragic", as you describe him. Jud is unloved, feels unappreciated. In the original Oklahoma!, there was a song sung by Jud, while alone, in the smokehouse. The title was mentioned in the DVD commentary and has been forgotten by me. It expresses his feelings of loneliness.
The scene where Curly meets Jud in the smokehouse was not in the stage show. But it was written into the movie because Curly is presented as the heroic, likeable love interest for Laurie. He is in contrast to the dark, brooding, threatening Jud. Curly is somewhat brave too, invading Jud's space while the latter has a gun and needling him during the darkly humorous "Poor Jud is Dead".
He knows Jud wants Laurie, and leaves no doubt there that he is setting himself up as Jud's rival for her. That begins a tension, that sets the stage for later.
Jud is talking about himself as he describes the burning of the neighbors' farmhouse. By not admitting it, but with the closeup showing his repressed anger
and feelings of being spurned, he gives a suspense to the scene.
His true character is revealed in the first dramatic climax, when he assaults Laurie on the way to the party. One might want to shout to him why he acts the way he does if he wants to be accepted. However, as Curly and Laurie are being married in Aunt Eller's home, he looks through the window at the happy gathering, a total outcast. That's when I felt sorry for him.
It is significant that we first see Jud under a shadow, with his back to the camera. He is the only character who makes a first appearance that way.
reply
share