MovieChat Forums > Oklahoma! (1956) Discussion > Anyone else sympathize with Jud?

Anyone else sympathize with Jud?

posted 18 years ago by bsonrisa
68 replies | jump to latest

I hate how all the plot descriptions call Jud "evil" and a "villain"--I think he's more of a tragic character. All he wants is a girl to share his lonely life with, and until the end when he gets desperate, he seems like a nice guy. Laurey rejects him only because he's an unsophisticated hired hand--something that's not his fault. What do you guys think?

Of course, this may be because I'm a huge Phantom of the Opera fan, and am seeing a few parallels between the Jud/Laurey/Curly and Phantom/Christine/Raoul love triangles...anyone else notice this?

[–] dini0519 9 years ago

Yes, I do have sympathy for Judd. He needed help. However, he became dangerous so I can understand how the others felt threatened by him. Rod Steiger was a great actor. For those that haven't seen him in Marty or No Way to Treat a Lady, try to do so.

[–] dhmason6155 9 years ago

I'm probably the only one to have this opinion, but IMHO, the character of Jud didn't even belong in this movie! The brooding, self-hating, angry, anti-social loner makes a whole lot more sense in the context of an urban crime thriller or noir, or horror movie.

Oklahoma! is about sun and the outdoors, health, optimism and romance. If they needed a romantic rival for Curley, why not make him another cowboy? Or some type of character that fit better into the universe of this movie.

Real life cowboys often moonlighted as outlaws. How about another cowboy with a shady past?

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