I love the music. The story is great. The tension between the farmers and the cowboys is presented well. Poor Judd is about as threatening as can be. Everything about the play is excellent; it's why it has stood the test of time. Nevertheless, I wish it were about a half hour shorter. There are some things that are endless (especially the famous dream sequence). These could have been choreographed with more concision and kept the viewer involved. There are also times when it get so dark that it falls away form the comedic nature that really carries things. I'm not so sure why Rogers and Hammerstein made Judd so vicious. Maybe he has to be. His presence is almost terroristic. It may have been better to make him a possible rival. He's bona fide psychotic, so he is like a snake or some other poisonous creature. Also, the ending always leaves me cold. It's so abrupt and anticlimactic. That aside, there are incredible songs, wonderful dance sequences, and very good acting. Don't miss this if you've never seen it.
