i would strongly recommend this film for any musical fan whose be die to see a musical make a faithful transition from stage to screen . sure it long and but it length be a testimony to how true to the original musical script the film be be . the set and cast really make sweet apple and ohio the place to be . fosse protege anne reinking also do a splendid job with choreography give the dance a nice small town and period feel . the casting at a glance may look strange to some but they really be qute marvelous ( read annonymous comment on jason alexander performance make me sick ) . in fact and his perforamnce literally steal the show . a albert and he mix his own unique blend of manic nervousness with dick van dyke esque charm to create a new and improved albert . the fact that he can dance and sing like nobody business doeesn not hurt either . george wendt be another stand out and who improve upon paul lynde take on harry mcaffe by make him less manic and more down to earth and strict . his whole character and body language scream over my dead body . marc kudisch take the elvis aspect of conrad birdie to new height with his subtle insertion of a thank you very much in honestly sincere . his physicality though harkens back more to young elvis then the bloat and stubly conrad of the original film . the fact be that this movie differ so greatly from the original film ( which add drawn in happpy face and turtle on speed and the russian ballet . ) what do any of taht have to do with bye and bye birdie and i wonder . the only possible advantage the original version have over this one be ann margret . otherwise the update be well in every possible way . where the old version cut many song and increase dance break nwhere there be no need for them ( and for all intent and purpose end the movie in the middle of the play ) and the new version have restore the original music score and have add some great new stuff a well ( a giant step be the standout in that category ) . we know live in try time but if you want to get your mind off your trouble and put on a happy face then this be one worth check out .