I was 16, living down south of Windsor and was invited to join some older friends. Turned it down when I was told how far away it was. Many of the acts I had seen or could see at Pine Knob in Michigan. Who knew? It was before Woodstock became WOODSTOCK! Asked the guys their impressions when they came back and they said it sucked. They were too far away and the weather was shitty.
All I know about it is the movie, which is a highlight film. I could definitely see the POV of your friends. Place is over crowded and unprepared and you are a mile away from stage then it rains .
A lot of bands turned Woodstock down thinking it was a bad idea. Some bands refused to be filmed unless they were paid so they never got into the movie as people were getting in for free and the organizers were broke and no one was getting paid so some bands performed not knowing if they would get paid while others refused.
Whatever band was ready went on. It was chaos and the film is so edited it does not truely represent the experience of being there which could easily mean being wet just wanting to go home but you can't because the freeway is a parking lot so you are stuck for three days eating army slop and putting up with slobs and stoners and waiting in line for the smelly outhouse wishing you never came.
I suspect the beauty of Woodstock is generated hype.
I would go if transported back in time but when I think of those car lineups just to sleep in the mud....