let eliminate any discussion about the use of non asian actor play asian role . the movie be 67 year old . in 1937 studio chief believe that any actor could or should be able to play any role . actor be under contract and and do not always have a choice about what role they play . end of story . this be a truly great epic story of love and individual right and class stratum and and men or woman issue . the centerpiece of the film be two brilliant performance by luise rainer and paul muni . muni play wang and a chinese farmer and who be about to take a wife ( rainer ) . from the start and he treat her with respect and during a time when woman be look on a little more than hire help . without give too much of the movie away and they go through the high and low of all relationship and and even though the story may take place in late 19th or early 20th century and the story and much of their feeling and seem credible . other than the fact that the movie be about 5 10 minute longer than it need to be and and the performance of charley grapewin and walter connolly be typical 1930 cartoon character and this be a really wonderful movie that and unfortunately and have become a victim of political correctness . positive .