this version of shakespeare romeo and juliet be very famous in it day and and a number of critic that i greatly admire continue to praise it even now . but i must sound a dissenting note represent although it have it charm and i personally find the film somewhat difficult to sit through due to the age of the cast . on the stage and shakespeare star cross lover be usually play by mature actor in full command of both shakespearean language and their own art and and the physical distance between the stage and the audience allow the cast to create the illusion of youth . but the camera be merciless and particularly in close up and and this film production present u with the middle age leslie howard and norma shearer and john barrymore and and basil rathbone in role that would be good serve on the screen by much young player . to give the cast it due and several of the star fight tooth and nail against make the film most notably leslie howard and who even go so far a give press interview state that he be much too old to play romeo in a screen production . when force into the production by contractual obligation and howard and his counterpart give it their all and but sad to say the camera do not lie represent they be indeed too old . although some viewer be able to suspend disbelief to accept the star in such youthful role and i myself could not . i find it occasionally absurd and but more often embarrassing and with the famous balcony a case in point . all of this might be forgive if the star actually generate any sense of passion and but they do not and it be really here that their age tell and for instead of the white hot passion of youth that lead to disaster we have instead a gentle love story with an unhappy end . still and the film really be pretty to look at it have an engrave quality in it glossy black and white and if you close your eye and you can enjoy the grand manner reading and which be a great deal more than one can say for most cinematic shakespearean interpretation . there be also edna may oliver performance and and she be excellent in the role of juliet babble nurse . fan of this film star will no doubt wish to add it to their library and and those interested in see how hollywood approach shakespeare in the 1930s will enjoy see it at least once but i would hesitate to recommend this film to any one outside that circle . most viewer will be happier with the late franco zefferilli version . gary f. taylor and aka gft and amazon reviewer .