The story of the romance between the King of Siam and widowed British schoolteacher, Anna Leonowens, during the 1860s.The story of the romance between the King of Siam and widowed British schoolteacher, Anna Leonowens, during the 1860s.The story of the romance between the King of Siam and widowed British schoolteacher, Anna Leonowens, during the 1860s.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 14 nominations total
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOn the French audio track on the DVD, Jodie Foster dubs her own character's voice.
- GoofsThe Thai language used between the King and his prime minister is not royal Thai language, but everyday Thai language. Everyday Thai language is never used to speak to a member of the royal family, especially the King.
- Quotes
King Mongkut: [to Anna] When a woman who has much to say says nothing, her silence can be deafening.
- SoundtracksJade Cong
Written by Simon Rowland-Jones
Courtesy of Zomba/Firstcom/Chappell Music
Featured review
Visual beauty, and a very strong film on the whole
The story is well known and has been told many times. Topping the film adaptations competition is the 1956 musical 'The King and I', among my favourite film musicals.
'Anna and the King' is around the same level as 1946's 'Anna and the King of Siam' in terms of rating, and is much better than the limp 1999 animated version of 'The King and I', which saw the musical get the butcher's treatment, and the execrable obscure low-budget animated version from Burbank Animation Studios.
It does go on a little longer than needed, consequently some parts do drag a little, while the subplot with the rebel general is on the implausible side and doesn't give the amount of tension it had potential to do.
On the other hand, 'Anna and the King' is stunning to look at with colourful, sumptuous costumes and the exquisite art direction rightfully garnering Oscar nominations, aided by cinematography of a sweeping beauty. George Fenton's music score is rousing, understated and uplifting, and the theme song a nice fit.
Further good things are a story that has a great mix of epic, poignant drama, dignified and sometimes tense romance and intriguing, if inaccurate, history. The conflicts are somewhat complicated initially but dealt with compellingly without making the film unfocused. The script is thought-provoking, and Andy Tennant (fresh from the previous year's delightful 'Ever After: A Cinderella Story', still a personal favourite) directs assuredly.
Jodie Foster, apart from occasional tentative performance, gives a performance of great dignity and authoritative strength with an immaculate accent. Chow-Yun Fat's performance as the King is nothing short of superb, a portrayal of many nuances and sweet-natured subtlety. All the cast do well, including a pre-'Harry Potter' Tom Felton.
On the whole, a very strong film with a few faults. 8/10 Bethany Cox
'Anna and the King' is around the same level as 1946's 'Anna and the King of Siam' in terms of rating, and is much better than the limp 1999 animated version of 'The King and I', which saw the musical get the butcher's treatment, and the execrable obscure low-budget animated version from Burbank Animation Studios.
It does go on a little longer than needed, consequently some parts do drag a little, while the subplot with the rebel general is on the implausible side and doesn't give the amount of tension it had potential to do.
On the other hand, 'Anna and the King' is stunning to look at with colourful, sumptuous costumes and the exquisite art direction rightfully garnering Oscar nominations, aided by cinematography of a sweeping beauty. George Fenton's music score is rousing, understated and uplifting, and the theme song a nice fit.
Further good things are a story that has a great mix of epic, poignant drama, dignified and sometimes tense romance and intriguing, if inaccurate, history. The conflicts are somewhat complicated initially but dealt with compellingly without making the film unfocused. The script is thought-provoking, and Andy Tennant (fresh from the previous year's delightful 'Ever After: A Cinderella Story', still a personal favourite) directs assuredly.
Jodie Foster, apart from occasional tentative performance, gives a performance of great dignity and authoritative strength with an immaculate accent. Chow-Yun Fat's performance as the King is nothing short of superb, a portrayal of many nuances and sweet-natured subtlety. All the cast do well, including a pre-'Harry Potter' Tom Felton.
On the whole, a very strong film with a few faults. 8/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•111
- TheLittleSongbird
- Nov 27, 2016
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $92,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $39,263,420
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $5,223,416
- Dec 19, 1999
- Gross worldwide
- $113,996,937
- Runtime2 hours 28 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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