
In 1862, young English widow Anna Owens (Irene Dunne) accepts the job of teaching the royal children of Siam. On her arrival in Bangkok, culture clash is immediate. King Mongkut (Sir Rex Harrison) respects Anna for standing up to him, though this appalls his courtiers. In due course, she becomes the King's confidant and diplomatic advisor. Their relationship endures through many trials.... (Full plot summary below)
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In 1862, young English widow Anna Owens (Irene Dunne) accepts the job of teaching the royal children of Siam. On her arrival in Bangkok, culture clash is immediate. King Mongkut (Sir Rex Harrison) respects Anna for standing up to him, though this appalls his courtiers. In due course, she becomes the King's confidant and diplomatic advisor. Their relationship endures through many trials.
Leave your thoughts about Anna and the King of Siam.
| EmanuelLevy.ComEmanuel LevyBefore it became a popular musical with Yul Brynner, Margaret Landon's book about the British Governess was a skillful, well acted melodrama by Rex Harrison (in his Hollywood debut) and Irene Dunne. |
| User ReviewLiam CWow. What a perfect job done of the King and I! |
| User ReviewByron BThe original & my fav rendition of the story |
| User ReviewJeff BI wasn't sure I would be able to handle Rex Harrison as the King of Siam, but he manages to pull it off nicely. Very entertaining version of the classic story and a nice peformance from Irene Dunne as Anna. The sets and costumes are excellent and the score is nice as well. I also really liked Gale Sondergaard as the mother of the King's eldest son. A lot of nice and funny moments between Dunne and Harrison, I especially liked the scene where they write to Lincoln, as well as the dinner with the Europeans. I felt it lost a lot of its charm after Anna's son left the picture, but it's still a very fun movie. |
| User ReviewRichard DAn unjustly ignored film given that it's really still the best version of this story. Harrison's performance as the titular king will probably skirt the bounds of racial discomfort for modern audiences ... but he successfully stays on the side of good taste. It's a testament to what a magnificent actor he truly was. This version is darker than any subsequent versions, and really is a wonderfully effective melodrama. |
| User ReviewKristy VI saw this post war film on TV last year and it's still very watchable and the story doesn't appear very dated at all. |
| User ReviewAdam DA strong willed British woman takes a job in Siam teaching the children of the king. Good-natured, if not a bit naive, story is anchored by strong acting, and beautiful and elaborate sets. |
| User ReviewElena .Rodgers and Hammerstein's most magical film. Captures better than any film I've seen the magic of the exotic, as well as the splendour of another world. |
| User ReviewJames HTHE FIRST, AND CERTAINLY THE BEST VERSION OF THIS STORY. IRENE DUNNE IS PERFECT AS ANNA. REX HARRISON IS ONE OF THE FILMS FEW FLAWS THOUGH, HE IS MISCAST, FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, AS THE SIAMESE KING. BUT, HE DOES GET AN "A" FOR EFFORT. GOOD PRODUCTION, VERY VERY ENJOYABLE. |
| User ReviewMichelle HHaven't seen this one like - I've just seen The King and I with Yul Brynner which was great. |