Anna and the King of Siam
Drama • Romance
Theatrical Release (US)
Overview:
In 1862, a young Englishwoman becomes royal tutor in Siam and befriends the King.
Director:
John Cromwell
Status:
Released
Language:
English
Buget:
$0.00
Revenue:
Key words:
Cast
Irene Dunne
~ as ~
Anna Owens
Rex Harrison
King Mongkut
Linda Darnell
Tuptim
Lee J. Cobb
Kralahome
Gale Sondergaard
Lady Thiang
Mikhail Rasumny
Alak
Dennis Hoey
Sir Edward
Tito Renaldo
Prince Chulalongkorn (as a boy)
Richard Lyon
Louis Owens
John Abbott
Phya Phrom
CinemaSerf
Written 3 year(s) ago
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This is quite an under-rated gem of a film; depicting a far grittier and more authentic interpretation of the diary of Anna Leonowens than was reflected in the altogether lighter, more joyous "King and I". Rex Harrison rather woodenly portrays King Mongkut as he works to bring 19th century Siam into the modern world; hoping to improve the lives of his people and at the same time ensuring the continued independence of his nation from the marauding colonial powers at large at the time. Irene Dunne captures wonderfully the stoic determination of the widowed Anna trying to bring her son up as a single parent in a time when that simply wasn't done. Their story isn't one of sentimental love, but of ultimately a trust and inter-reliance that endured. Lee J. Cobb adds value as the Prime Minister and Bernard Hermann's authenticly-sounding score supports John Cromwell's able and quite poignant direction.