Anna and the King of Siam

Unrated

8/11/19462h 8m

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:

$0.00

Key words:

widow
bangkok, thailand
thailand
palace
harem
biography
king
governess
english teacher
19th century
siam

Cast

Irene Dunne

~ as ~

Anna Owens

Rex Harrison

~ as ~

King Mongkut

Linda Darnell

~ as ~

Tuptim

Lee J. Cobb

~ as ~

Kralahome

Gale Sondergaard

~ as ~

Lady Thiang

Mikhail Rasumny

~ as ~

Alak

Dennis Hoey

~ as ~

Sir Edward

Tito Renaldo

~ as ~

Prince Chulalongkorn (as a boy)

Richard Lyon

~ as ~

Louis Owens

John Abbott

~ as ~

Phya Phrom

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

CinemaSerf
Written 3 year(s) ago
7
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.