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The King and I (1956)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
29 June 1956 (USA) moreTagline:
More Than You've Ever Seen On The Screen! morePlot:
Musical about a widow who accepts a job as a live-in governess of the King of Siam's children. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Won 5 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 7 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(8 articles)
The King And I Comes To Lyric Stage, Begins 6/19 (From BroadwayWorld.com. 19 June 2009, 12:15 AM, PDT)
'Lost' star cast in musical 'King And I'
(From digitalspy. 12 December 2008, 8:52 AM, PST)
User Comments:
A wonderful musical that will be loved and remembered forever! moreCast
(Complete credited cast)| Deborah Kerr | ... | Anna Leonowens | |
| Yul Brynner | ... | King Mongkut of Siam | |
| Rita Moreno | ... | Tuptim | |
| Martin Benson | ... | Kralahome | |
| Terry Saunders | ... | Lady Thiang | |
| Rex Thompson | ... | Louis Leonowens | |
| Carlos Rivas | ... | Lun Tha | |
| Patrick Adiarte | ... | Prince Chulalongkorn | |
| Alan Mowbray | ... | Sir John Hay | |
| Geoffrey Toone | ... | Sir Edward Ramsay |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
133 minCountry:
USAColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.55 : 1 moreCertification:
Iceland:L | New Zealand:G | USA:G (certificate #17864) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Canada:G | Chile:TE | Finland:K-8 | Norway:7 | Peru:PT | Thailand:(Banned) | UK:UFun Stuff
Goofs:
Continuity: The presence of the children when the King is praying for the success of his banquet. moreSoundtrack:
Hello,Young Lovers moreFAQ
Chapter Headings, an unofficial version:Chapter Headings, another unofficial version:
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| Anna and the King | Ben-Hur | The Sound of Music | The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | Anna and the King of Siam |
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In the 1860's Mrs Anna Owens was appointed by the King of Siam as the teacher of his children. He wanted to give them (and himself) a "modern" education, to impress visiting dignitaries with how up-to-date he was, so that they would accept him as a world leader, like them. He thought it would be a simple communication of knowledge and understanding, like someone learning a new set of jargon.
This naive and misguided motive, seeking to impress without really wanting modernity, produced a clash of cultures. Fortunately for all of us (and especially for the film industry) Anna kept a scrupulous and detailed diary of the whole affair. It was made into a film starring Rex Harrison, which was rather more historically accurate than this musical version, and was a very appealing film in many ways.
This film, however, has become legendary. Although it is based on the principle "Never let historical facts get in the way of a great musical", that doesn't matter at all, because it is a truly great and deeply moving romantic musical film. For example, has there ever been a more loving love-song than "Something Wonderful", which the king's number one wife sings in explanation of her devotion to him? I seriously doubt it! It's one of the best-written songs of all time, and could only have been written by someone who truly understood love!
The simple charm and joyful exuberance of "Getting to Know You", the unforgettable "Hello Young Lovers" which is a message of hope and encouragement to all those who love under difficult circumstances, "Whistle a Happy Tune" which helps when we are frightened and alone, and all the other songs have become famous.
Yul Brynner, who had been a relatively unknown bit-part actor with hair, shaved his head and gave a towering performance for the part, then spent the rest of his life basking in the glory of that one role! Deborah Kerr, who had given so many exquisite performances in so many films, also rose to the occasion in this one. Rita Moreno, who was a pin-up girl as well as one of the world's greatest actresses, is beautiful as the runaway slave.
It's a film that everyone must see at least once, especially now that they've put out a restored version. I've given it 10 out of ten.