Sameer Callahan
It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.
Leoni Haney
Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.
Cristal
The movie really just wants to entertain people.
Allissa
.Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.
junkmail-48566
Written originally as a stage musical for their friend Gertrude Lawrence, "The King & I" originally had it's emphasis on the "I," being adapted from Margaret Landon's documentary novel, "Anna & the King of Siam." When 20th Century-Fox released the film version in 1956, the emphasis had switched to "The King" in the title, as Yul Brynner was the only member of the Broadway cast to portray the same role in the film. Deborah Kerr was an excellent choice to play Anna, although hers, Rita Moreno's and Carlos Rivas' voices were all dubbed (Kerr's by Marni Nixon). The Fox CinemaScope 55 process (only used on this film and "Carousel," made the same year) provides a wonderful widescreen experience, however the use of DeLuxe color instead of a better color process seems to have cast a blue pallor over the screen images as the negative has aged. While this could possibly be corrected electronically using today's technology, recent home video releases have not made use of it. The acting in this classic musical is terrific, and the only gripe anyone would have with the film is that "Small House of Uncle Thomas" runs too long and should have been edited instead of sacrificing three musical selections from the stage version: "My Lord and Master" by Tuptim, "I Have Dreamed" by Tuptim and Lun Tha, and "Shall I Tell You What I Think of You" by Anna. All three appear on the soundtrack album, but not in the film itself, so the film is docked two stars for the omissions. Visually, Fox spared no expense with costume and set design and construction. Anna's hoop skirts were the fashion of the period in the U.K., and with Siam (now Thailand) being an equatorial territory, the Siamese royal characters were dressed appropriately. The palace set in Bangkok was opulent, making a viewer wonder if Siamese royalty was as affluent as 20th Century-Fox, and certainly no stage production on Broadway or anywhere else could have scenery such as that which Fox used in this production. The songs are great, the acting spot-on, and the only flaws in the film were mentioned above. Even if musicals aren't your thing, "The King & I" (correct title, with ampersand) is worth seeing. See this one BEFORE seeing "The Sound of Music," as from a cinematic perspective, this studio-bound film is the better one.
ktkoelzer06
My god this is a terrible movie! I don't understand why it gets good reviews. I finally sat down and watched the whole thing and I can tell you I will never be watching it again. Is there supposed to be chemistry between the two main characters? Because I don't feel it! How would someone like Anna ever have feelings for the king? It's such a depressing movie. Tuptim's lover even dies and so what, she goes on living a miserable life? I didn't even think the musical part of this movie was good. I like 'Getting to Know You', but the rest of it wasn't impressive. I just can't believe this goes down in history as a 'fairy tale/love story'. YUCK!
shakercoola
An arrogant, absolute monarch is brought down a peg or two by an English teacher in this Hollywood studio version of the story of the rule of King Mongkut over 19th century Siam. The art direction is lavish, staged colourfully, and with beautiful costume design. There are heartwarming scenes with the King's children even if the narrative is a little overtheatrical, and questionable for modern day audiences. As a musical it works because it is sequence driven and told in set pieces of meaningful to-the-point drama.
It's overlong and over produced, and as popular as the songs are they are slightly less memorable as a Hollywood musical, though the musical score is uplifting. Yul Brynner is in majestic Oscar winning form having practised the role on stage for years and Deborah Kerr is perfectly cast to charmingly subvert him.
SnoopyStyle
It's 1862 Siam. Anna Leonowens (Deborah Kerr) and her son Louis arrive in Bangkok. She's a strong-willed English lady who lost her husband. She's been hired to teach English to the children of King Mongkut (Yul Brynner). Prince Chulalongkorn is the oldest of the students. Kralahome is the Prime Minister. Tuptim (Rita Moreno) is a gift to the King from Burma although she's in love with Lun Tha. Lady Thiang is the head wife. The King is looking to modernize. Kralahome warns him of encroaching English imperialism. England sends Ambassador John Hay and his aide Sir Edward Ramsay who turns out to be Anna's former love.The colorful set designs and costumes are amazingly beautiful. They are grand and really pops on the screen. There are some classic songs like 'Getting to Know You'. This is a big lavish production. Yul Brynner is utterly memorable although his singing is nothing to write home about. He would win the Oscar along with the music, costumes, and set designs.
