The King and I

G

Released Jun 29, 1956

2 hr. 13 min.

Musical

List

93%

27 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In this film adaptation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, widowed Welsh mother Anna Loenowens (Deborah Kerr) becomes a governess and English tutor to the wives and many children of the stubborn King Mongkut of Siam (Yul Brynner). Anna and the king have a clash of personalities as she works to teach the royal family about the English language, customs and etiquette, and rushes to prepare a party for a group of European diplomats who must change their opinions about the king.

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Ersan Kaan E

Vesaire, vesaire, vesaire... "Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera!"

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/03/23

Full Review

Mike P

Epic musical about the love/hate relationship between Anna Leonowens; who was the hired teacher and consul for King Mongkut of Siam; and the king himself; in the 1960s at the tale end of his reign. The play is a musicalization and dramatization of Leonowens' own published journals; based on her own real-life experiences as a member of King Mongkut's court in the 1860s. Leonowens was hired to teach Mongkut's many children, (he famously had 39 sons, 43 daughters and 36 wives). She was also brought in because Mongkut had a stated desire to "modernize" his court; and bring a calming British influence into his own regime; (to fight the prevailing notion that he was a "barbarian" amongst Westerners). The musical follows Anna's numerous ongoing interactions and consultations with the king for the decade she was in Siam; their discussions about culture; their debates about human rights and priorities and customs; their fights about her living situation and the various power plays that went on between them; as well as the unstated love affair that was going on between them... Both Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner are absolutely brilliant in these performances; particularly Brynner, who won an Oscar for his performance. But fiesty Kerr is no slouch either and she proves his perfect foil in this romance/battle of the wits. Is the play hackneyed with stereotype and racist colonial tropes?.... Yes! Is it entertaining, brilliantly acted; and very moving as well?... Yes! Not to mention the direction by musical empresario Walter Lang is sumptuous and breathtaking; and the music by Rodgers and Hammerstein is just classic, tear-jerking stuff. To quote the song "Something Wonderful": "He will not always say, what you would have him say; but now and then he'll do, something wonderful!" The same goes for the show; which ofcourse has many cringe moments; but now and then it is wonderful. The part that hasn't dated is this depiction of two strong personalities; coming together and forming a friendship; and coming to understandings about how to improve society in some small way and learn from eachother. The heavy-handed colonial missionary subtext be damned... This is still the story of a real life fascinating friendship between two fascinating people. Perfectly played by two brilliant actors. And in that sense it's definitely still worth watching. Not to mention the brilliant classic musical numbers like "Getting to Know You"; "Something Wonderful" and "Shall we Dance". Highly Recommended!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

As I said, I really like this film-musical, as I like most all Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals. Rodger's music is sublime and catchy in all the right ways, invoking thoughtful and sophisticated influences of Asian music. The problem, however, lies in the portrayal of Mongkut, who although driven to bring modernism and education to Siam for the sake of his subjects, is really little more than a funny speech inflection. Nevertheless, the striving for common ground between the Eastern and Western values serves to enlighten both Mongkut and Anna in unexpected ways, with both learning to respect and love each other. In fact, I would argue that it is only with the blending of cultures that the characters truly learn who they are. It is a story from a less politically correct, more innocent time, but a good deal of enjoyment can still be garnered.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Liam D

The most well know Rogers and Hammerstein musical and it's an Visual spectacle

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/20/22

Full Review

robert p

A very good movie, though sanatized for American and the World viewing of a small kingdom that likes to believe its the size of Brazil. Everything is not fine and dandy in the court until the teacher from America arrives and starts to set everything that she can in the regal court!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

charles f

A marvelous film, Brynner and Kerr are magnificent.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Walter Lang

Director

Deborah Kerr

Anna Leonowens

Yul Brynner

King Mongkut of Siam

Rita Moreno

Tuptim

Martin Benson

Kralahome

Terry Saunders

Lady Thiang

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Typically overproduced.

Feb 10, 2012

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

All the ingredients that made Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I a memorable stage experience have been faithfully transferred to the screen.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Over-long but visually spectacular.

Feb 9, 2006

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The epic romance never really evolves or culminates, though Anna's hope that she's set into motion a progressive, gradual curtailing of barbaric rule is gratifying.

Rated: 5/10

Jan 2, 2022

Full Review

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

Already saluted here but deserving another mention. It's a glorious musical, by far the best Rodgers-and-Hammerstein show ever filmed.

Nov 26, 2019

Full Review

TV Guide

Starring Yul Brynner in the part he seemed born to play, this is a fine if slightly stage-bound example of the 1950s Hollywood musical spectacular.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 10, 2012

Full Review

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Synopsis

In this film adaptation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, widowed Welsh mother Anna Loenowens (Deborah Kerr) becomes a governess and English tutor to the wives and many children of the stubborn King Mongkut of Siam (Yul Brynner). Anna and the king have a clash of personalities as she works to teach the royal family about the English language, customs and etiquette, and rushes to prepare a party for a group of European diplomats who must change their opinions about the king.

Director: Walter Lang
Executive Producer: Darryl F Zanuck
Screenwriter: Oscar Hammerstein II, Margaret Landon, Ernest Lehman
Distributor: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, 20th Century Fox, Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Rating: G
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 29, 1956, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Sound Mix: Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track