A Film, Based on a Book, a Book Based on Selections of History

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	• Anna and the King of Siam Irene Dunne, Rex Harrison 20th Century Fox, 2005 average customer review:based on 18 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A good addition to any collection

Anna and the King of Siam, in this early version with Rex Harrison and Irene Dunne, represents the best of film-making before the era of special effects and computerized animation. It relies on the strength of the actors, the screen play, and the set designers. It is entertaining, and makes us forget that it was produced 60 years ago. It is a very good addition to any collection of classic movies.

A Film, Based on a Book, a Book Based on Selections of History

As a film based on Margaret Landon's novelisation of Anna Leonowen's book "Anna and the King of Siam" this is enjoyable film, both as a feel good story and as a visual spectacle.

I would recommend you buy the DVD rather than the VHS tape as the DVD contains a short documentary on the real life of Anna Leonowens and how her version of events were compiled. It reveals the areas of Anna's life that were embellished and those that she changed to make her story marketable to an American audience at the turn of the century - when women's issues were rising to the surface.

Unfortunately, some viewers may tend to look at the film's "surface" without challenging the film's historical innacuracies, the western view of Siam when Anna wrote her book and the western view of Thailand when the film was made. As a document showing western values "towards the Orient" it is most interesting. As a reflection of what was happening in Siam during the reign of King Mongkut it is next to worthless. Indeed it is understandable how this production continues to offend the Thai People.

Having said this, the lavish sets, the intricate costumes, the glorious post war acting and the period cinematography make the film a pleasure to watch... if you remember it is a long, long, long way from "truth."

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Don't miss this one

This movie is the basis for all versions of "Anna and the King of Siam" that come after. It is well done, and while it may not be any more factual than all that come after, it's a joy to watch. Don't miss the additional information including the biography of Anna Leon Owens.

Irene Dunne in her element

The culture clash of East and West is the primary focus of this beloved Hollywood classic, based on the novel "Anna and the King of Siam" by Margaret Landon (which in turn was shaped from the diaries of the real-life Anna Leonowens), and would later form the basis for the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical "The King and I".

Irene Dunne plays Anna Owens, a widowed mother who is given the position of schoolteacher to the many children of Siam's ruler King Mongkut (Rex Harrison). Her radical methods and attitudes cause disruption to the royal court, but soon Anna is a valued member of the King's inner circle.

This movie is an endless delight no matter how many times you watch it. Irene Dunne and Rex Harrison have an effortless chemistry; the prim and proper Englishwoman forced to adapt her lifestyle to suit the imperious King, and vise-versa. Linda Darnell plays the King's haughty but ultimately doomed concubine Tuptim, with Lee J. Cobb as the faithful Kralahome. Gale Sondergaard also rises to the challenging role of Lady Thiang, the head wife.

The costumes and sets are lavish--many pieces would later be recycled for "The King and I" several years later. It's a bit hard watching this movie after viewing the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical because you miss out on all those wonderful songs; but Bernard Herrmann's stirring score for ANNA AND THE KING OF SIAM is full of masterly motifs and colours too.

A glossy and dramatic true-life adventure.

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Fine Film!

Dunne's picture all the way! She's marvelous and should have received an Oscar nomination for this film. The film is a sumptous delicacy and only towards the end does it become a little slow paced (but only for a few moments). This keeps me from giving it 5 stars. I actually rate it 4 1/2. The costumes, cinematography and acting is superb, particularly Dunne and Linda Darnell (who steals the show as she often did in her later films). Definitely a keeper for your film library!

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4

This "magnificent spectacle" with "matchless pageantry" and "frequent moments of high comedy," (Hollywood Reporter) stars Rex Harrison as the King of Siam and Irene Dunne as Anna, the charming, strong-willed English widow who teaches him how to live in a modern world. Accompanied by her son, Anna Owens arrives in Siam to educate the king's harem and his sixty-seven children. She soon discovers there are many obstacles to overcome and it is only through her ingenuity, wit and dedication that she is able to continue her work. Slowly, she sees the effect of her influence on the court, but it is not until the stubborn king realizes he need's Ana's wisdom and guidance that her difficult mission is a success.

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