The King and I (1956)
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96% of critics liked it
(25 reviews) -
79% of users liked it
(60,199 ratings)
The King and I, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's 1951 Broadway musical hit, was based on Margaret Landon's book Anna and the King of Siam. Since 20th-Century-Fox had made a film version of the Landon book in 1946, that studio had first dibs on the movie adaptation of The King and I.… More The King and I, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's 1951 Broadway musical hit, was based on Margaret Landon's book Anna and the King of Siam. Since 20th-Century-Fox had made a film version of the Landon book in 1946, that studio had first dibs on the movie adaptation of The King and I. Deborah Kerr plays English widow Anna Leonowens, who comes to Siam in the 1860s to tutor the many wives and children of the country's progressive King (Yul Brynner, recreating his Broadway role-and winning an Oscar in the process). The culture clash between Anna and the King is but one aspect of their multilayered relationship. Through Anna, the King learns the refineries and responsibilities of "modern" western civilization; Anna meanwhile comes to realize how important it is for an Oriental ruler to maintain his pride and to uphold the customs of his people. After a successful evening entertaining foreign dignitaries, Anna and the King celebrate with an energetic dance, but this is cut short by a bitter quarrel over the cruel punishment of the King's new Burmese wife Tuptim (Rita Moreno), who has dared to fall in love with someone else. Despite the many rifts between them, Anna and the monarch come to respect and (to a degree) love one another. When the King dies, Anna agrees to stay on to offer help and advice to the new ruler of Siam, young Prince Chulalongkhorn (Patrick Adiarte). In general, The King and I tends to be somewhat stagey, with the notable exception of the matchless "Small House of Uncle Thomas" ballet, which utilizes the Cinemascope 55 format to best advantage (the process also does a nice job of "handling" Deborah Kerr's voluminous hoopskirts). Most of the Broadway version's best songs ("Getting to Know You", "Whistle a Happy Tune", "A Puzzlement", "Shall We Dance" etc.) are retained. None of the omissions are particularly regrettable, save for Anna's solo "Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?" This feisty attack on the King's chauvinism was specially written to suit the talents of Gertrude Lawrence, who played Anna in the original production; the song was cut from the film because it made Deborah Kerr seem "too bitchy" (Kerr's singing, incidentally, is dubbed for the most part by the ubiquitous Marni Nixon). When all is said and done, the principal attraction of The King and I is Yul Brynner, in the role that made him a star and with which he will forever be identified. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Walter Lang
- Written By
- Margaret Landon, Ernest Lehman
- Genres
- Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics
- In Theaters
- Jun 29, 1956 Wide
- On DVD
- Apr 27, 1999
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox
Critic Reviews
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Typically overproduced.
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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.
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Over-long but visually spectacular.
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Bosley Crowther, New York Times
If you don't...see [The King and I], believe us, you'll be missing a grand and moving thing.
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, TV Guide's Movie 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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Cast
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Deborah Kerr
as Anna Leonowens
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Yul Brynner
as The King of Siam
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Rita Moreno
as Tuptim
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Martin Benson
as Kralahome
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Terry Saunders
as Lady Thiang
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Rex Thompson
as Louis Leonowens
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Carlos Rivas
as Lun Tha
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Patrick Adiarte
as Prince Chulalongkorn
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Alan Mowbray
as British Ambassador
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Geoffrey Toone
as Ramsay
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Yuriko
as Eliza in ballet
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Marion Jim
as Simon Legree in ballet
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Robert Banas
as Keeper of the Dogs
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Dusty Worrall
as Uncle Thomas in ballet
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Gernze de Lappe
as Specialty Dancer
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Charles Irwin
as Ship's Captain
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Leonard Strong
as Interpreter
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Jadin Wong
as Amazon
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Jean Wong
as Amazon
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Weaver Levy
as Whipping Guard
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William Yip
as High Priest
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Eddie Luke
as Messenger
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Josephine Smith
as Guest at Palace
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Thomas and Dennis Bonifla
as Twins
- Fuji
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Marni Nixon
as Anna (singing)



