A Masterpiece!

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

The King and I, the everlasting tale of friendship and kind love that many around the world have been able to enjoy over generations. The story is loosely based on events that took place in the middle of the 19th century, when modern-day Thailand was the Kingdom of Siam. The whole story evolves around the relationship that the King Mongkut of Siam (Yul Brynner, who was destined to play the role) and Anna Leonowens (played by Deborah Kerr), the English teacher hired by the Kingdom to educate the royal children about the world around them. At the beginning of the movie, a clash of civilization could not be more evident as the King of Siam with his own peculiarities confronts his disguised personal teacher. As things evolve, a unique chemistry develops between the two characters, which transcends cultural lines. In their own subtle ways, the actors display a wide-range of emotions which is difficult to capture in any film. The film also provides a rare view of Rita Moreno's artistic range in her beloved character of Tuptim, the always faithful lover.The movie is indeed not a biopic of true events or an accurate depiction of the Kingdom of Siam at the time, but rather a display of well-crafted cinematography weaved with beautiful songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein and superb choreography by the masterful Jerome Robbins.The King and I will remain as a lasting testament of a generation of producers who saw their jobs as setting cultural references and bringing together all the necessary artistic elements to make masterpieces, who many still enjoy.

Praise: Sets, costumes, Deborah Kerr, Yul Brynner, the ballet "Small House of Uncle Thomas" within the storyCritique: This film outshines previous Rodgers and Hammerstein works such as "Oklahoma!" and "South Pacific" because it explores topics outside the humdrum of romance, such as education, politics, and cultural differences. However, it sputters throughout the final half hour by backsliding into an extended analysis of male-female relations. Interaction with the children gets minimized. Siamese accouterments practically disappear. Consequently, the king's death does not pull upon a single heart-string.

The King and I (1956): Dir: Walter Lang / Cast: Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr, Rita Moreno, Terry Saunders, Martin Benson: Technical achievement for director Walter Lang about the humble humbling the authority. The king in question is played with surprising authority and humour. He is king of Siam and has too many kids to count. Deborah Kerr play Anna Leonowens, a widow with a young son. She arrives from Wales by ship accepting a job opportunity to teach the king's numerous kids. They butt heads when she becomes the one person who dares counter argue the king. She claims that he promised her a house while he declares that she remain in the palace. This is surprisingly witty in its humour thanks to Brynner's performance as a king who refuses to admit his shortcomings. Kerr is able to communicate so that he may maintain his image. The climax regards a banquet put on in order for the king to improve his image in the face of false claims. In supporting roles are Rita Moreno as the latest female presented as the king's umpteenth wife who is secretly in love with another man. This subplot is poorly resolved and a weak element in the film. Terry Saunders plays Lady Thiang who intervenes for the king when he refuses to address Anna. The musical numbers are often corny but the set decorations is an art all its own and render it fit for any king. Score: 8 / 10

The King and I is a fictional account of a historic era and some people who lived during that era. The setting is 19th century Siam. Anna is a widow to travels from Europe to Siam with her young son at the behest of the King of Siam. He is a monarch who sees the world changing quickly around him--especially with the opening of trade between the Orient and the West--and wants to educate his royal family in the Western ways.In the process, the king discovers that Anna is not a submissive woman. She stands up for herself and demands what is best for her son. As imperious as the King is, Anna discovers that although he is dedicated to maintaining the illusion of a perfect monarch, his innermost motivations are love for his family, his country and his subjects. Improbably, the two develop feelings for each other.The King and I is one of the great American musicals. The story is written with great sensitivity and creativity, the Rodgers and Hammerstein score contains some real gems, the orchestration is exciting, the sets are beautiful, the costuming eye-catching, the singing top rank.There are many in the cast, but the two leads create the magic that drives this film.Yul Brynner's portrayal of the king is the crowning achievement of his career, both on stage and on screen. It's an iconic portrayal. Though the script gives him the opportunity to create magical moments of cinema, his king perfectly captures the strong veneer of an absolute patriarchal monarch overlaying childlike enthusiasm for knowledge, pride in his family, fear of obsolescence, tenderness for Miss Anna, and confusion caused by personally-held beliefs that contradict.Deborah Kerr, as Anna, embodies the duality of the strong female role--feminine, mothering, and sentimental combined with intensity of purpose, strength of conviction, and bravery in facing uncertain circumstances far from home.I have loved this film since I was a child. Because of its clever storyline and its singable score, it remains a favorite.