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The King and I
1956 133 min United States of America G 12+
★8.0
Romance, History, Drama
Director: Walter Lang
📖 Based on the novel
«Anna and the King of Siam»
byMargaret Landon
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
Widowed Welsh mother Anna Leonowens becomes a governess and English tutor to the wives and many children of the stubborn King Mongkut of Siam. 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.
Budget:
$4.55M
US Gross:
$21.3M
Worldwide:
$21.3M
Starring
Yul Brynner
Actor
Deborah Kerr
Actor
Rita Moreno
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 1957
— Best Costume Design (Color)
Academy Awards 1957
— Best Actor
Academy Awards 1957
— Best Sound
Academy Awards 1957
— Best Picture
Academy Awards 1957
— Best Actor
Academy Awards 1957
— Best Sound
Academy Awards 1957
— Best Score for a Musical
Academy Awards 1957
— Best Production Design (Color)
Golden Globe 1957
— Best Actress (Comedy or Musical)
Golden Globe 1957
— Best Picture (Comedy or Musical)
Golden Globe 1957
— Best Film Promoting World Understanding
Academy Awards 1957
— Best Cinematography (Color)
Golden Globe 1957
— Best Actor (Comedy or Musical)
Key opinion
The 1956 adaptation of The King and I is widely regarded as a definitive, visually lavish classic of the musical genre. While critics and audiences celebrate its iconic performances and production design, some viewers find the pacing slow and the historical subtext dated.
| Acting | Yul Brynner’s commanding, multi-layered performance as the King serves as the film’s essential anchor. | |
| Production | The film features visually stunning production design, boasting opulent sets and costumes that define its aesthetic appeal. | |
| Score | The iconic musical score and choreography, particularly the 'Shall We Dance' sequence, remain enduring highlights of the film. | |
| Culture | The film's cultural representation of 19th-century Siam is frequently criticized as being highly stylized and historically inaccurate. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the film's length are divided; supporters appreciate the deliberate musical development, while others find the pacing excessive and prone to feeling stale. |