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Summary: Anna and the King of Siam
Review: In 1951, songwriters Rodgers and Hammerstein premiered their Broadway hit "The King and I" - a fantastical tale about King Mongkut of Siam and the tutor, Anna Leonowens, who taught all 39 of his wives and 82 of his children. In 1956, a musical film version of the play was adapted for the screen starring Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr. A television show and two more films have kept this story alive for more than 50 years. The subject of Anna and her king has in essence become its own modern theme, one that has knitted itself into the threads of even more modern stories than you could ever imagine.ANNA AND THE KING uses this theme in a non-musical version of "The King and I" starring two-time Academy Award-winning actress and international star Chow Yun-Fat. Our knowledge of Siam's history during the reign of King Mongkut comes partly from Anna Leonowens memoirs of that time entitled "The English Governess at the Siamese Court: Being Recollections of Six Years in the Royal Palace at Bangkok." The story begins in 1862 when Anna and her son Louis travel to Siam (now Malaysia) so that she can take a job as the tutor for the King's wives and children. The Siamese were bewildered by her brassy demeanor and witty verse in the presence of the King because they always bowed down to him at first sight. Despite her foreign idiosyncrasies, Anna goes on to become the most prolific teacher the King's children ever have - and the most challenging woman the King ever encounters. ANNA AND THE KING is a throwback to the days when studios created elaborate motion pictures with grandiose sets and hundreds of cast members. It is a story that is beautiful to watch - thousands of extras and 1300 crew members worked on location all over Malaysia to bring this film to life. The crew created a lavish seven-acre replica of the real King's Palace located in Bangkok. When Anna scurries past the guards right up to the steps of King Mongkut's throne on the palace set, it is almost impossible to believe that the set is an imitation. Twenty local Malay students spent week after week setting tiny colored mirrors all over the palace set to create a mosaic barely rivaled by the real thing. Along with ornate costumes and an extensive use of animals, the film executes a story as grand as the epic tales of Hollywood some 40 years ago. When ANNA AND THE KING premiered in theaters, the response was mediocre. With a less than expected box-office gross, the film was essentially considered a flop by many. But it may be a film you will admire more and want to see again and again if you know a little about the complex history behind it. Pick up a copy of Anna Leonowens memoirs. The film will mean so much more if you understand its actions and dialogue. When the doors of the children's courtyard opens to Anna, she is speechless to learn the King has 39 wives and 82 children - all standing before her. King Mongkut turns to Anna and says, "I know what you're thinking - not as many as Emperor of China. But he did not spend 27 years in monastery." This scene will unavoidably touch your heart if you know just a little about the King's past. Mongkut spent more than half of his life traveling the countryside of Siam wearing the yellow robe of a Buddhist Monk. He led a disciplined life of one meal a day and constant study of the scriptures. Then in 1851, news came of the death of King Rama III - Mongkut's brother. At 47 years old, he stepped down from a life of reverent worship into a surreal world inside the palace walls. The scene between Anna and the King in the children's courtyard is mildly comical and oddly impressive when you know that the King embraced his royal duties at such a late age and still managed to produce more children than anyone in the modern world will ever have. And he did it all in less than 17 years. There are some films that are intent on providing you with a little history about something you may know nothing about. ANNA AND THE KING does just that. If you find this film enticing, it hopes maybe you will look elsewhere to learn more.
Rating: 
Summary: SEE IT!
Review: THE SHORT OF IT: You dont have to know anything about the "story" of Anna and the King, all you have to do is watch this wonderful version that so completely masters the epic life/love story. It tells the tale of a wonderful drama that MUST be experienced. I only wish the ending had that little *you-know* that we all hoped for. Even if youre not a Foster or Yun-Fat fan, its worth seeing for the cinematography and beautiful scenery. SEE IT!
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Summary: Super ! Super !
Review: Hey I seen the movie and been on the movie set. I live in Penang and boy have they changed Penang so that it looks like Siam. Well this picture is better than Entrapment the last film shot in Malaysia. You would probably like to book a ticket to Ipoh, Penang and Langkawi in Malaysia after watching the video. Anyway the sets are still around in Ipoh and Langkawi. There are wedding packages to Anna sets in Ipoh !
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Summary: Anna and the King
Review: One of my all-time top 10 favorite movies since the start of movies! Chow Yung Fat steals the show in this sweeping romantic costume epic. Rates right up there with El Cid. I do not think the Oscars did it any justice. Worth seeing by everyone.
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Summary: Amazing!
Review: Amazing is the SCOPE of this movie! Amazing is the lack of interest by the award-givers! Having spent some time in the Orient, I was thrilled by the filming and sets of the production . . . in fact, from the moment the movie started and the music began, I was holding my breath! I think Jodie Foster has the "stiff upper lip" DOWN, and Chow Yun-Fat is the best King yet . . . This movie takes you through the gauntlet of emotion; you want to laugh, sing, cry, and kill the dirty rotton traitor Alak! In my opinion, this is the hallmark of a GREAT story, and a great movie. My husband agreed (after seeing it the first time) that this was one to own. In fact, walking out of the theater there was - silence - until the lady in front of me turned and said "WOW!"
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Summary: See this Movie!
Review: This is an absolutely beautiful film - a feast for the eyes. Chow Yun-Fat is excellent and the story is lots of fun. This and the Sixth Sense were my two favorite movies of 1999!
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking...
Review: Not only was this the best movie to come out last year, it is one of the best movies of all times. I was disappointed in the box-office response, but I just think back to how badly Dr. Zhivago was accepted during its theatrical run, only to become one of the greatest and most loved films of all times. And Anna and the King ranks right up there with Dr. Zhivago. A brilliant, beautiful movie.
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Summary: An almost perfect movie!
Review: I loved this movie. The local reviewers stated how awful the romance in this film was. After seeing the movie I wondered if they had watched the same movie I did. I cried through the while ending. There were so many subtle things that the film is worth seeing more than once so you can catch them all!
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Summary: A beautiful, moving story!
Review: Anna and the King is beautifully set in Malaysia where most of the movie was filmed. The actors, Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat were extraordinary. You could feel the passion the characters had for one another which made the movie an emotional journey as well. I thought this movie was very much underrated and I feel the critics oversaw the main point of the movie, to entertain. When I'm entertained for the length of a movie, I've gotten my money's worth and more!
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Summary: Andy Tennent has made another marval of a film!
Review: Andy Tennent the Director of Ever After could not have made a better follow up movie than Anna and the King. Jodi Foster and Chow Yun-Fat had suprisingly wonderful chemistry and were perfectly cast in their parts. This version IS the best because it went beyond the romance and showed the cultural differences and why it couldn't be. It showed the passion of both Anna and King Mongkut, but it showed that the King had to lead his nation and not think of his heart. The film also showed who important the children were to the both of them. The film is a lavish, gorgous, and amazing because of awe-inspiring sets, costumes, and acting above all. This was the most underrated film of 1999, but it was also one of the best. Andy Tennent is the king of simple romance and the period film. Jodi Foster and Chow Yun-Fat will capture your heart and astonish you!
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