Simply A Masterpiece

Excellent but underrated film

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

My god this is a terrible movie! I don't understand why it gets good reviews. I finally sat down and watched the whole thing and I can tell you I will never be watching it again. Is there supposed to be chemistry between the two main characters? Because I don't feel it! How would someone like Anna ever have feelings for the king? It's such a depressing movie. Tuptim's lover even dies and so what, she goes on living a miserable life? I didn't even think the musical part of this movie was good. I like 'Getting to Know You', but the rest of it wasn't impressive. I just can't believe this goes down in history as a 'fairy tale/love story'. YUCK!

This is truly a classic! You will love this movie for its songs, Yul Brynner's performance, and just about everything else. It basically features a schoolteacher from Wales who goes to Bangkok with her schoolchildren and interacts with the king there, finding love on the way. All the songs are great, the cast is great, the chemistry among the performers is first rate, and basically everything is perfect. If you are into classic movies, musicals, classic actors, and everything about great movies, give this marvelous movie a try. The interactions between Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner make it work all the way through!*** out of ****

It's 1862 Siam. Anna Leonowens (Deborah Kerr) and her son Louis arrive in Bangkok. She's a strong-willed English lady who lost her husband. She's been hired to teach English to the children of King Mongkut (Yul Brynner). Prince Chulalongkorn is the oldest of the students. Kralahome is the Prime Minister. Tuptim (Rita Moreno) is a gift to the King from Burma although she's in love with Lun Tha. Lady Thiang is the head wife. The King is looking to modernize. Kralahome warns him of encroaching English imperialism. England sends Ambassador John Hay and his aide Sir Edward Ramsay who turns out to be Anna's former love.The colorful set designs and costumes are amazingly beautiful. They are grand and really pops on the screen. There are some classic songs like 'Getting to Know You'. This is a big lavish production. Yul Brynner is utterly memorable although his singing is nothing to write home about. He would win the Oscar along with the music, costumes, and set designs.

Nothing to dislike here. THE KING AND I is a sumptuous screen staging of a stage musical, replete with exotic locations and vivid song-and-dance numbers to keep the pace running along smoothly. It's a film that's bolstered by a fine pair of central performances from the perfectly-matched Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner, two actors who bring empathy, wit and warmth to their parts as governess and king respectively.Brynner in particular is one of those actors who's so memorable that I'll watch a film based on his presence alone. He's in his element here as the vain, arrogant, fey, funny and deeply human King of Siam, his energy helping bring the movie to life. Kerr is the emotional heart who holds it all together.The songs are fine and the moments of theatre are particularly good; the restaging of UNCLE TOM'S CABIN is, in particular, the highlight of the movie for me. But it's just one highlight in a movie that's full of them. Yes, some of the supporting performances are weak and often the theatrical roots of the production are all too evident, but for the most part this is great stuff.