“The King and I” has been made based on the novel by Margaret Landon, “Anna and the King of Siam”. Her story first opened on Broadway as a play in 1951. Its success paved the way for the movie in 1956 which gained widespread popularity. This is a beautiful musical, with the right dose of romance, well directed by Walter Lang. The film has been appreciated for its lilting melodies, owing to Richard Rodgers for the music and Oscar Hammerstein II for the lyrics. In the lead as the King Mongkut of Siam is Yul Brynner, Anna is enacted by Deborah Kerr, slave girl Tuptim is Rita Moreno, the King’s Kralahome (Prime Minister) is Martin Benson and the favorite wife of the King, Lady Thiang is played by Terry Saunders.
The picture is about Mrs. Anna Leonowens, a widow from Wales who arrives in Bangkok , with her young son Louis. Her work is to teach English and induce Western ideas and philosophy to the royal children of the King of Siam. Though met with some hostility from the children as well as the King in the beginning, everyone in the palace grow to adore and admire her for her strong ideals and principles. Then comes Tuptim, a beautiful slave gifted to the King. Anna helps her meet her lover, unknown to the King until one day he discovers what has been happening. The highlight of the movie is a traditionally Siamese play presented by Tuptim and the other royal wives and children, based on a translated version of the novel, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, at a party with the British ambassador.
The King and I has earned a staggering list of awards, including 5 Oscars, 2 Tony Awards, 2 other wins and 7 nominations. Also an animated version of this picture hit the screens in 1999.