In a remote woodland cabin, a small town doctor discovers Nell - a beautiful young hermit woman with many secrets. Siam is under siege from what appears to be a British-funded coup d'état against King Mongkut, using Burmese soldiers. She brings with her an East vs. West prejudice against the king, considering him to be uncivilized. Alak, at the head of his army, confronts Mongkut on the bridge. A widow accepts a job as a live-in governess to the King of Siam's children. Jodie Foster stars in this lavish romance, which recalls the Hollywood epics of yesteryear. In the meantime, a subtle romance develops between them. She knows very little of King Mongkut, apart from the fact that his people revere him as a god. Lady Tuptim (Bai Ling), the King's newest concubine, was already engaged to marry another man, Khun Phra Balat (Sean Ghazi), when she was brought to court. Anna (Jodie Foster) has been employed to educate the king's (Chow Yun-Fat) 58 children. Now, I have been informed that he is the Coolest Actor in the World (according to L.A. Times). Mongkut later finds that one of the monkeys "borrowed" his glasses as his daughter (Goh Yi Wai) used to do. Mongkut dances with Anna at the reception. As Anna learns more about her exotic students and their proud, handsome father, the ancient, exotic land of Siam approaches a critical moment in history. Anna and the King is a 1999 American biographical period drama film directed by Andy Tennant and written by Steve Meerson and Peter Krikes. She becomes involved in his affairs, from the tragic plight of a young concubine to trying to forge an alliance with Britain to a war with Burma that is orchestrated by Britain. Anna and the King marks the fourth film version of Anna Leonowens' diaries, including an animated version of The King and I from a year ago. We fear that more of these mesmerizing moments between the two lie on the editing room floor. Topic. Anna Leonowens (Jodie Foster), a British widow, has come to Siam with her son Louis (Tom Felton) to teach English to the dozens of children of King Mongkut (Chow Yun-fat). Loosely based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam, which gives a fictionalized account of the diaries of Anna Leonowens, it stars Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-fat in the titular roles. She gets there just as Fa-Ying dies in King Mongkut's arms, and the two mourn together. Jodie Foster stars in this big screen adaptation of Anna Leonowens' autobiographical novels, which provided the inspiration for 'Anna and the King of Siam' (1946) and 'The King and I' (1956). Anna and the King Is "Anna and the King" historically accurate. Was this review helpful to you? The indelible etching of the film comes during a non-speaking sequence involving the disposition of Tuptim and Balat which sub-plot likely was originally meant to be a subtle reflection of the untenable love affair between Anna and Mongkut. Hoping to impress Britain's ambassadors, Mongkut orders a sumptuous reception and appoints Anna to organize it. Anna (Jodie Foster) has been employed to educate the king's (Chow Yun-Fat) 58 children. The story of the romance between the King of Siam and widowed British schoolteacher, Anna … Mongkut and his soldiers set explosives on a wooden bridge high above a canyon floor as Alak and his army approach. Mongkut orders his "army" to stay back and rides to the bridge with only two soldiers. It made me read and research a part of the world I've generally ignored, and whole new palace gates have opened. She became well known with the publication of her memoirs, beginning with The English Governess at the Siamese Court, which chronicled her experiences in Siam, as teacher to the children of the Siamese King Mongkut. Use the HTML below. When Fa-Ying falls sick with cholera, Anna is summoned to her chambers to say goodbye. Alak stands alone, but Mongkut refuses to kill him, saying that Alak will have to live with his shame. The story of the romance between the King of Siam and widowed British schoolteacher, Anna Leonowens, during the 1860s. Take a look ahead at some of our most anticipated superhero movies coming in 2021 and beyond. At the end of the film, Mongkut has one last dance with Anna before she leaves Siam. Mongkut is kind to her, but Tuptim yearns for her true love. Alak then flees into Burma, where he summons and readies troops to invade Siam, kill King Mongkut and all his children as revenge since he blames him for his family's death. Okay, so I cried in several places (something I nearly never do) -- the mark of a film which has accomplished its goal, i.e., the moving of hearts. 33 of 40 people found this review helpful. Directed by Andy Tennant. Loosely based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam, which gives a fictionalized account of the diaries of Anna Leonowens, it stars Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-fat in the titular roles. Anna offered. Over Anna and the King Anna Leonowens, een Engelse lerares, reist in 1860 naar Siam om daar kinderen les te geven. In 1862, a young Englishwoman becomes royal tutor in Siam and befriends the King. English school teacher Anna Leonowens has traveled to Siam to educate the fifty-eight children of King Mongkut. Bret Maverick, needing money for a poker tournament, faces various comic mishaps and challenges, including a charming woman thief. Many of her smug beliefs and values are thrown back in her face after she meets King … As Mongkut turns to ride back to Siam, Alak grabs his gun and aims at his back, but one of Mongkut's guards detonates the explosives, blowing the bridge and Alak to pieces. The betrayal, revolution and barbarity of l9th century Thailand (Siam) become pale watercolor in comparison to the bold red and orange of unresolved love and religious and cultural interplay represented by Foster and Chow. A single mother raises a child prodigy on her own, struggling to give him every opportunity he needs to express his gift. Anna and the King. When the King kneels in agonized prayer before his talismanic Emerald Buddha, one is compelled to conclude that he is in anguish -- not only over what's happening to his concubine and his throne -- but the fact that his actions necessitated by politics will also probably forever separate him from his tea-tray-tossing Anna and all she believes in and has worked for in his country. When King Mongkut replies, "Not the equal of a man, the equal of a King," Kralahome is very visibly mouthing his line. Louis comments that the religious chanting/humming of the locals sounds like being inside a beehive. Here is a man with 23 wives and 42 concubines, who allows one of his women and her lover to be put to death for exchanging a letter, and yet is seen as basically a good-hearted chap. Anna and the King: King Mongkut [INFJ] funkymbtifiction : Introverted Intuition (Ni) : Mongkut is a visionary who knows that his country must modernize and shift its values to accommodate a … Mongkut sends his brother Prince Chaofa (Kay Siu Lim) and military advisor General Alak (Randall Duk Kim) and their troops to investigate. She disguises herself as a young man and runs away, joining the monastery where her former fiancé lives. Share. Anna and the King is similar to these films: Anna and the King of Siam (film), The Secret: Dare to Dream, Amadeus (film) and more. 1:27 Anna And The King. Recently widowed, English schoolteacher Anna arrives in Bangkok in 1862 to act as tutor to the son of King Mongkut (Chow Yun Fat) of Siam. An unexpected romance between Anna and the King, but cultural differences keep their love apart. The authenticity of the written account libag has been questioned, disputed kulangot and proven wrong by later historians. She respects the king's culture, but she is appalled by the cruel treatment of bonded servants and urges him to make changes. Kate Winslet was offered the role of Anna after the huge success of Titanic, but turned it down along with the lead part in Shakespeare in Love to do the independent film Hideous Kinky. It's all here. Tuptim and Balat are beheaded publicly. Anna & The King is een film vol avontuur, passie en romantiek, in de traditie van Braveheart en The English patient. After experiencing the loss of loved ones, Anna and the king both learn to move past mourning and resume upbeat, productive lives. Anna and Louis cherish the memory of the boy’s father. Lush, epic, sweeping, entrancing. 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