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Anna & the King of Siam |  | Director: John Cromwell
Actors: Irene Dunne, Rex Harrison, Linda Darnell, Lee J. Cobb, Gale Sondergaard
Studio: Fox Video
Category: Video
List Price: CDN$ 14.98
Buy New: CDN$ 7.38
as of 7/31/2010 10:31 CDT details
You Save: CDN$ 7.60 (51%)
New (1) Used (6) from CDN$ 2.50
Seller: Indigoheirlooms_Media
Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 3351
Format: NTSC
Language: English (Unknown)
Media: VHS Tape
Discs: 1
Running Time: 128 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 6302989590
UPC: 086162180538
EAN: 9786302989595
ASIN: 6302989590
Theatrical Release Date: June 20, 1946
Release Date: October 16, 2001
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
From Amazon.com
The story of British teacher Anna Leonowens and her sojourn to the court of 19th century Siam has proved irresistible to many generations--as book, movie, or Broadway show. Arguably the most beloved version of the story is the 1946 Fox film Anna and the King of Siam, an elegant and bittersweet drama. Irene Dunne plays the widow Anna, who arrives in Siam in 1862 with her young son in tow. Her ostensible job, to teach the many children of the polygamous King (Rex Harrison, in his first Hollywood picture), soon broadens into an unofficial court advisor. The most amusing sequences in the first half of the picture are the battles of manners between feisty Anna and the intellectually curious but tradition-bound king--a battle that engenders great mutual respect. John Farrow directed, with his customary sympathy for the female heroine and eye for handsome spaces (the film won Oscars for art direction and Arthur Miller's cinematography). The main Asian characters are played by white actors, with Lee J. Cobb especially startling as the prime minister. The affecting story leaves no doubt to why Rodgers and Hammerstein saw the future musical The King and I in the material, and indeed you may find yourself humming "Getting to Know You" or "Something Wonderful" beneath certain scenes. It was remade in 1999 with Jodie Foster as Anna and the King, with more cultural correctness but less charm. --Robert Horton
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| Customer Reviews:
 great movie based on real events September 29, 2008
Rick M. Pilotte (Victoria BC Canada)
I had read about this woman and her experiences in an early Readers Digest and found it a wonderfull story. Not long after I watched this movie. This is one of the best movies of all time...but then real life often make the best pictures.
Admittedly it takes a bit of getting used to Rex Harrison in the role when one might expect say a true Siamese or an oriental to play the role, but the flaw quickly fades and the story takes over. I've not seen the new version, though I'm not surprised there is one, as it's a story worth repeating. I don't know how true to the actual events the new version is, but truly the original is an exceptional version and is true to the actual events. You won't be dissapointed with this one.
a wonderful film based on a great book June 14, 2004
Alejandra Vernon (Long Beach, California)
One of the best books I have ever read is Margaret Landon's true story of Anna Leonowens, who at the age of 33, went to Siam as a governess to tutor the king's children. A widow of incredible courage and talent, her story is moving as well adventurous, and this film is a marvelous adaptation of Anna's time in that strange and foreign land, with her small son to take care of.
Landon's book of course also inspired the terrific Rodgers and Hammerstein musical and the film starring Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner, as well as the far less successful 1999 remake. Rex Harrison, in his first film for an American studio is riveting as King Mongkut; it's a sensitive and insightful portrayal, with his beautiful voice and enunciation making the most of the intelligent script, and Irene Dunne is a strong and wonderful Anna. These were the days when Caucasian actors took the parts of Asians, and we have some excellent supporting parts taken by Lee J. Cobb as Prime Minister Kralahome, Linda Darnell as Tuptim, and Gale Sondergaard, who received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination as Lady Thiang.
Oscars were given for Best Art Direction, and to Leon Shamroy for his fabulous cinematography, and nominations were for score (Bernard Herrmann) and screenplay. The excellence and charisma of its two stars and their chemistry together are great to watch, and anyone who likes Landon's book as much as I do will appreciate this film. Total running time is 128 minutes.
Classy Movie with Claasy Actress May 5, 2004
Eugenia Renskoff (New York, New York)
Anna and The King of Siam stars one of my favorite actresses. Irene Dunne has always been a star with tons of class and in this movie you can see why she was so popular in the 30s and 40s. The movie differs from the musical stage hit The King and I, but it is, nevertheless, very enjoyable. The sets, the photography and Rex Harrison as the King are all superb.
Excellent Movie January 1, 2004
Joann Denbow (Raleigh, NC)
I have seen this movie over and over again. I love it. I have been waiting for it to come out on DVD but decided not to wait any longer. When I first saw it I was a bit surprised by Rex Harrison in the lead role, but after a few moments you begin to believe he is the King of Siam. The cast is superb.....the movie is excellent.
if it were DVD March 17, 2003
I love this movie and want to buy it but will not till it comes out on DVD.
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