Anna And The King DVD > Reviews > True epic story on 19th century Siam

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Advantages:	True moving story
Disadvantages:	none so far

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

The movie is based on a true story between Thai King Mongkut (by Chow Yun Fat, the lead actor of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon), and Anna Leonowens (by Jodie Foster). It is love between two people, with different background, status and responsilities. You would enjoy the intriguing and interesting dialogues between Anna and King Mongkut, where both through argument, secretly admired each other.

The true story is based in Siam (former name of Thailand). The movie begins with Anna (a widow) arriving in Siam with her son, Louis and two Indian servants. Anna and her son had been living in different parts of the world with Anna being an invited teacher to many different countries. Likewise, King Mongkut employed her as a teacher to his eldest son Chulalongkong, the next heir to the throne, to educate him in English. as he understood that for Siam to survive and prosper in that century, its people need to be educated in English for trade and commerce.

However, due to his busy schedule, Anna was kept waiting for 3 weeks before she finally got a chance to meet him by abruptly running to see him before she was granted permission. Her outright behaviour captured the attention of the King. The King thus gave her the task of teaching all his 68 children and his wives and mistresses.

The movie focused on the war between the Burma and Siam and the issue of slavery. Besides the historic part this movie portrays, it shows how the love between Anna and King Mongkut developed, as well as the friendship between Anna and Prince Chulalongkong, Princess Fayin, and the miserable mistress Tuptiam. Prince Chulalongkong was very much influenced by Anna's teachings and in later years of him being King, he abolished slavery.

For Anna is one woman who was not afraid to speak her mind and speak for others' rights in a country where slavery was common, King Mongkut was amazed by her character and sense of justice. However, being a King who needed respect from his followers, he could not listen to Anna, a women, and often conflicts resulted.

As days went by, King Mongkut realised how much he loved and admired Anna and even gave her the task of organising a grand party for British diplomats.

The movie has its funny moments and emotional moments. The movie being filmed in Thailand where rain is abundant and the weather being very humid, for each set of costume used, there is always an extra set made, to ensure that filming schedule is smooth. Each actor/actresses gave an amazing performance.

I have watched this film three times and I would love to watch it again.