The King and I (1956)

Isn't this one of the classic movie musicals of all time?

It's one of my favorites, for sure. Starring Deborah Kerr as Anna, Yul Brynner as the King of Siam, and Rita Moreno as Tuptim, it tells the story of an English widow who is hired to be a tutor/live-in governess to the many children of the King of Siam during the 1860's, and the classes between English and Siamese customs of the time.

The music of Rodgers & Hammerstein help to tell this glorious story with unforgettable songs like "Shall We Dance?" and "Getting to Know You".

Deborah Kerr passed away on October 16, 2007.

The story has been told in other movies such as "Anna and the King" and "Anna and the King of Siam", but nothing compares with the 1956 production (except for perhaps a stage production).

The trailer for the movie

THE KING AND I Trailer (1956)

Deborah Kerr plays English widow Anna Leonowens, who comes to Siam in the 1860s to tutor the many wives and children of the country's King (Yul Brynner, recreating his Broadway role and winning an Oscar in the process). The culture clash between Anna and the King is but one aspect of the multilayered relationship. Deborah Kerr Yul Brynner Rita Moreno Martin Benson Terry Saunders Rex Thompson Produced by Charles Brackett Directed by Walter Lang More than your eyes have see... More than your heart has ever known!

Runtime: 2:16
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If you're not familiar with the story, you can learn more at Wikipedia

The King and I is a 1956 musical film made by 20th Century Fox, directed by Walter Lang and produced by Charles Brackett and Darryl F. Zanuck. The screenplay by Ernest Lehman is based on the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II musical The King and I, based in turn on the book Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon. The plot comes from the story written by Anna Leonowens, who became school teacher to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s. Leonowens' story was autobiographical, although its objective accuracy is questioned.

The film stars Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr with Rita Moreno, Terry Saunders, Martin Benson, Rex Thompson, Patrick Adiarte, Alan Mowbray and Geoffrey Toone. The cinematography was by Leon Shamroy, the art direction by John DeCuir and Lyle R. Wheeler and the costume design by Irene Sharaff.

read the rest of the Wikipedia article

Learn more about the cast & crew that made this classic film

in the Internet Movie Database

The King and I (1956): The King and I on IMDb: Movies, TV, Celebs, and more...

Which actor/actress stole the show in this film?

They're both powerful actors playing powerful roles - which one is your favorite?

Which star is your favorite in The King And I?

Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

Yul Brynner

GypsyPirate says:

Yul Brynner all teh way!

Posted January 17, 2008

Deborah Kerr

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So why is this one of my favorites?

First, I love musicals in general, especially tunes that are lively and catch your attention. "Shall We Dance?", along with the amazing dance routine performed in the movie, does just that.

Second, the Tuptim storyline is so moving and emotional, and as the story takes place in the time of the 1860's, as the United States is fighting its civil war and the issue of slavery is a hot-topic, a slave girl takes "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and re-writes it to tell the story of a Siamese slave.

Third, the romance between Anna and the King, even though it could never possibly be, is so touching and romantic in its own way.

Fourth, any movie with that many children running around in it will have its cute and funny moments, and those are always good.