Anna And The King (1999) DVD

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Anna And The King (1999) DVD

Anna And The King (1999) DVD

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£‎8.18

SKU:

V01032023817

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( 1 product review )

Product Description

Anna And The King (1999)

- Andy Tennant
- Anna Leonowens(diaries)
- Steve Meerson(screenplay)
- Peter Krikes(screenplay)
Stars
- Jodie Foster
- Chow Yun-Fat
- Bai Ling
The true story of Anna Leonowens' experiences as a governess to the children of an eccentric Asian king has been adapted into a book of memoirs, a biography, a stage play called Anna and the King of Siam -- which was adapted into a 1946 film, a stage musical called The King and I -- made into both the live-action The King and I (1956)) and the animated The King and I (1999) feature films, and a short-lived 1972 TV series. Now the story is brought to the screen yet again, as Jodie Foster stars as Leonowens, hired by the king of Thailand (Chow Yun-Fat) in the 19th century to help care for his children. The king wants the best for his children, but Anna soon discovers that he is a strong-willed but quixotic leader, and her stay in Thailand becomes a struggle for power with romantic overtones, as they decide who will have authority over the royal youngsters. Anna and the King was directed by Andy Tennant, best known for his 1998 variation on the Cinderella story, Ever After.

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Product Reviews

"THE EQUAL OF A KING"

Posted by Unknown on Mar 3rd 2024

20th Century Fox certainly got a lot of milage out of "Anna & The King"; first in 1946 with Irene Dunne and Rex Harrison. Every version of this "true" 19th Century story plays as "fascinating fiction," but the idea of pompous, British Harrison as a Siamese monarch is Hollywood preposterous; and there's no connection between him and Dunne. This version inspired Rodgers & Hammerstein to write the musical "The King And I", which Yul Bryneer and Deborah Kerr played powerfully and beautifully on screen in 1956.
This critically overlooked and under appreciated version starring Chow Yun Fat and Jodie Foster is less "The King And I" and more like David Lean's epic "A Passage To India." Chow Yun Fat is every bit as commanding as Yul Bryneer and, as he is actually Asian, more authentic.
"The King And I" is about how Anna changes Siam. This version is about how Siam changes Anna. Jodie Foster's Anna is terribly "high and mighty", secure in her smug belief that "the ways of England are the ways of the world." She gets her nose rubbed in her beliefs, and it doesn't take King Mongkut long to realize she is hiding insecurities behind her veneer of British resolve, superiority, and strength. This version has Anna help the King thwart a political coup and assassination attempt from General Alack.
The Prime Minister does not take kindly to Anna over-stepping cultural and political boundaries on numerous occasions, saying, "There has been great insult caused by this Englishwoman who believes herself to be the equal of a man." A fascinated King Mongkut replies, "No... the equal of a King."
Directed by Andy Tennett.