The King and I
Widowed Welsh mother Anna Leonowens becomes a governess and English tutor to the wives and many children of the stubborn King Mongkut of Siam. Anna and the King have a clash of personalities as she works to teach the royal family about the English language, customs and etiquette, and rushes to prepare a party for a group of European diplomats who must change their opinions about the King.
Critics Sentiment
Tuptim performs the Uncle Tom's Cabin ballet for British guests
Anna calls the King barbaric when he prepares to whip Tuptim
The dramatic drop from the romantic high of the polka dance sequence to the harsh reality of Tuptim's punishment creates the film's most jarring tonal shift.
The King and I maintains consistently strong audience sentiment throughout most of its runtime, with particular praise for the musical numbers and the chemistry between Kerr and Brynner. The film peaks with the universally acclaimed Uncle Tom ballet sequence before experiencing its lowest point during the confrontational whipping scene, ultimately recovering for a satisfying if melodramatic conclusion.
Full cast
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Deborah Kerr
Anna Leonowens
Yul Brynner
King Mongkut of Siam
Rita Moreno
Tuptim
Martin Benson
Kralahome
Terry Saunders
Lady Thiang
Rex Thompson
Louis Leonowens
Carlos Rivas
Lun Tha
Patrick Adiarte
Prince Chulalongkorn
Alan Mowbray
Sir John Hay
Geoffrey Toone
Sir Edward Ramsay
Leo Abbey
Guard (uncredited)
Robert Banas
Keeper of the Dogs (uncredited)
Dennis Bonilla
Mongkut's Twin Son (uncredited)
Thomas Bonilla
Mongkut's Twin Son (uncredited)
Jerry Chien
Royal Child (uncredited)
Nancy Chien
Royal Child (uncredited)
Mary Lou Clifford
Royal Wife (uncredited)
Judy Dan
Royal Wife (uncredited)
Gemze De Lappe
Specialty Dancer (uncredited)
Amir Farr
Sailor (uncredited)
Crew
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