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List Price: $19.98 | | Label: 20th Century Fox
Salesrank: 24992
Released: April 27, 1999 |
| Our Price: $16.76 |
| Used Price: $12.00 |
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MPAA Rating: G (General Audience)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
The third Rodgers & Hammerstein Broadway hit to go before the cameras, The King and I boasts a career-making performance from Yul Brynner, repeating his stage triumph as the titular monarch and proving to moviegoers that bald can be beautiful. It's Brynner's proud king that provides the fulcrum to the plot, and it's Brynner himself, with his piercing gaze and graceful physicality, that demands our attention.
The story line, adapted from an earlier, nonmusical stage hit, follows widowed English teacher Anna Leonowens (Deborah Kerr) to her new posting as tutor to the Siamese king's formidable mob of children. The collision of East and West affords its winning mixture of drama and humor, and the warm friendship that grows between the king and the patrician teacher provides a poignant, unfulfilled romance between the two wary protagonists. Into this framework, the composers insert a superb score, echoing Asian motifs, as well as a bouquet of lovely songs including "Hello, Young Lovers," "Shall We Dance," and two ensemble pieces for Anna and the royal children ("Getting to Know You" and "I Whistle a Happy Tune") that suggest prototypes for Rodgers & Hammerstein's later hit, The Sound of Music.
For this 1956 production, 20th Century Fox lavished stereophonic sound, widescreen cinematography, intricate production design, and stunning sets. Technically, this newly mastered THX version is the best-looking and -sounding King yet to hit video. But, regardless of format, the glorious music is reason enough to hit "play." --Sam Sutherland
Description of The King and I:
The third Rodgers & Hammerstein Broadway hit to go before the cameras, The King and I boasts a career-making performance from Yul Brynner, repeating his stage triumph as the titular monarch and proving to moviegoers that bald can be beautiful. It's Brynner's proud king that provides the fulcrum to the plot, and it's Brynner himself, with his piercing gaze and graceful physicality, that demands our attention.
The story line, adapted from an earlier, nonmusical stage hit, follows widowed English teacher Anna Leonowens (Deborah Kerr) to her new posting as tutor to the Siamese king's formidable mob of children. The collision of East and West affords its winning mixture of drama and humor, and the warm friendship that grows between the king and the patrician teacher provides a poignant, unfulfilled romance between the two wary protagonists. Into this framework, the composers insert a superb score, echoing Asian motifs, as well as a bouquet of lovely songs including "Hello, Young Lovers," "Shall We Dance," and two ensemble pieces for Anna and the royal children ("Getting to Know You" and "I Whistle a Happy Tune") that suggest prototypes for Rodgers & Hammerstein's later hit, The Sound of Music.
For this 1956 production, 20th Century Fox lavished stereophonic sound, widescreen cinematography, intricate production design, and stunning sets. Technically, this newly mastered THX version is the best-looking and -sounding King yet to hit video, but in its full-frame, pan-and- scan version the formatting downsizes far too much of the splendor, losing some sharpness to the imagery. For viewing on all but the smallest screens, the widescreen edition is vastly superior. But, in either version, the glorious music is reason enough to hit "play." --Sam Sutherland
The King and I Reviews:
Classic love story 
2008-12-15 - I've known this movie my entire life and it definitely has stood the test of time. Although remakes have been made over the years nothing can ever compare to this original. It truly is a sad love story of two who could never be together.
One of the Great Film Musicals of All Time!
2008-11-26 - I lived in Thailand for 2 1/2 years in the 1990's. It was a very nice time indeed. I know that this is not good history for Thailand and in fact the film is banned in Thailand (but a bootleg copy can be found on every street corner) because of the poor history and light on it's great king, King Mongkut. To me as an American, I can see the brilliance of a Rogers and Hammerstein Musical and enjoy its wonderful story and entertainment, it is different for a Thai person. Still the art is there and I find it highly enjoyable. I grew up with this musical and find it beautiful. Debra Kerr and Yul Brynner round out a perfect cast with Rita Moreno as TupTim. The story, sets, song and acting are nearly perfect. I wish the story was more accurate but it might have taken away from the magical fantasy of the place too. In actuality, King Mongkut was a great modernizer of Siam and was known as being very well educated and good to the people. He was not raised to the King, his older brother was but as a Buddhist monk. He was 46 when he ascended the throne and still had many wives and children to show for it. His son King Chulalongkorn continued the modernization of Siam and is considered of the greatest kings also. The Thai revere them and don't like them made to look ridiculous like disbelieving there is snow or dying because of a broken heart. King Mongkut actually did write Abraham Lincoln and offer him elephants to use in the Civil War though! Fascinating history.
Show Your Children This Movie! Highly Recommended
2008-11-10 - They don't make movies like the "The King and I" anymore. This movie is one of the classics that we sit down with our kids and watch once a year or so.
The plot is a solid telling of extream culture clash, pride, and love... all wrapped up the some of the best music and dancing ever put on film ("Shall We Dance" is one of the most memorable things I have ever seen). The acting is top rate and the sets are fantastic.
Don't miss this one and share it with your kids, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
The King and I..a classic!
2008-10-29 - I have loved "The King and I" ever since I was a young girl and my mother took me to see it in the movies. This DVD is wonderful, although some of the personal details about Yul Brynner seem in error, according to the book his son wrote shortly after his death. He never had a lung removed and he was born in 1920, not 1915, but other than that the commentary is great and the movie itself is timeless.
I highly recommend this DVD to anyone who loves this musical, all musicals, Yul Brynner or all of the above!
A Classic Favorite
2008-10-13 - This has to be my most favorite musical of all time.
This movie has everything... etc., etc., etc.!!!
