Search - Anna and the King [Fullscreen] on DVD

Anna and the King [Fullscreen]

Actor(s): Jodie Foster, Chow Yun-Fat, Bai Ling, Tom Felton, Syed Alwi
Director(s): Andy Tennant
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Movie Details

MPAA Rating: PG-13
Content Advisory: Violence
Movie Release: 1999
DVD Release: 05/21/2002
Format: DVD - Pan and Scan
Audio Tracks: English, French, Spanish
Subtitles: English, Spanish
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 2 hrs 27 mins
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Total Copies: 1
Genres: Epic, Romance, Period Film, Romantic Epic
See Also: Anna and the King [Widescreen], Anna and the King [Spanish], Anna and the King [Widescreen] [Special Edition]

DVD Synopsis

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. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Actors

Jodie Foster - Anna Leonowens
Chow Yun-Fat - King Mongkut
Bai Ling - Tuptim
Tom Felton - Louis
Syed Alwi - The Kralahome

Editorial Review of DVD

Andy Tennant's Anna and the King comes to DVD with a standard full-frame transfer that fails to preserve the original theatrical aspect ratio of the film. Caleb Deschanel's stunning cinematography is one of the film's highlights, making the lack of a widescreen image a major hindrance. A closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1, while French and Spanish soundtracks have been recorded in Dolby Digital Surround. English and Spanish subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a commentary track recorded by the director, a half-dozen deleted scenes, five different featurettes, a trailer, and a music video. Although this disc is fine for what it is, a widescreen edition of the film is available and is far preferable to this full-screen release. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Member Movie Reviews

Aimee M. (AimeeM) wrote on 3/2/2008...

0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I do like this version because of the great acting of Jodie Foster. It is a typical tear-jerker and it is a little intense at times.

Parents should be aware that there are some pretty graphic scenes, such as a man breaking his leg by jumping out a window. Samarai type violence is seen as well, and a young girl dies (due to illness).

(Spoiler)
You do not see the king die in this version (as he did in real life, and in the classic Rogers and Hammerstein version) but you get the impression that he dies shortly after.