Search - Anna and the King on DVD

A fabulous costume drama

Charity Bishop | 03/21/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Having loathed the movie 'The King and I', from the time I first saw it, I was rather reluctant to sit through another version of this story, but was truly delighted with the new version. Although the source of the film (Anna Leonowens) took great liberties with truth in her diaries, if you disregard that, and approach the film as a grand action/love story, you won't be disappointed. The real surprise of the film was the performance by Chow Yun-Fat as Mongkut. Although I have seen a few of his John Woo films, they didn't do justice to his acting talents. As the King,Yun-Fat portrays a man juggling the problems of modernising a fractured country without antagonising the nobles or submitting to British colonisation. He conveys much with a glance or smile, and his English has improved enormously since "The Replacement Killers". Jodie Foster was also very good, and although her accent seemed a bit Scottish at times, I doubt any other actress could have done as well. When you combine these two actors with an excellent cast of children, a fine script, lavish costumes and breathtaking scenery, how can you lose?"

Captivating story of history, societal change, love.

KH | Wisconsin, USA | 08/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a younger person who's missed many of the "older" movies (like "The King and I") I can only see movies for the works they are -- I do not have older works in my repertoire through which to compare, contrast and filter my viewing experience.Having just viewed Anna & the King both in letterbox and cropped views (I prefer letterbox, though smaller on a screen, the camera work and screenplay are absolutely stunning, and missing these outer details does detract from the mood of the picture), I greatly enjoyed the storyline, the actors, and the cinematography.Admittedly Jodie Foster's English accent is a bit forced, but I commend her ability to retain it consistently throughout the picture (as opposed to some actors who've been unable to do so, regardless, they did receive outstanding reviews for their performance, nonnative accent notwithstanding). I felt Jodie's portrayal as being prim and well-educated was very accurate given the time period -- what is considered acceptable today would have been considered absolutely abhorrent in Anna's time. We seem to forget that so many things considered perfectly fine today, simply weren't done in the mid-1800's, particularly in the ultra-traditionalized societies like those of England and Siam (to name two). American attitudes have been long considered far fringe by non-Western societies around the world, both then and today.I found the choice of actors for Siam characters to be appropriate and believable. The character portrayals were deep and true. I felt as though I was watching people, getting to know them, not watching actors playing roles. The transitions of time and space were effective and I didn't find myself yearning for "missed pieces." The love story caught me by surprise. I found it deeply moving and the tension between Anna, and the King, and the careful play of the King's other wives, to be wonderful. I strained to hear every word and catch every expression. I appreciated the dialog and found the scenes well-written, appropriately succinct and yet adequately played to offer a "newcomer" like me an appreciation of the many issues which underlay the story. This movie tugged at my heartstrings, as I watched these people and families grow and come to love together, and I was moved to tears repeatedly. Watching a deep love grow between Anna and the King, a love borne of respect and intelligence and attraction, watching them balance their societal dictates with the concerns of country, politics and their feelings for one another -- and of course all those beautiful children -- was like watching a gentle dance of butterflies on a summer's breeze. I felt it was beautifully written and beautifully played. I give it a "thumbs up" for the actors, directorship, costuming and cinematography. Definitely a movie worth seeing!"