Anna and the King of Siam

Not one moment of Anna and the King of Siam, is banal. Rather, it is exciting, honest and memorable theater.

Before it became a popular musical with Yul Brynner, Margaret Landon's book about the British Governess was a skillful, well acted melodrama by Rex Harrison (in his Hollywood debut) and Irene Dunne.

Predating "The King and I," and just as entertaining, minus the music.

This is quite an under-rated gem of a film; depicting a far grittier and more authentic interpretation of the diary of Anna Leonowens than was reflected in the altogether lighter, more joyous "King and I". Rex Harrison rather woodenly portrays King Mongkut as he works to bring 19th century Siam into the modern world; hoping to improve the lives of his people and at the same time ensuring the continued independence of his nation from the marauding colonial powers at large at the time. Irene Dunne captures wonderfully the stoic determination of the widowed Anna trying to bring her son up as a single parent in a time when that simply wasn't done. Their story isn't one of sentimental love, but of ultimately a trust and inter-reliance that endured. Lee J. Cobb adds value as the Prime Minister and Bernard Hermann's authenticly-sounding score supports John Cromwell's able and quite poignant direction.