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Poster for The King and I

The King and I

Seen it?

1956 | 133 min | Romance, History, Drama

Friday Night Flick

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (93% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won 5 Oscars, it made about 5 times its budget and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics and history buffs. If you loved The Sound of Music or The Theory of Everything, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 13 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1956: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

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.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    93% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.1 out of 10

  • AwardsVery strong

    Won 5 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Actor, Academy Awards: Best Art Direction – Color, Academy Awards: Best Costume Design – Color, Academy Awards: Best Scoring of a Musical Picture and 1 more. Won 2 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Written American Musical. Also nominated for 4 more Oscars, 2 more Golden Globes and 1 DGA Award. Plus 1 other award.

  • Box office & staying powerStrong

    $21 million worldwide on a $5 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 142K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Walter Lang

  • Deborah KerrAnna Leonowens
  • Yul BrynnerKing Mongkut of Siam
  • Rita MorenoTuptim
  • Martin BensonKralahome
  • Terry SaundersLady Thiang
  • Rex ThompsonLouis Leonowens
  • Carlos RivasLun Tha
  • Patrick AdiartePrince Chulalongkorn
  • Alan MowbrayJohn Hay
  • Geoffrey TooneEdward Ramsay