The King and I [2 Discs]

The King and I [2 Discs]

Director: Walter Lang Cast: Yul Brynner
Yul Brynner
, Deborah Kerr
Deborah Kerr
, Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno
, Terry Saunders
Terry Saunders
Walter Lang
The King and I [2 Discs]

The King and I [2 Discs]

Director: Walter Lang Cast: Yul Brynner
Yul Brynner
, Deborah Kerr
Deborah Kerr
, Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno
, Terry Saunders
Terry Saunders
Walter Lang

DVD

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Overview

The King and I, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's 1951 Broadway musical hit, was based on Margaret Landon's book Anna and the King of Siam. Since 20th-Century-Fox had made a film version of the Landon book in 1946, that studio had first dibs on the movie adaptation of The King and I. Deborah Kerr plays English widow Anna Leonowens, who comes to Siam in the 1860s to tutor the many wives and children of the country's progressive King (Yul Brynner, recreating his Broadway role-and winning an Oscar in the process). The culture clash between Anna and the King is but one aspect of their multilayered relationship. Through Anna, the King learns the refineries and responsibilities of "modern" western civilization; Anna meanwhile comes to realize how important it is for an Oriental ruler to maintain his pride and to uphold the customs of his people. After a successful evening entertaining foreign dignitaries, Anna and the King celebrate with an energetic dance, but this is cut short by a bitter quarrel over the cruel punishment of the King's new Burmese wife Tuptim (Rita Moreno), who has dared to fall in love with someone else. Despite the many rifts between them, Anna and the monarch come to respect and (to a degree) love one another. When the King dies, Anna agrees to stay on to offer help and advice to the new ruler of Siam, young Prince Chulalongkhorn (Patrick Adiarte). In general, The King and I tends to be somewhat stagey, with the notable exception of the matchless "Small House of Uncle Thomas" ballet, which utilizes the Cinemascope 55 format to best advantage (the process also does a nice job of "handling" Deborah Kerr's voluminous hoopskirts). Most of the Broadway version's best songs ("Getting to Know You", "Whistle a Happy Tune", "A Puzzlement", "Shall We Dance" etc.) are retained. None of the omissions are particularly regrettable, save for Anna's solo "Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?" This feisty attack on the King's chauvinism was specially written to suit the talents of Gertrude Lawrence, who played Anna in the original production; the song was cut from the film because it made Deborah Kerr seem "too bitchy" (Kerr's singing, incidentally, is dubbed for the most part by the ubiquitous Marni Nixon). When all is said and done, the principal attraction of The King and I is Yul Brynner, in the role that made him a star and with which he will forever be identified.

Product Details

Release Date: 01/31/2017
UPC: 0024543346517
Original Release: 1956
Rating: G
Source: BUENA VISTA HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Region Code: 1
Sound: [Dolby Digital Mono, Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language: English
Time: 2:13:00

Special Features

Closed Caption; Disc 1; Songs-Only Option; Sing-Along Subtitles (English); Disc 2; 6 Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes; Vintage Stage Excerpts; Stills and Audio from Deleted Number:; "Shall I Tell You What I Think Of You?" Performed by Deborah Kerr and Mami Nixon; Anna and the King TV Pilot; Fox Movietone News Including Charity Premiere; and Yul Brynner Oscar Clip

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Yul Brynner King Mongkut of Siam
Deborah Kerr Anna Leonowens
Rita Moreno Tuptim
Terry Saunders Lady Thiang
Martin Benson Kralahome
Rex Thompson Louis Leonowens
Carlos Rivas Lun Tha
Patrick Adiarte Prince Chulalongkorn
Alan Mowbray Sir John Hay
Geoffrey Toone Sir Edward Ramsay
Yuriko Eliza
Marion Jim Simon Legree
Robert Banas Keeper of the Dogs
Dusty Worrall Uncle Thomas
Gemze de Lappe Specialty Dancer
Thomas Bonilla Twin,Twin
Michiko Iseri Angel in Ballet
Charles Irwin Ship's Captain
Leonard Strong Interpreter
Irene James Siamese Girl
Fuji Whipping Guard
Weaver Levy Whipping Guard
William Yip High Priest
Eddie Luke Messenger
Josephine Smith Guest at Palace
Jocelyn New Princess Ying Yoowalak
Leo Abbey Guard
Jerry Chien Royal Child
Judy Dan Royal Wife
Maureen Hingert Royal Wife
Dick Kay Hong Royal Child
Gernze de Lappe Specialty Dancer
Jadin Wong Amazon,Amazon
Thomas and Dennis Bonifla Twins
Marni Nixon Anna (singing)
Alfred Newman Composer
Ken Darby Composer
Rodgers & Hammerstein Composer
Richard Rodgers Composer

Technical Credits
Walter Lang Director
Ernest Lehman Screenwriter
Carlton W. Faulkner Sound Editor
Charles Brackett Producer
Oscar Hammerstein II Screenwriter
Margaret Landon Screenwriter
Darryl F. Zanuck Executive Producer
Ray Kellogg Special Effects
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