Because we are dedicated to honest customer opinions Anna And The King (DVD), we have also included Amazon's customer reviews for this item (of which 6 are displayed below). Amazon customers have given Anna And The King an average rating of 4.0/5.
Top Amazon Review
What's a director to do? Andy Tennant's previous film was the highly enjoyable Cinderella romance Ever After, which vanished from theatres and became a video hit. Then Tennant made this gorgeous, non-musical version of Anna and the King, and once again felt the sting of box-office failure. Both films deserved better, and this Anna is certain to eventually find the appreciative audience that eluded it in the cinemas. In many ways, this delightful costume romance transcends the latter-day quaintness of The King and I to offer a more lavish and rewarding version of the story of Anna Leonowens, based on her diaries and first told in Margaret Landon's 1944 novel. In an otherwise admirable performance (although many felt her miscast), Jodie Foster struggles with her Victorian accent as Anna, the grieving widow who arrives in Siam in 1860 with her young son. Having accepted a post as tutor for the many children of the polygamous King Mongkut (Chow Yun-Fat), Anna finds herself drawn to the progressive monarch, whose passions swirl in a turbulent political climate. If the chemistry isn't entirely there, this culture clash still has plenty of regal charm, and Luciana Arrighi's production design is appropriately magnificent. Humour and politics are given equal measure, and Chow Yun-Fat is arguably the most endearing king to date--powerful yet tender, forceful but anguished by the heavier burdens of leadership. Bai Ling's intense performance as the tragic lover Tuptim adds emotional depth to one of the most underrated films of 1999.
Customer Review 1
Slightly disappointing. Despite a lavish and costly production with dozens of elephants and a purpose built set this film feels too long and doesn't grip. Jodie Foster plays the part impeccably but her character is hard to like and there is no chemistry between her and the King. The story is a bit formulaic and left me feeling flat. Although it strains to achieve a sense of the period and an exotic location there is something stagey and stiff about this film.
Customer Review 2
Foster excels. One thing that should be noted about Foster's performance is her deftness in playing an English woman. There are only three well-known actresses who can successfully portray characters with different accents than their own. One is Gwyneth Paltrow, the second is Meryl Streep and the other is Jodie Foster. These rare and very enviable skills can be seen most clearly in Shakespeare In Love, Out of Africa, and Anna and the King, respectively. Foster is perfect as the widowed English mother who takes upon herself the task of educating the King's many children.
Customer Review 3
Ultimately loses site of the plot by over reaching.. Despite Jodie Foster being my favourite actress and Chow Yung Fat being one of my favourite actors this movie just doesnt feel right. There are some genuinely great moments but you get the sense the makers were trying for it to be too grand and missed the point. Worth watching but be prepared for some disappointment
Customer Review 4
Simply a delightful story. After losing her husband in the jungle of India, Anna Leonowens embarks in a journey that will take her to Siam, where she will tutor the oldest son of King Mongkut. Her son, Louis, and two Hindu servants accompany her in this new endeavor. As soon as Anna sets foot in Bangkok, the difference between cultures surges as a predominant element that will remain present throughout the story. Even though the start is rocky, with Anna being called "Sir" for misogynist reasons and not being given the house she was promised but accommodation in the palace instead, the king discovers quickly the value of this woman that acts very different from what he is used to. That is why he decides that instead of tutoring his oldest son, she will be in charge of teaching all of his children...all 58 of them!The movie evolves around three clear themes. First, the clash of cultures, which is enlightening and entertaining and as the movie evolves so does the acceptance and admiration each of the characters show for the positive points of the other's culture. Second, the relationship between Anna and the king, which starts as annoyance, moves to respect and continues developing from there. Third, the political atmosphere, which is characterized by attacks to Siamese people by Burmese armies, suspected to be supported by no other than the British Empire (the events unfold in 1862).Although the movie is rather long, the events unfold at a pace that keeps the viewer interested at all times. The music fits the mood of the action perfectly well, and in the proper scenes it is so uplifting that it steals the attention of the viewer. Jodie Foster delivers a well-rounded role, but in my opinion the performance of Chow Yun-Fat is at a higher level. Finally, the scenery and the palaces where the movie develops are absolutely amazing.Overall this is a highly enjoyable movie that will leave you thinking for a while about how every culture has its positive aspects and how, with a little patience, everyone can learn to appreciate this.
Customer Review 5
An absolute masterpiece!. Andy Tennant directs Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat in the true-life story of Anna Leonowens - her adventures in Siam and her relationship with King Mongkut. Although artistic licence has been taken regarding the possibility that she had a romantic liaison with the King (this has never been proved), it is still a wonderful story and well executed. The DVD includes a nice behind the scenes feature with an in-depth making of the film and interviews with the cast. It is nicely packaged and easy to use. Worth the money.
