Anna and the King

This is the fourth time the story of Anna Lconowens. Has been told. Originally under the tile of "Anna and the King of Siam" in 1946, then in the musical format of "The King and I" in 1956 then in 1999 an animated version with the same title.

Anna (Jodie Foster) is an English schoolteacher who came to Siam in the 1860s, with her son when her husband dies. She is employed to teach the children of King Mongkut (Chow Yun-Fat).

She becomes involved in his affairs, from the tragic plight of a young concubine (Bai Ling) to trying to forge an alliance with Britain to a war with Burma that is orchestrated by Britain.

Initially they are they are at odds with each other, Anna being strong headed, terribly English women and the King not use to women confronting him in the manner he treats his children, or runs his country.

They slowly find a common ground and join forces when the country's autonomy becomes threatened by a British imperialists. A subtle romance develops between them, despite bring kept apart by cultural differences.

This film does more to explore the western powers role in Asia and includes the concubine sub plot. This gives the film more substance than the musical.

The performances are wonderful with Jodie Foster using an oddly effective clipped British accent, is a women remaining strong for her son in the wake of his father's death.

While Chow Yun-Fat gives the impression that he is a conscientious monarch shackled to tradition and religion, yet committed to modernising his country without sacrificing its independence or cultural independence.

The film was shot in Malaysia on one of the biggest sets ever built. The Kings palace covered an area ot' over eight acres.

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