Overview
A teacher's journey in a foreign land leads to unexpected alliances and a forbidden romance.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Slow
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- earnest
- romantic
- sentimental
- historical film night
- romantic drama evening
What critics said
Critics broadly agreed that the film's beautiful cinematography and sympathetic performances were undermined by its excessive length and dull pacing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Anna becomes involved in King Mongkut's efforts to forge an alliance with Britain amid a British-orchestrated war with Burma.
Anna and King Mongkut develop a subtle romance within the formal constraints of the Siamese palace.
The film's palace setting, ornate court world, and highly praised cinematography create its principal visual identity.
English schoolteacher Anna enters the royal household to teach the children of King Mongkut and becomes involved in palace affairs.
Films like Anna and the King, and why
The Last Emperor
Shares a sweeping historical romance, cross-cultural relationship, imperial politics, and lush period production design.
The Painted Veil
Combines a Western outsider entering an Asian royal court with cultural negotiation, political danger, and a restrained romance.
The Mission
Features an outsider confronting palace power, colonial-era politics, and a forbidden or socially constrained romance in an ornate historical setting.
Movie Details
- Director
- Andy Tennant
- Release Date
- 1999-12-16
- Runtime
- 148 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (840)
Cast
- Jodie Foster
- Chow Yun-Fat
- Bai Ling
- Tom Felton
- Syed Alwi
- Randall Duk Kim
- Lim Kay Siu
- Melissa Campbell
- Keith Chin
- Mano Maniam
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Anna and the King about?
- An English schoolteacher navigates Siamese court politics, colonial pressure, and an impossible romance with its king.
- What is Anna and the King like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Anna and the King as slow, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Anna and the King violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Anna and the King as mild.
- What did critics think of Anna and the King?
- Critics broadly agreed that the film's beautiful cinematography and sympathetic performances were undermined by its excessive length and dull pacing.
- Which films are like Anna and the King?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Emperor, The Painted Veil, and The Mission.
- How long is Anna and the King?
- Anna and the King runs 148 minutes.
- Where can I watch Anna and the King?
- In United States, Anna and the King is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
