The King and I

1956 G 2h 13m DVD

The King and I

1956 G 2h 13m DVD
  • Overview
  • Details
This musical masterpiece tells the true story of Englishwoman Anna Leonowens (Deborah Kerr), who comes to Siam as a teacher to the royal court in the 1860s and finds herself at odds with the stubborn monarch (Yul Brynner). Brynner's Academy Award-winning performance and the unforgettable Rodgers and Hammerstein score, including the songs "Hello, Young Lovers," "Shall We Dance?" and "Getting to Know You," give this film its enduring charm.
Cast
Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr, Rita Moreno, Martin Benson, Terry Saunders, Rex Thompson
Director
Walter Lang
Format
DVD
Screen
Widescreen 2.55:1
Subtitles
Spanish (Neutral)
CC
No
Audio
English: Dolby Digital 5.1, English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround, French: Dolby Digital Mono, Spanish (Neutral): Dolby Digital Mono
Rating
G - All ages admitted. Nothing that would offend parents for viewing by children.
age 8+
Common Sense rating OK for kids 8+
age 8+

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this film characterizes the ancient Asian culture of Siam (now Thailand) as backward and sexist. The king has dozens of wives and hundreds of children, which may bewilder kids. Also confusing, the roles of the main Thai characters are played by white and Latino Americans. But the story's music and enchanting characters are perfect for kids, who are likely to see the king's poor grasp of English as endearing and fun. But older children and adults may find the portrayal of the king racist.

Sexual Content

Some close dancing, but no kissing or sexual behavior. There's a lot of talk, however, about women being "made to please men" and the king has multiple wives. When the Thai ladies are dressed up in European gowns, they "wear practically no undergarments," prompting them, in a moment of shock, to hike their dresses and flash English men. But nothing is seen on screen.

Violence

The king threatens to whip a slave girl who tries to escape to be with her lover. Talk of someone drowning.

Language

Not applicable

Social Behavior

There's a lot of fun made of the king for his poor grasp of English; he's made into a fool. While the film is set in the country know known as Thailand, none of the primary characters is Asian. The king is also sexist, thinking women more "lowly" than men in general, and certainly much lower than him. Many of the songs teach life lessons, like how to deal with fear and how to learn about a new culture.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

The king passes out cigars, though no one smokes onscreen.

  • Age appropriate
  • Not an issue
  • Depends on your child and your family
  • Parents strongly cautioned
  • Not appropriate for kids of the age

This information for parents is provided by Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving kids' media lives.

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