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Anna and the King

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Anna and the King is a 1999 film that recounts the story of the romance between the King of Siam (now Thailand) and widowed British schoolteacher, Anna Leonowens, during the 1860s

Directed by Andy Tennant. Written by Steve Meerson and Peter Krikes, based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon.

Prince Chulalongkorn

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  • She was the first English woman I had ever met. And it seemed to me she knew more about the world than anyone. But it was a world Siam was afraid would consume them. The monsoon winds had whispered her arrival like a coming storm. Some welcomed the rain, but others feared a raging flood. Still she came, unaware of the suspicion that preceded her. But it wasn't until years later, that I began to appreciate how brave she was, and how alone she must have felt. An English woman. The first I had ever met.
  • I was only a boy, but the image of my father holding the woman he loved for the last time has remained with me throughout the years.
  • It is always surprising how small a part of life is taken up by meaningful moments. Most often they are over before they start, although they cast a light on the future and make the person who originated them unforgettable. Anna had shined such a light on Siam.

Anna Leonowens

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  • In my letter confirming my employment, Your Majesty, you claimed you wanted Siam to take its place among the nations of the modern world. You spoke of building something greater than yourself. A country where no man is above the law. Which is why I chose to come here.
  • [to King Mongkut] Life is... precious, especially if you're a Christian and only allowed to have one.
  • Most people do not see the world as it is. They see it as they are.
  • Everyone should have legends. It allows us to dream.

King Mongkut

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  • [to Anna] When a woman who has much to say says nothing, her silence can be deafening.

Dialogue

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King Mongkut: You are teacher?
Anna Leonowens: Yes, Your Majesty, I am.
King Mongkut: You do not look sufficient of age for scientific teaching. How many years have you?
Anna Leonowens: Enough to know that age and wisdom do not necessarily go hand in hand, Your Majesty.
King Mongkut: I have never danced with a English woman before.
Anna Leonowens: Nor I with a king.
Beebe: How was the King compared to the other Englishmen?
Anna Leonowens: He was charming, very charming. I don't think I will ever forget, how he held his hand out to me, like I was...
Beebe: One of his 26 wives?
Anna Leonowens [A bit distraught]: Thank you Beebe, I never thought of it in that way.
Beebe [Knowingly]: Perhaps you should.
Anna Leonowens: My mind has taken me down many roads of late. All of which lead absolutely nowhere. What would Buddha say of that?
King Mongkut: That roads are for journeys, ma'am, not destinations.
Prince Chulalongkorn: Son of teacher forgets that I am son of King.
Louis Leonowens: Son of teacher couldn't care less.
Anna Leonowens: Louis, remember what I told you.
Louis Leonowens: I'm sorry Mother, but he started it.
Prince Chulalongkorn: In my country, man never tell a woman he is sorry. If you had father, you would know this.
Louis Leonowens: You don't have a father, you have a map.
[Louis pushes the prince.]
Anna Leonowens: Louis!
Prince Chulalongkorn: It is forbidden to touch royalty.
Louis Leonowens: I didn't touch you — I shoved you. Why don't you get one of your servants to shove me back?
Louis: Moonshee, why does the king have so many wives?
Moonshee: That is an excellent question — For your mother.
Anna Leonowens: Lord Bradley, may I have a moment?
Lord Bradley: I'm afraid a moment is all we have.
Lady Bradley: We're leaving on the next boat, and so should you.
Anna Leonowens: My place is here.
Lord Bradley: Your question?
Anna Leonowens: Are the British behind these Burmese attacks?
Mr. Kincaid: Stick to teaching, Ms. Leonowens. It's clear that you know nothing of pollitics.
Anna Leonowens: I know that Burma would never make a move without England's blessing.
Lord Bradley: Precisely. But, if our economy was threatened, then it would be our duty to protect our interests.
Anna Leonowens: Our economy?! Our interests?!
Lady Bradley: The ways of England are the ways of the world, my dear.
Anna Leonowens: Yes, a world that I am ashamed to call my own!
Lord Bradley: You forget yourself madam. Now if you will excuse us.
[They turn to leave]
Anna Leonowens: No, I will not. You toasted him! You praised him for his learning! And all the while you were planning to take the throne from him!
Lord Bradley: Well, you should do well to remember your own self, next time you are cheek to cheek with the king!
King Mongkut: If Alak crosses the bridge, everything I love will die.
Anna Leonowens: But they are only children!
King Mongkut: Yes, and heirs to the royal throne.
Anna Leonowens: What will you do?
King Mongkut: We will blow up the bridge.
Anna Leonowens: Will that work?
King Mongkut: It will, if he is on it.
Anna Leonowens: Your Majesty, promise me, promise me I will see you again!
[King turns and looks at Anna]
King Mongkut: If your Bible is correct, then the world was created in seven days. Who is to say that four men can not stop an army?
[The King puts his hand on Anna's cheek hesitantly, then walks away.]
Anna Leonowens: You have the power to lead your people...
King Mongkut: Now is not the time to change the way that things are done!
Anna Leonowens: Well, if not now, then when? How many more people must die so that you might save face?
King Mongkut [Coming back alive]: Why did you not take everyone to the monastery like king ordered!?
Anna Leonowens: Because I already lost one man to the jungle, your majesty... I wasn't about to let it happen again.
King Mongkut: Why did you come back?
Anna Leonowens: Because I could not imagine a Siam without you.
Anna Leonowens: [Gazing at the King on a balcony] What?
King Mongkut: Am wondering, giving circumstances, if it is proper for king to ask Anna to dance.
Anna Leonowens: I have danced with a king before, Your Majesty.
King Mongkut: And I with an English woman.
[They start to dance, and he pulls her close]
King Mongkut: Until now, Madame Leonowens, I did not understand supposition, man can be satisfied with only one woman.
[He kisses her hand, and they dance closer.]

Cast

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