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Nov 04, 2017Nursebob rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Based on the writings of Anna Leonowen who taught school in the royal court of Siam (Thailand) circa 1860s, Walter Lang's screen adaptation of the popular stage play stars Deborah Kerr and Yul Brenner. When widowed teacher Anna (Kerr) is hired to educate the children of Siamese King Mongkut (Brenner giving his Academy Award performance) her arrival in Bangkok triggers an immediate culture clash as her proper British sensibilities come up against the King's sense of supreme entitlement. Several song and dance segments later---including an Asian take on "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and the now famous pas de deux between Anna and the King---the two arrive at a new understanding, and perhaps more. But whether or not you like this multiple Oscar winner will depend on how you approach it. As a gushing musical it's a winning combination of lush hand-painted sets, exotic costumes, and a barrage of familiar tunes by Rogers & Hammerstein. When it comes to historical accuracy however Leonowens memoirs are hopelessly skewed and, according to some people including the Thai government which banned the film, patently disrespectful. But if you were able to overlook the lie behind "The Sound of Music" you'll like this one too. I did!