The King and I (1956 film)

The King and I is a 1956 American musical film directed by Walter Lang, based on the 1951 Rodgers and Hammerstein stage musical of the same name, which in turn was based on Margaret Landon's 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam.

The film stars Deborah Kerr as Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher who travels to Siam (now Thailand) in the 1860s to tutor the children of King Mongkut, played by Yul Brynner. The film explores the cultural clashes and eventual mutual respect that develop between Anna and the King, as well as themes of tradition versus progress, East versus West, and the subjugation of women.

Notable songs from the film include "I Whistle a Happy Tune," "Getting to Know You," "Hello, Young Lovers," "Shall We Dance?" and "Something Wonderful."

The King and I was a critical and commercial success, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Yul Brynner. However, the film has also been subject to criticism for its portrayal of Thai culture and its perceived historical inaccuracies.