Anna and the King is a 1999 biographical drama film loosely based on Anna and the King of Siam, the story of Anna Leonowens, who was an English schoolteacher in Siam, now Thailand, in the 19th century. The film is a remake of Anna and the King of Siam, but differs in many respects from that picture and also from the related musical, The King and I. The film was directed by Andy Tennant and stars Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-fat. It was mostly shot in Malaysia, particularly in the Penang and Ipoh region. It was an Academy Award nominee in 2000 for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. The... film begins by following the story of Anna Leonowens and Rama IV as it is usually told; Anna is a widow who has come to Siam with her son Louis to teach English to the 58 royal children. She is a strong-willed, intelligent woman and this pleases the King, who wants to modernize his country to keep it safe from the threat of colonialism, while protecting many of the ancient traditions that give Siam its unique identity. In order to win the favors of Britain, the King orders a sumptuous reception, and delegates Anna to organize it.
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| Release date: | December 6, 1999 |
| Directed by: | Andy Tennant |
| Rated: |  |
| Runtime: | 148 Minutes |
| Producer: | Lawrence Bender, Ed Elbert |
| Editor: | Roger Bondelli |
| Music by: | George Fenton, Robert Kraft |
| Cinematography: | Caleb Deschanel |
| Screenplay by: | Steve Meerson, Peter Krikes |
| Estimated budget: | $75,000,000 |