The King and I

The King and I is an animated movie from 1999. The film is based loosely on the Margaret Landon novel Anna and the King of Siam. It also uses elements from The King and I Broadway musical. The story follows a young woman, originally from England, who travels to Siam to become the King’s royal schoolteacher in 1862. When the Englishwoman arrives in Siam she realizes that things are very different than what she is used to. The King of Siam and the Englishwoman, Anna Leonowens, disagree on the way that things should be done in the royal academy that Anna Leonowens is teaching at. Eventually Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam find that they can work around their disagreements and problems and they end up getting along well. The film is filled with sing-a-long type songs. The songs fit the spot in the story and often have the characters in the story dancing together. The soundtrack of the film was praised by critics and fans. The animated characters in the film are voiced by well accomplished and fairly well-known actors and actresses. The film is directed by Richard Rich who has done over eighty animated titles. The film received mainly negative views from critics and took the number six spot at the box office opening week. The film is an animated musical, and is geared towards a younger audience. Many of director Richard Rich’s films are for a young audience. Richard Rich’s films often try to teach a moral or positive message while still being entertaining. The message in The King and I is that people from different places think differently, but that we can all learn to be friends. The message comes off strong through the use of the songs in the film.