I rarely review a film which has already been covered this many time. However, I'll make an exception here because I visited and lived in Thailand for a total of nearly 4 years.
It's difficult to make a judgment about this film because there are so many ways to look at it.
For example, the story of Anna Leonowens is very basically true. She was the teaching governess of King Mongkut's children, and she certainly had a significant influence on Prince (and later) King Chulalongkorn; during a visit to Europe as an adult, he visited her long after her departure from Siam/Thailand. However, it is very unlikely that she had any undue influence on old King Mongkut, and it was certainly nothing like this film (or "The King & I") portrays. There is little, if any, evidence that there was a concubine named Tuptim or that that subplot has any truth to it. Nevertheless, it's a "fun" story to see...as fiction often is. Here I would say 30% history, 70% fiction. Additionally, I may be wrong, but I don't recall in Thai history King Mongkut's brother being killed as depicted in the film.
In terms of the sets, the film must be judged very differently. They are magnificent and, for the most part, remarkably accurate. King Mongkut's throne room was not that large, but aside from that I would have to give the sets an A+.
On the other hand, in terms of settings, the producers and directors were not as accurate. I've been most of the places depicted here, and other than in the Three Pagoda Pass and Nong Khai, all the other sites (Bangkok/Krung Thep; the seaside palace; and Anna's house) there are NO mountains, just the flat flood plain of the Chao Phrya River.
But, while I am not fluent in Thai, I speak a bit of it, and much of the dialog was very well spoken Thai language. Some of the extras did not look Thai to me.
Jodie Foster did a fine job of Anna Leonowens. Some have criticized her British accent, and I can't speak to that. But her acting was very good. Chow Yun-Fat, as King Mongkut, was fine, although if you look up photos of King Mongkut, you'll find he was actually a very homely man (and that's putting it politely). Other primary supporting actors did a very reasonable job.
So, overall, I give this film fairly good marks, although certainly not for historical accuracy. For entertainment value, it's well done.
It's difficult to make a judgment about this film because there are so many ways to look at it.
For example, the story of Anna Leonowens is very basically true. She was the teaching governess of King Mongkut's children, and she certainly had a significant influence on Prince (and later) King Chulalongkorn; during a visit to Europe as an adult, he visited her long after her departure from Siam/Thailand. However, it is very unlikely that she had any undue influence on old King Mongkut, and it was certainly nothing like this film (or "The King & I") portrays. There is little, if any, evidence that there was a concubine named Tuptim or that that subplot has any truth to it. Nevertheless, it's a "fun" story to see...as fiction often is. Here I would say 30% history, 70% fiction. Additionally, I may be wrong, but I don't recall in Thai history King Mongkut's brother being killed as depicted in the film.
In terms of the sets, the film must be judged very differently. They are magnificent and, for the most part, remarkably accurate. King Mongkut's throne room was not that large, but aside from that I would have to give the sets an A+.
On the other hand, in terms of settings, the producers and directors were not as accurate. I've been most of the places depicted here, and other than in the Three Pagoda Pass and Nong Khai, all the other sites (Bangkok/Krung Thep; the seaside palace; and Anna's house) there are NO mountains, just the flat flood plain of the Chao Phrya River.
But, while I am not fluent in Thai, I speak a bit of it, and much of the dialog was very well spoken Thai language. Some of the extras did not look Thai to me.
Jodie Foster did a fine job of Anna Leonowens. Some have criticized her British accent, and I can't speak to that. But her acting was very good. Chow Yun-Fat, as King Mongkut, was fine, although if you look up photos of King Mongkut, you'll find he was actually a very homely man (and that's putting it politely). Other primary supporting actors did a very reasonable job.
So, overall, I give this film fairly good marks, although certainly not for historical accuracy. For entertainment value, it's well done.