The King and I * (1999, voices of Miranda Richardson, Martin Vidnovic, Christiane Noll, Ian Richardson) – Classic Movie Review 2194

Director Richard Rich’s misfiring 1999 animated feature is a disappointing, flatly cartoon version of the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II all-time great 1951 stage and 1956 movie musical triumphs, based on Margaret Landon’s book Anna and the King of Siam. Let’s call it a failed experiment.

The material shows much resistance to this treatment, making for a rather unappealing and pointless animation that, adding cuddly animals, betrays the real story and can’t really properly justify its existence.

Miranda Richardson and Christiane Noll are respectively the speaking and singing voices of Anna and Martin Vidnovic provides the voice of the King of Siam. Ian Richardson is the voice of The Kralahome and Darrell Hammond is Master Little.

Thankfully, at least some of glorious show tune favourites are here, and pleasantly sung, even if they’re re-set in peculiar new situations. Anna starts the rebooted story off by singing `I Whistle a Happy Tune’ while a sea monster attacks her. ‘Hello, Young Lovers’, ‘The March of the Siamese Children’, ‘Shall I Tell You What I Think Of You?’, ‘I Have Dreamed’ and of course ‘Shall We Dance’ follow. The King sings ‘A Puzzlement’ while being attacked by giant statues come to life and the kids sing `Getting to Know You’ while being stalked by a fat midget.

In response to the negative reviews, the Rodgers and Hammerstein estates said there are to be no more animated features based on their musicals. Ted Chapin, president of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization, said in 2009 that allowing this movie to be made was his ‘biggest mistake in terms of granting or denying permission’ to any of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s works.

The original Broadway production opened at the St James Theatre on March 29 1951, ran for 1246 performances and won the 1952 Tony Award for Best Musical.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2194

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