Anna and the King of Siam

Anna Owens arrives in Bangkok with her son Louis to tutor the King's children. She receives a letter from the King inviting her to Siam, promising her a house of her own away from the palace, but the Kralahome insists she initially stay in the harem.

Anna visits the Kralahome to meet the King and requests to see the house arrangements. The King introduces her to his many wives and children and insists she live in the palace to be more accessible. She initially rejects a poor house in the fish market.

Anna refuses the modest house and chooses to stay in the palace, where she begins her school for the children of the King. The King gradually consents to her wish for a separate house.

Mongkut, the King, frequently summons Anna at night to discuss scholarly matters, including the Bible. These meetings deepen their understanding and influence each other’s views.

On returning from a session with the King, Anna finds a chained slave named L'Ore and learns she belongs to Lady Tuptim. Despite the law requiring her to be freed, Tuptim refuses to release her, and L'Ore runs away, leading to tension.

The King requests Anna to dress his wives in European fashion and prepare decor for a diplomatic visit. The event showcases a blend of British, European, and Siamese traditions, enhancing Siam’s reputation among foreign visitors.

Lady Tuptim, disguised as a young man, is discovered in a Buddhist temple after running away. Her story of escaping an oppressive life is dismissed as deceit, leading to her and Phra Palat being sentenced to death by burning.

Anna, feeling overwhelmed and disheartened, prepares to leave Siam after the tragic execution of Tuptim and Phra Palat. The royal wives and the Crown Prince plead with her to stay, emphasizing her importance.

Louis dies in a riding accident, deeply affecting Anna. Despite her grief, she agrees to continue her work in educating the prince, focusing on the children and her school rather than her personal loss.

Many years later, Anna is summoned to the bedside of the dying King Mongkut, who expresses his gratitude for her influence and honesty. His death marks the end of an era, and she reflects on her impact.

Following Mongkut's death, Chulalongkorn is crowned and takes steps to modernize Siam by abolishing prostration before the King, promoting mutual respect and efforts toward national progress.