Memorable quotes for
Anna and the King (1999) More at IMDbPro »

King Mongkut: I never danced with an Englishwoman before, mem.
Anna Leonowens: Nor I with a king.

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[last lines]
King Chulalongkorn: It is always surprising how small a part of life is taken up by meaningful moments. Most often they are over before they start although they cast a light on the future and make the person who originated them unforgettable. Anna had shined such a light on Siam.

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King Mongkut: [to Anna] When a woman who has much to say says nothing, her silence can be deafening.

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Louis Leonowens: [to Anna] Mother, what's a concubine?

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Anna Leonowens: [to King Mongkut] Life is... precious, especially if you're a Christian and only allowed to have one.

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Prince Chulalongkorn: Son of teacher is forgetting I am son of King.
Louis Leonowens: Son of teacher couldn't care less.
Prince Chulalongkorn: You will sit somewhere else!
Louis Leonowens: I will not!
Anna Leonowens: Louis, remember what I told you.
Louis Leonowens: I'm sorry Mother, but he started it.
Prince Chulalongkorn: In my country, man never tell a woman he is sorry about anything... ever! If you had father, you would know that.
Louis Leonowens: You don't have a father! You have a map!
[Louis pushes the prince]
Louis Leonowens: Louis!
Prince Chulalongkorn: It is forbidden to touch royalty!
Louis Leonowens: I didn't touch you!- I shoved you! Why don't you get one of your servants to shove me back?

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Louis Leonowens: Moonshee, why does the king have so many wives?
Moonshee, Leonowens' Indian Servant: That is an excellent question. For your mother

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Tuptim: [to Anna] If love was a choice, who would ever choose such exquisite pain?

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Tuptim: I remember my first rice festival. People come from everywhere to see king. He bless all crops, and it begin to rain. I think he was a God.
Anna Leonowens: And now?
Tuptim: He is also a man.

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Anna Leonowens: I would like to know why... , if science can unravel something as beautiful as music... , why it cannot posit a solution for a schoolteacher and a king.
King Mongkut: The manner in which people might understand such new possibilities is also process of evolution.
Anna Leonowens: Everything in Siam has it's own time.

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Anna Leonowens: You have the power to lead your people...
King Mongkut: Now is not the time to change the way that things are done!
Anna Leonowens: Well, if not now, then when? How many more people must die so that you might save face?

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[first lines]
King Chulalongkorn: She was the first English woman I had ever met. And it seemed to me she knew more about the world than anyone. But it was a world Siam was afraid would consume them. The monsoon winds had whispered her arrival like a coming storm. Some welcomed the rain, but others feared a raging flood. Still she came, unaware of the suspicion that preceded her. But it wasn't until years later, that I began to appreciate how brave she was, and how alone she must have felt. An English woman. The first I had ever met.

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Interpreter: Sir is married?
Anna Leonowens: A widow. Can you please explain to me why you call me "Sir"?
Interpreter: Women do not stand in the presence of His Excellency.

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The Kralahome, Prime Minister: When presented to His Majesty, you and son will remember to touch forehead to floor.
Anna Leonowens: Your Excellency, although we have become better acquainted with your customs, we have certainly not forgotten our own.
The Kralahome, Prime Minister: Then how will you greet him?
Anna Leonowens: With the utmost respect.

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King Mongkut: You are teacher?
Anna Leonowens: Yes, Your Majesty, I am.
King Mongkut: You do not look sufficient of age for scientific teaching. How many years have you?
Anna Leonowens: Enough to know that age and wisdom do not necessarily go hand in hand, Your Majesty.

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King Mongkut: [to Anna and Louis] The Royal Family: Twenty three wives, forty two concubines, fifty eight offspring, and ten more on the way. Each one unique. Each one my hope for the future. I understand your surprise. Not as many as the Emperor of China, but he did not spend half of life in monastery. King making up for lost time.

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King Mongkut: Presenting original pupil and heir apparent. Prince Chulalongkorn.
[to the Prince]
King Mongkut: This, my son, is your new teacher.
Anna Leonowens: It is a great honor, Your Highness.

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The Kralahome, Prime Minister: Heir to throne must never be involved in issue of bond-servent. It will resolve itself in time.
Anna Leonowens: Like my house?
The Kralahome, Prime Minister: You are learning.

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Anna Leonowens: In my letter confirming my employment, Your Majesty, you claimed you wanted Siam to take its place among the nations of the modern world. You spoke of building something greater than yourself. A country where no man is above the law. Which is why I chose to come here.

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The Kralahome, Prime Minister: Your Majesty, I believe there has been enough insult caused by this woman who believes herself to be the equal of a man.
King Mongkut: Not the equal of a man, Chao Phya. The equal of a King.

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Anna Leonowens: [to King Mongkut] You cannot shut the world out forever. Believe me, I've tried.

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Anna Leonowens: [to Lord Bradley] You raised your glass to him. You commended him for his vision. All the while, you were waiting to take his country from him.

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King Mongkut: Why did you come back?
Anna Leonowens: Because I could not imagine a Siam without you.

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Anna Leonowens: [to King Mongkut] Your Majesty, promise me... Promise me that I will see you again.

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General Alak: [from trailer]
[to King Mongkut]
General Alak: These are dangerous times, Your Majesty. A foreigner’s influence will be equally sore.

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Anna Leonowens: [to King Mongkut] Why are you doing this?

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Tuptim: How did Mem survive?
Anna Leonowens: The same way you will. One awful day at a time.

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King Mongkut: [to Princess Fa-ying] I will be there in your dreams, as you will be in mine

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Anna Leonowens: Most people do not see the world as it is. They see it as they are.

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