English widow Anna Leonowens travels to Siam in 1862 to tutor the children of King Mongkut. Their script is based on the diaries of one of the title characters, Anna Leonowens. However, Anna finds the time is nigh for her to experience culture shock.
Women are totally subjugated, the king's rule is absolute, diplomacy usually means war.
And neither is about to let the other inside. The dynamic of their relationship is the heart of the film. Their waltz during a palatial reception is a perfect melding of fire and ice into something of warmth and intimacy. Foster is at her finest in this strong-woman role. Yun-Fat is her equal as an imperious ruler who can choose to save face rather than save lives, then weep at human suffering.