"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've felt." "An English woman, the first I'd ever met." "Mother, come look." "I think they've killed someone!" "Louis, do take care about the railing, honey." "Beebe, Moonshee, gather your things." "It's time we went ashore now." "Come on, Louis." "I still think that we should wait until someone from the palace arrives." "Yes, well, if they were coming, they would've been here already." " Besides, the ship is leaving." " My point exactly." "Good-bye, Mrs. Leonowens." "Uh, watch your step." "Louis?" "Louis." "Pardon me." "Louis, come along, darling." " Mother?" " Yes?" "Why does this king need you if nobody here speaks English?" "Because the ways of England are the ways of the world." "It's a wise man who knows that." "Memsahib, in less than an hour the Newcastle sails, not to return for another month." "Tonight, we shall all sleep in our own beds in our own home, I promise." "Ah, madam, madam, madam, a carriage?" "Where, a carriage?" "Wait, wait." "Ah..." "This way, darling." "This way." "Come on." "What do you suppose he's like, this King Mongkut, hmm?" "Now, I've heard that people used to be forbidden to even look at his face." "They revere him as a god." "You mean like Jesus?" "No, hardly." "But I suppose if he wishes his son to be tutored in the ways of the west, then..." "I should be quite honored." "But why couldn't he just send him to London?" "Then you wouldn't have the chance to learn Siamese, now, would you?" "Gracious me!" "Are we sure this is the right road?" "How would we know?" "If you are not the lead elephant, the scenery never changes." "Mother, look at those statues." "Mem Leonowens, kawrub." "Mrs. Leonowens," "His Excellency Chao Phya Kralahome, the prime minister of Siam." "Have you any friends in Bangkok, sir?" "No." "I know no one here." "Sir is married?" "A widow." "Can you please explain to me why you call me "sir"?" "Women do not stand in the presence of His Excellency." "How long are you in possession of dead husband?" "23 months." "How did he die?" "Can you please convey to His Excellency that my purpose here is as tutor to the king's eldest son, that it is not necessary to ask any more personal questions." "Please." "In Siam, sir... it is custom to first ask questions of personal nature to be polite." "Mr. Prime Minister," "I meant no disrespect." "However, getting here was something of a challenge." "Sir will be shown to palace quarters." "Mem?" "I beg your pardon?" "The king promised us a home outside the palace walls." "It's what was agreed upon." "In Siam, sir, you will learn everything has its own time." "Don't bother unpacking, Moonshee." "It's only for one night." "We shall all be settled to our satisfaction, or we'll be leaving as soon as possible." "Thought we didn't have any money." "That is correct." "but at the moment," "I do not need to be reminded of that." "Sounds like we're living in a beehive." "In the morning, I shall go directly to the king." "A monarch who refuses to keep his word is uncivilized, unenlightened, and, frankly, ungrateful." "There are principles at stake here." "Having a proper British household with some privacy is one of them." "I don't think Siam agrees with you, Memsahib." "Mother, how can it be a proper household?" "You haven't lived in England since you were a little girl, and I've never been there at all." "India is British, Louis." "That's what being colonized is all about." "Father would've put him right in his place." "I'm very sorry I'm not the man your father was." "I'm sorry, Louis." "This is a good opportunity for us, hmm?" "I shall just... try to look at the positive side." "Assuming there is one." "Your father would've." "He was a brave man... wasn't he?" "Yes." "Very." "And most considerate." "Which is more than I can say for this king." "Shall we go find your bed?" "Yeah." "Kralahome:" "Unfortunate your meeting so delayed, sir." "King's obligation reach into every corner of Siam." "Anna:" "Well, it has given me the time to think of many things, Your Excellency, including why you pretended not to speak English." "I have learned it wise to be cautious." "Then I will assume that our speaking now is a great step forward." "Best not to assume too much." "Hmm." "When presented to His Majesty, you and son will remember to touch forehead to floor." "Your Excellency, although we have become better acquainted with your customs, we have certainly not forgotten our own." "Then how will you greet him?" "With the utmost respect." "Mother, are those men" " speaking French?" " Yes?" "Apparently, a warship's run aground where it shouldn't have." "Leroi vous remercie, monsieur." "It appears sir must wait to meet His Majesty another day." "No." "I do not think so." "Come along." "Kralahome:" "Mem Leonowens." "Mem Leonowens!" "Mem, wait!" "Please!" "Your Majesty..." "I am Anna Leonowens." "I'm a school" " Stop!" " Aah!" "Who?" "Who?" "Kralahome:" "Your Majesty," "Mem Anna Leonowens and son Louis." "Anna:" "Your Majesty... we have been kept waiting for nearly 3 weeks." "And although I appreciate that you have issues of...great importance," "I would imagine that your son's education would be far more" "Silence!" "You... are teacher?" "Yes, Your Majesty, I am." "You do not look sufficient of age for scientific teaching." "How many years have you?" "Enough to know that age and wisdom do not necessarily go hand in hand, Your Majesty." "I doubt you would say same for being bold and English." "They are rather inseparable, I'm afraid." "His Majesty has not dismissed you." "Follow him!" "Come along, Louis." "Up, up, up." "Quickly." "Anna:" "Uh, pardon me." "Pardon me." "You articulate logical answer under pressure, Mem Leonowens." "That is very kind of you, Your Majesty." "But irritating superior attitude, King find most unbeautiful." "However, it will serve you well, given decision I now make." "First impressions can often be very misleading." "Along with my eldest son... you shall now teach all my children." "Come." "King Mongkut:" "The royal family." "23 wives... 42 concubines... 58 offspring, and 10 more on the way." "Each one unique, each one my hope for the future." "I understand your surprise." "Not as many as emperor of China, but he did not spend half of life in monastery." "King making up for lost time." "Mother, what's a concubine?" "Shh." "Presenting original pupil and heir apparent" "Prince Chulalongkorn." "This, my son, is your new teacher." "It is a great honor, Your Highness." "He doesn't look too happy about it." "This is a necessary and practical gift" "I give to you, and you must never forget to honor your renowned teacher" "Mem Anna Leonowens." "Ahem!" "Uh..." "Oh." "Must not forget head wife the Lady Thiang." "It is my pleasure that you help make her fine scholar also." "Lady Thiang." "Welcome, Mem teacher." "Prince..." "Thongkon Yai." "Prince Suk Sawat." "Princess Kannika Kaeo." "and Princess Fa-ying." "I'm not princess." "I'm monkey!" "Ha ha!" "My deepest apologies." "I study her in English myself." "Well, Your Majesty," "I am most flattered by your welcome, and I find the opportunity to be in school an exciting one." "Such devotion to progress is to be commended." "Reform is vital for my country's survival." "As tiny feet change, so, too, will Siam." "But being in a country with so many unique customs," "If I am to raise my son to be like his father, which I very much hope he will be, then I must feel free to follow our own traditions." "As a father, I understand." "Good." "Then His Majesty will appreciate why having a home outside the palace walls is of such great importance to us." "A home which..." "had been promised, but so far has not been provided." "It is my pleasure that you live in the palace." "But it is not mine, Your Majesty." "You do not set conditions of your employment." "And you shall obey!" "May I respectfully remind His Majesty that I am not his servant, but his guest!" "A guest who's paid." "Education begins tomorrow." "He sounds absolutely dreadful, If you ask me." "Did unnerve me, I must say." "Louis:" "Moonshee, why does the king have so many wives?" "That is an excellent question..." "For your mother." "Mother..." "I heard you, Louis." "Well, uh..." "Siam is a monarchy, just like England, and one way that a royal family maintains its control in the face of war and disease is to have as many children as possible." "So he needs a lot of wives to take care of them." "A keen observation, darling." "Time for bed." "Come give us a kiss." "Does he love all of them?" "In a way." "Like you loved father?" "Things are very different here, Louis." "Even love." "Go on." "Off to bed." "Mother, why doesn't Queen Victoria have a lot of husbands?" "Together:" "Good night, Louis." "Presenting royal school, sir." "Is anything wrong, sir?" "No." "No, no." "Nothing at all, Lady Thiang." "Louis, that'll be your desk." "Yes." "Well, I suppose class is now in session." "Sit down." "Greetings, Mem Leonowens." "My father wish to give sir this to put on path of good teaching." "Well, I shall... certainly bear that in mind, Your Highness." "Uh, may I compliment You on your English?" "Siam... population 6 million, spreading across 49 bountiful provinces, from Burma in west to Cambodia in east." "Presided over by King Maha Mongkut," "Lord of life, whose strength and power reach everywhere." "Not in my house, they don't." "Son of teacher is forgetting" "I am son of King." "Son of teacher couldn't care less." "You will sit somewhere else." "I will not." "Louis, remember what I told you." "I'm sorry, Mother, but he started it." "In my country, man never tell woman he is sorry about anything." "Ever." "If you had father, you would know that." "You don't have a father!" "You have a map!" "Louis." "Is forbidden to touch royalty!" "I didn't touch you!" "I shoved you!" "Why don't you get one of your slaves to shove me back?" "!" "Anna:" "Let me through." "Excuse me." "Stop." "Stop." "That's enough." "That's enough." "Why?" "Prince insult memory of boy's father." "Louis: 997...998... 999... 1 ,000." "Finished." "You may go home." "Aren't you coming?" "Not until Prince Chulalongkorn finishes his task." "I'm sorry, Lady Thiang, but supper will have to wait." "The prince has not yet been dismissed." "His Majesty, King Mongkut, afraid school teacher might get hungry during long night ahead." "He send food...for one." "Why does my father humble me?" "Well, he wants what's best for you." "For the moment, that includes me." "Why?" "Most people do not see the world as it is." "They see it as they are." "And a good king needs a broader view." "Stay here, Your Highness." "What is that smell?" "She has been chained outside for 6 weeks." "And all because she tried to buy her own freedom?" "Mem Leonowens," "JaoJom Manda Ung is daughter of very influential family." "Yes, and when La-ore offered her the money, she took it." "Her mistress took it." "And then she accused her of ingratitude and chained her like an animal where the prince and I found her last night." "Heir to throne must never be involved in issue of bond-servant." "It will resolve itself in time." "Like my house?" "You are learning." "I've been been doing much thinking, Mem teacher on why some in this life are masters," "like JaoJom Manda Ung, and others, slaves." "Well, that is something that you need to ask your father." "But you are teacher." "Teach." "Um..." "This was written by an American woman," "Harriet Beecher Stowe, who asked the same question." "Perhaps you should read her, and then we might continue our discussion." "A woman?" "Yes." ""Uncle Tom's Cabin. "" "I shall read it at once, Mem." "Anna:" "Come along, Louis." "Quickly, darling." "Don't want to be late for school." "Were you not commanded to leave slave issue alone?" "Your Excellency," "I'm fully prepared to obey His Majesty's commands within the obligation of my duties." "Beyond that, I promise no obedience." "You will follow!" "La-ore purchased her freedom once, Your Majesty." "And I believe, had I given this woman my ring first, she would have simply taken it and continued to hold La-ore captive." "King's commitment to noble families must not be compromised." "In your 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." "School teacher has outstanding memory." "Kralahome... if you would please honor JaoJom Manda Ung with an explanation of the law." "Why did you interfere?" "My conscience demanded it." "In boys' fisticuffs?" "I beg your pardon?" "I suppose since you must be both mother and father to son, tendency to overprotect is strong." "Louis can fend for himself, Your Majesty." "It was your son I was protecting." "Thank you for the supper." "Although I do not think it was necessary." "I know my son." "You would still be there." "Perhaps." "But then my point would have been made, Your Majesty, not yours." "I am King." "Yes, and I am his school teacher." "Which lesson do you think he learned?" "To respect his classmates or to fear his father?" "Husband must have been very understanding." "My husband was never threatened by my ideas or my opinions." "And because I am also such, I will allow you to always stand upright in my presence, providing head shall never be higher than mine." "Thank you, Your Majesty." "Your Majesty," "I believe there's been enough insult caused by this woman... who believes herself to be the equal of a man." "Not the equal of a man, Chao Phya... the equal of a king." "I make this for you tomorrow." "Why, thank you, Fa-ying." "It's beautiful." "These are monkeys at summer palace." "Oh, and this must be you." "Well, I shall hang it on my wall at home." "I'll make another for you yesterday." "Then I shall wait for it tomorrow." "Lady Thiang." "Good morning, Mem Leonowens." "This is Lady Tuptim." "She's new in palace, also like yourself." "I wish... also to learn writing of English to--to please His Majesty, King Mongkut." "Yes, well, certainly." "But I should hope that it would please Lady Tuptim as well." "And this is for you." "Make sure all of your books are open." "Who knows the next letter in the alphabet after " E"?" "Pupils: " F."" "" F."" "Who can tell me which words start with " F"?" "King Mongkut:" "Fa-ying loves the river." "Hmm?" "Yes, she told me all about her journey to Ayudyha." "How it is the center of the universe." "It is home to ancient ones and their many legends." "I told her that in England we have Camelot." "And a big round table." "Yes, that's right." "Everyone should have legends, I think." "It allows us to dream." "You're an interesting mix of fact and fancy." "I suppose it's because I'm always surrounded by children." "Teaching the young is fulfilling end eavorment." "I didn't have a choice, really." "Buddhists believe all life is suffering." "Take away pain of husband's death, takes away Mem's chance to grow." "I might have preferred a different lesson." "Yes." "But unique opportunity to change world would have passed to someone else." "Louis." "Do try and stay in the boat, darling." "Yesterday he asked me about your flag and the significance of the white elephant." "I had no answer." "Louis Leonowens." "Uh, yes, Your Majesty?" "I am teacher now." "The flag of Siam." " Red is for?" " Courage." " White?" " Compassion." "The white elephant is Siam's most rare and honored creature." "Perhaps on journey to rice festival, we will all see one." "Rice festival?" "Louis:" "Mother!" "Mother, look!" "There's Moonshee and Beebe." "King Mongkut:" "I trust you will find ample space for engaging in English traditions, even for growing of roses." "Out of curiosity, is this because of our agreement, or are you simply trying to get rid of me?" "Yes." "Moonshee:" "A little soap and water, and we will have a fine house, Mem." "Shall I make us some tea?" "Yes, that would be lovely." "Tuptim:" "I remember my first rice festival." "People come from everywhere to see King." "He bless all crops, and it began to rain." "I think he was a god." "And now?" "He is also a man." "Well..." "I feel very fortunate that we were invited." "One cannot see Siam's beauty living in Bangkok, Mem." "Mountains are so green, and the skies are more blue than even your eyes." "I must find Louis." "Louis?" "Louis?" "Louis?" "May I ask a favor, Mem?" "Yes, certainly." "To send this." "I wish family to know how happy I am here with King." "I'll tell Moonshee to find a messenger straightaway." "Thank you." "Mem?" "May I ask a question?" "Yes." "How did husband die?" "In my arms, actually." "How did Mem survive?" "Just as you will, one awful day at a time." "Teacher, Louis is teasing me!" "He say in England, coldness fall from sky like tiny feathers." "Why would I lie about snow?" "Please, Mem, it is too hot." "Can make some now?" "Just because your father can make it rain, doesn't mean I can make it snow." "King Mongkut:" "At last, I discover her limitations!" "I have many, Your Majesty." "Father, will you make it snow, please?" "Even for you, I cannot." "But I've seen photographs of such phenomenon." "Blankets of it." "Up to here." "Louis, smoke?" "Me?" "Jolly good!" "No." "No!" "But, Mother, he's the king." "And father smoked, too." "Yes, but your father was a man who had already achieved his full height." "I have been smoking since age 6." "And some believe me to be a giant among men." "Yes, in intelligence as well as stature, Your Majesty." "Which is why, Louis," "I'm sure His Majesty was only teasing." "I believe now is good time for all children to spread amazing concept of snow to cool off court." "Yes?" "Children:" "Yes!" "I simply meant to open conversation in controversial fashion Mem is so fond of." "I do have my opinions, Your Majesty, but they're merely that." "I wish to compliment you for enlightening children to open minds and taste life." "However, at this time," "I shall not offer cigar to your son, and you shall not teach this book to mine." "Chulalongkorn has many questions, but one cannot plow new fields in Siam overnight." "I understand, Your Majesty." "Anna:" "Honestly, Louis," "I leave you alone for 5 minutes..." "It was his idea." "Now just because Prince Chulalongkorn jumps off a bridge doesn't mean you must as well." "How can anyone smoke those things?" "Well, your father certainly enjoyed them." "Is that why you like him?" "The king, I mean." "'Cause he reminds you of father?" "I think that cigar has clouded your brain, young man." "Go on, go to sleep." "Kincaid:" "You drag me out in the middle of the night" "Kincaid:" "You drag me out in the middle of the night and turn down 5 pounds a bushel!" "Siamese Merchant:" "French offer 7." "What is the matter with you people?" "You seem to have a very high opinion of the quality of your produce." "That is the best price you're gonna get!" "Not gonna offer any more!" "No more concessions!" "That's it!" "Now, we all know that this egg will never fit into this bottle." "It's a fact." "It's the truth." "And we rely on truth to make judgments, don't we?" "What if our judgment is wrong, even when we know for a fact that it must be right?" "Do we rely on our eyes?" "Or do we believe in the impossible?" "You see, one way to achieve the impossible is to change the climate." "The French say I am uncivilized ruler." "I, who has spent entire life attempting to teach self history, literature, and science." "Why would they print such things, Your Majesty?" "You are English." "You should not be so surprised." "Well, I can still be appalled." "More importantly, do you, as a foreigner, see me in this light?" "I do not know all that you are, Your Majesty." "But I believe I know what you are not." "And you are not what they say." "Thank you, Mem, for humble validation." "I have decided to give self anniversary dinner and invite important English nobles and diplomats." "I don't understand." "French Indo-china grows stronger and more aggressive." "But if I improve our foreign intercourse with your queen's special envoy," "French will think 3 times before trying to undermine Siam." "That's very clever, Your Majesty." "As if to sound English bugles in own defense." "You shall take charge of all formalities, as Mem is obvious choice to make certain guests feel at home." "But the anniversary is when?" "3 weeks from yesterday." "3 weeks!" "That's impossible." "Mem?" "The egg... is in the bottle." "Half a glass." "Ah." "Your Majesty, we cannot have the servants bow every time somebody walks into the banquet." "I understand." "Just...for one night." "Thank you, Your Majesty." "Sorry for nervousness." "This is first time in Siam history that King allow everyone to stand up in his presence... but only for tonight." "Your country and mine have much in common, Your Majesty." "Rich cultures, long histories." "And now, it seems, Mrs. Leonowens." "Yes, my children's horizons keep expanding under her tutelage." "Ah." "My husband and I have been stationed all over the Orient." "But I must say, I've never seen anything quite like this." "Extraordinary, isn't it?" "Grand palace born from the mind of King Taksin, first man to unify all Siam." "Our country owes its creation to a man they declared insane." "Well, these roof tops are a little nutty." "He endeavored to build an empire, but the nobility that ran Siam for generations had grown tired of his wars... and replaced him with Mongkut's grandfather, someone they could influence." "Taksin they put in a velvet sack, beaten to death with a sandal wood club and buried somewhere in palace." "Oh, dear." "It sounds as though you admire him, General." "I admire vision, Lady Bradley, in all its forms." "Forgive me, Your Majesty." "I believe the sun set a little earlier today." "Mem, you arrange all this to influence positive future of Siam." "And now, you steal attention away from it." "Oh." "Well, that was not my intention, Your Majesty." "Mrs. Leonowens, what a delightful surprise, encountering such an enchanting countryman... and so far from home." "Lord Bradley, this is indeed a great honor." "I'm half-crazy" "All for the love of you" "It won't be a stylish marriage" "I can't afford a carriage" "But you'd look sweet upon the seat" "Of a bicycle made for two" "Gracious ladies, kind sirs, on behalf of 68 brothers and sisters, we thank you immeasurably and bid you most gracious evening." "Your son bears a striking resemblance to his father, Mrs. Leonowens." "I had the good fortune of serving with him a few years ago." "He was a courageous soldier, ma'am." "Well, thank you, Captain Blake." "Fa-ying:" "Father, may I please kiss good night?" "If I may beg indulgence for not wishing to break family tradition." "Ah." "I will be there in your dreams, as you will be in mine." "Good night." "Good night." "You have a remarkable family, King Mongkut." "A remarkably..." "large one." "Hardly seems fair." "All these women for one man." "Makes me wish I were Siamese myself." "Ha." "Mycroft Kincaid of East India Trading Company, correct?" "Guilty as charged, Your Majesty." "Mr. Kincaid's company is merely one of the ways we try to foster economic relations with other countries, Your Majesty." "Also, I think, to arrive at forefront of world in wealth and power, yes?" "Still, progress through commerce is logic." "King find most practical and excellent topic for discussion." "All due respect, Your Majesty." "It is a little far-fetched to think that commerce alone will bring progress to your people." "Especially when they're awash with, uh, superstition and fear, like your lovely concubines here with their talismans, worn, no doubt, to protect them from us foreign devils." "A friend once said, Mr. Kincaid," "English also have fantastical beliefs." "Or am I mistaking your country for being land of Merlin and Camelot?" "Ah." "Point taken, Your Majesty." "However, there's no arguing the superiority of the English." "And in the light of these dreadful massacres up and down your border, it's no wonder you're seeking our favor." "Superiority, Mr. Kincaid?" "I do not recall anyone being given the right to judge whose cultural customs are superior." "Especially when those judging have frequently done so at the point of a gun." "Would you not agree, Your Majesty?" "Quite." "Lord Bradley:" "Well, the evenings here are certainly warmer than in London." "Hear, hear." "A night made to order for anniversary party." "Especially for a king who is most... charitable and forgiving." "To our host, a true gentleman, generous in everyway." "May history mark this occasion as the first step towards forging an alliance between our two countries." "His Majesty." "All:" "His Majesty." "And in honor of our most distinguished guests, a waltz, as is European custom of dancing after dinner." "I--I must tell you, Your Majesty, that I have not done this in some time." "And, well, seeing as the evening has gone so well, we wouldn't want to end up in a heap, now would we?" "I am King." "I shall lead." "I never danced with an Englishwoman before, Mem." "Nor I with a king." "I want you to make promise, Mem, to always tell King what you think... no matter what, like the man from East India Company." "I always have." "Mem, you're humming." "Yes, I suppose I am." "As alarming as this may sound," "I'm feeling rather at home here now." "What charming people, hmm?" "You remember when this market place used to terrify us?" "Like it was yesterday." "I was afraid that dinner might unsettle you, all those Englishmen in uniform." "Yes." "Thought it would make me miserably homesick." "Quite the opposite." "I rather enjoyed myself, even the dancing." "Should we get some of these?" "Um...uh--uh" "And how did His Majesty fare amongst all your countrymen?" "He was charming, absolutely charming." "Ha." "I don't think I'll ever forget how he stood there, holding his hand out to me as if I was" "One of his 26 wives." "Well, thank you, Beebe." "I hadn't thought of it in that way." "Well, perhaps you should." "I have a surprise for you." "How--How did you?" "Well, I'm not quite sure actually." "Thank you, Mem." "My family, it's very important to me." "I shall leave you to enjoy every word, then." "Your Majesty." "You sent for me?" "Ah, yes." "But here, look." "Ha." "Ah ha." "Something tells me my little monkey did not go to bed night of anniversary." "Yes, I know." "I've been presented with drawings of couples dancing ever since." "Ah ha." "Come." "Sit, please." "Perhaps you should simply say what it is you are trying so hard not to." "I share this with you, Mem, because I believe you to be trust worthy." "Events are happening which I now believe to be of Burmese origin, and I fear that military action is unavoidable." "But Burma's British." "Yes." "Then it is not the French that you were worried about, was it?" "I see." "On table, Mem, is small gift of appreciation for your many efforts at anniversary party." "Mem's hand has been lonely without such." "It is most kind, Your Majesty." "It's very beautiful, and though I am terribly grateful" "It is custom to bestow favors for those who please King... and Mem has done so." "I'm sorry." "I cannot accept such generosity." "I hardly think 10 days rain warrants the call to battle, Louis." "Moonshee:" "May I suggest a retreat?" "Mother, I think I should have a topknot like the other boys." "I think you've gone a bit daft, darling." "With all this rain, it's no wonder." "I don't see why I have to miss school." "Because your classroom's underwater, and I cannot have you ill." "Balat:" ""My most precious Tuptim," ""I know you will understand why I must write this to you." ""When you were torn from my heart," ""I was left with nothing but my faith." ""Which is why, if I am to live," ""I must devote my life to Buddha," ""for only he can give me peace." "I will never forget you."" "Kralahome:" "Fa-ying was found in the garden, riddled with fever." "Difficult even for a grown man to survive such." "Cholera always in world, but still hardly at all in Bangkok." "Is there nothing you can do?" "Well, they have already begun." "Listen." "Phra Arahan." "Reminding soul to go to heaven and not lose way." "It is why Mem must not be heard weeping, as her soul will attach to sadness and remain to comfort living." "His Majesty is grateful." "The little one has made frequent mention of sir's name." "Your Majesty... being as the rain has stopped, the children hoped you might join them for a picnic." "Mem, I will always remember your feelings for my daughter, and you shall never forget... you are not here to teach King." "The children miss you terribly, Your Majesty." "You cannot shut the world out forever." "Believe me, I've tried." "When my Tom died," "I thought that my heart would never mend, but then there was Louis." "He was my salvation, you see." "And yet, you still refuse to live." "I beg your pardon?" "A mother, a teacher, a widow, but you're never just woman." "That is not fair." "In spite of all you say," "Mem is not accepting passing of husband." "It is why you so protect son and why you devote all time to books and issues and why you cannot accept gift." "Why are you doing this?" "Because you lie even to yourself." "So do not lecture me about living." "You are not qualified." "These hours are meant for sleep." "Ha." "You startled me." "I thought it wise to do so." "May I ask what His Majesty is doing awake at such an ungodly hour?" "Gazing at the moon." "Yes, it is beautiful." "As the sun rises, she will surrender the night, but she is always with him, even when he cannot see her." "It must be a great comfort to him." "Yes." "Ah." "This come from Bangkok." "You may find it of some interest." "It's from" "Yes." "Please, to read... as monkey has stolen King's spectacles." ""Your Majesty," ""The United States sincerely appreciates" ""your generous offer to help end this tragic conflict." "" Unfortunately, our country does not reach a latitude" ""which favors the elephant." ""We are, however," ""highly grateful for this indication of friendship." "Your good friend, Abraham Lincoln."" "I admire this man for what he is trying to do for his people." "They say, at the battle of Antietum, 70,000 men killed each other in one day." "And each one of those soldiers has a father who grieves." "I'm father to all of Siam." "Mem is not wrong about moving on." "Neither were you, Your Majesty." "When we return, it is time for teacher to teach Chulalongkorn and others any subject she wish, as long as King know first so can be prepared for consequences." "I will do my best, Your Majesty." "And I was always believing English women... slept in hats." "Heh Heh." "Ha." "Wonderful!" "Wonderful!" "King Mongkut:" "I have been wondering, Mem." "Hmm?" "When it's my son's time to become King, will he be a good one?" "Ah, he's still a boy, Your Majesty, but a keenly intelligent one... with a warm heart, sympathetic soul-- qualities, I believe, of a great king." "I want to thank you for bringing me here... to Siam." "I cannot imagine anywhere" "I would rather be." "Were you happy in Bombay?" "I was never unhappy." "I find myself traveling from place to place wondering where it is that I belong exactly." "And I find myself here." "Your path is as it should be." "My mind has taken me down many roads of late, all of which lead absolutely nowhere." "What would Buddha say of that?" "That roads are for journeys, Mem... not destinations." "Don't your wives ever get jealous?" "I do not understand significance of question." "Forgive me, I was prying." "Oh, no, no, please, continue." "Well, most of the world believes that... a man and a woman should share a relationship which is sacred only unto themselves." "Heh heh." "Each one of my wives believes same about King." "Not everyone can marry you, Your Majesty." "Good thing." "King need his rest sometime." "You said my instincts were good." "And what are they telling you?" "That you're not drinking, either." "Aah!" "All the bodies were stripped and left to the sun." "I fear Prince Chowfa and Alakwere cremated with the others." "May their souls rest in peace." "You couldn't have prevented your brother's death, Your Majesty." "Send my armies north." "If Burma wants this war, they shall have it." "Lord Bradley?" "Lady Bradley." "Mr. Kincaid." "If I might have a moment of your time." "I'm afraid, Mrs. Leonowens, a moment is all we have." "We are leaving on the next boat, my dear, and so should you." "My life is here, Lady Bradley." "Kincaid:" "Nasty business." "All this sabre-rattling." "Not good for trade, I can tell you." "But the king's brother is most likely dead, as is his general." "I would hardly call his action unprovoked." "What can I do for you, Mrs. Leonowens?" "Are the British behind these attacks on Siam?" "Kincaid:" "Puh!" "Stick to teaching, Mrs. Leonowens." "It's obvious you know nothing about politics." "Burma would not make a move without England's blessing, that I know." "Precisely." "But if this crisis isn't resolved soon, and a country under our protection is threatened, we will have no choice but to defend our interests." "Our protection?" "Our interests?" "The ways of England are the ways of the world, my dear." "They are the ways of one world, Lady Bradley, one that I ashamed to call my own." "You forget yourself, madam." "Now, if you'll excuse us." "No, I will not." "You raised your glass to him." "You commended him for his vision, and all the while you were waiting to take his country from him." "How the empire conducts its business is really none of your concern." "Last time I inquired, Lord Bradley," "I was still a British subject." "A fact you would do well to remember, madam, next time you're cheek to cheek with the king." "Anna:" "What is it?" "Oh, my dear girl, what have you done?" "What I have done is not a result of King or intention to dishonor." "A concubine's heart is of no consequence to King consumed with matters of a whole universe." "Oh, but, Tuptim, why did you not come to me?" "The king might have understood." "You simply can't do this to him, not now." "If love was a choice, who would ever choose such exquisite pain?" "This is what I need His Majesty to know, if such does not compromise you." "I will tell him anything you wish." "I thank Buddha for giving me direction." "And now, with Mem before me," "I thank him for giving me true friend." "He wrote to me to bid me farewell, believing I was lost forever to the inside, so committed his life to monastery." "Aah!" "Aah!" "Stop it!" "Stop it!" "Do you hear me?" "Don't you dare lay another hand on that woman!" "She has done nothing but to try and find some happiness!" "I will go to the king!" "He will put an end to this savagery!" "Thank you for seeing me, Your Majesty." "I was told by your prime minister that this was none of my concern." "King Mongkut:" "It is none of Mem's concern, and King is seeing you now to tell you same himself." "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but" "I do not wish for you to talk more on this matter, to King or anyone." "Well, I was only trying" "Tuptim broke law!" "By loving someone." ""Sacrifice your life for truth."" ""Persecute no man."" "Are these not the teachings of Buddha?" "I am King, and I say enough!" "You asked me to always tell you what I think." "What you think, and what you do, and how, and when you do them are not the same thing." "If you believe I wish to execute this girl." "But now, because you say to court you can tell King what to do," "I cannot intervene as I had planned." "Intervene after they're tortured?" "Yes!" "But you, a woman and a foreigner, have made it seem King at your command!" "You have made me appear weak and impossible for me to step in and not lose face!" "But you are the king." "And to remain such," "I cannot undermine my ability to command loyalty, which I must have to keep country secure!" "You have the power to lead your" "Now is not the time to change the way that things are done!" "Well, if not now, then when?" "How many more people must die so that you might save face?" "Go home, Mem." "You help enough for one day." "For the life of me, I don't know how you people can stand this heat." "You have 5 minutes, Mr. Kincaid." "I suggest you not waste them." "I don't suppose I could have a glass of water?" "Right." "Then, I'll come straight to the point." "As you know, I do a lot of business with the Siamese." "Many of whom have ended up dead in recent months." "Which, as I've discovered, is all part of some elaborate plot to make you think we British are the villains." "Well, I happen to know we're not." "The acquisition of a particular little piece of information has cost me a small fortune, but the fact is, when all is said and done," "I make more money with Mongkut on the throne." "So, I think I'm about to become your best friend." "Your Majesty, Alak will not stop until all of your children are in velvet sacks." "Kincaid said he'll blame the coup on Burma, then launch a full-scale attack using your troops already protecting the border." "Alak seeks to finish what Taksin only dreamed of." "Taksin was insane." "No." "He was betrayed... as we are now." "How long before Alak reaches the city?" "A week, maybe less." "And my armies?" "They will never reach the palace in time." "Then he has already won." "I will evacuate the royal family at once." "No." "Recall the army and announce to the people we have just received glad tidings." "Glad tidings, Your Majesty?" "Man:" "Chahngseekao!" "Mother, doesn't chahngseekao mean white elephant?" "Do you think they found one?" "Yes." "A white elephant in Prachin Buri." "The entire village has seen it." "The first in 20 years!" "Mind Louis, Moonshee." "I'll see to our tickets." "I don't want to go, Mother." "I don't want to leave my friends." "The king has done good things, too." "Your mother has much on her mind, Louis." "You said the Siamese people are just like us." "And what about Chulalongkorn?" "Doesn't he matter anymore?" "Believe me, darling." "I wish this could all be very different." "It's the right decision." "We must go." "Sir, you of all are most aware there are certain boundaries" "I cannot cross, one being to contradict King." "Yes, and God help him." "Excuse me." "Passage for 4 on Newcastle." "Thank you." "There is no white elephant, sir." "King invented sighting at Prachin Buri so he could escort royal family to greet imaginary beast as in tradition." "I don't understand." "There is a traitor marching on palace." "Deception's only purpose is to hide children in monastery in village of Nong Khai." "Please, Mem." "My king believes you are wise." "You are only one who can persuade him to stay with children until army returns to Bangkok and palace is secure." "Please, Mem?" "I have just been informed of the nature of your expedition," "Your Majesty, and, um," "I would like to ask a few questions about the dangers involved, as I've heard, at times, wild elephants cannot be reasoned with." "I am surprised the Kralahome took time to arouse such curiosity, rather than make sure Mem not miss her boat." "We have already missed our boat, Your Majesty, so that I might speak with you now." "King cannot miss his boat." "If it would not be inconvenient, we should like to go with you." "Jungle is no place for proper English teacher." "No, it is not, Your Majesty, which is why the presence of one in your cortege might help ensure your display." "Something I feel, for many reasons," "I would very much like to do." "When a woman who has much to say says nothing, her silence can be deafening." "I wish to thank you, Mem, for your courage." "I thought I never wanted to see you again." "I had a vision of young Tuptim and of Balat." "I think by touching us all, they have fulfilled their destiny and attained eternal peace." "Through birth and rebirth, we Buddhists hope to learn from our mistakes." "You told me once that I had never accepted the loss of my husband." "I had no right." "No, no." "That was true." "I now realize that it is not enough to just survive, that life is precious." "Especially if you're a Christian and only allowed to have one." "Why did you come back?" "Because I could not imagine a Siam without you." "What has happened?" "You and the children must go on to Nong Khai without me." "I will meet you there." "I can see it in your eyes." "Something awful has happened." "Was not to be this way, Mem." "Alak's army has found us." "If he crosses the bridge, everything I love will die." "But they're only children." "Yes." "And each one heir to throne." "Now, you must hurry." "What will you do?" "Blow up the bridge." "Will that stop him?" "It will, if he's on it." "Your Majesty, promise me." "Promise me that I will see you again." "If your Bible is correct, whole world created in 7 days." "Therefore... possible handful of men can stop an army." "But, Father, never has such an expedition excluded royal children." "My son, there are many things you will come to understand when you're older." "Then, why can't I stay with you?" "Because I need you to lead our family to the monastery." "There is no white elephant, is there?" "Come." "Come." "Yah!" "Mother, come look." "The king is waiting on the bridge." "What?" "And there's hundreds of men on the other side." "Wait." "Stop the carriage." "Ugh!" "Ahh." "You." "Why did you not go to monastery" "like King order?" "Because I lost one man to the jungle, Your Majesty." "I was not about to let that happen again." "Mem Anna not fully to blame, Father." "After all, you did put me in charge." "To sound..." "English bugles in own defense." "Yes." "When king say handful of man could save all Siam, he was most unusually incorrect." "Prince Chulalongkorn:" "And it be then that all ears hear what all eyes suddenly see." "Great white beast in infinite splendor." "Um, great white beast." "Children:" "Ooh!" "And as people rejoice with overwhelming joy." "Most excellent conclusion to expedition echoed in every corner of Siam." "The end!" "Perfect." "Wonderful." "Very, very good." "You did very fine jobs." "Mem?" "This is play to commemorate monumental occasion, and we make fools of selves because of insufficient practice." "I understand truly, Your Highness, but the celebration was tonight." "We were duty-bound, were we not?" "Children:" "Yes." "Were we not?" "I want you all to imagine next year, when you've had time to perfect things." "Then your father will be even more proud of you than he already is." "And you, Mem?" "Will you be?" "I will always be proud of you, my children." "I, uh, ordered this some time ago for the children, and, uh, it's a fine example of scientific thinking, as music is mathematical in nature." "Chords, constructed from notes in intervals of thirds, and so on, and so on." "Precisely." "I would like to know why, if science can unravel something as beautiful as music, why it cannot posit a solution for a school teacher and a king?" "The manner in which people might understand such new possibilities is also process of evolution." "Everything in Siam has its own time." "Even if King is also wanting it to be different." "I still must go, Your Majesty." "So, where is it you will be going?" "England." "Home." "This is good, Mem." "Very good for Louis as well." "What?" "Am wondering if, given circumstances, it is appropriate for King to ask..." "Anna... to dance?" "I have danced with a king before, Your Majesty." "And I... an Englishwoman." "Until now..." "Madam Leonowens," "I did not understand supposition man could be satisfied with only one woman." "I was only a boy, but the image of my father holding the woman he loved for the last time has remained with me throughout the years." "It is always surprising how small a part of life is taken up by meaningful moments." "Most of them, they are over before they start, although they cast a light on the future and make the person who originated them unforgettable."