The film was subject to controversy when the Thai government deemed it historically inaccurate and insulting to the royal family and banned its distribution in the country.

It received mixed reviews from critics who praised the production values, costume design, and musical score but criticised its screenplay and length.

Anna Leonowens, a British widow, has come to Siam with her son Louis to teach English to Crown Prince Chulalongkorn, the heir of King Mongkut.

Mongkut and Anna discuss differences between Eastern and Western love, but he dismisses the notion that a man can be happy with only one wife.

Hoping to impress Britain's ambassadors, Mongkut orders a sumptuous reception and appoints Anna to organize it.

Anna also begins to educate Lady Tuptim, the King's newest concubine, who was already in love with another man, Khun Phra Balat, when she was brought to court.

Anna, unable to bear the sight, speaks out angrily in an attempt to stop the abuse and threatens to go to the king, before she is forcibly removed from the court.

Mongkut's army is too far from the palace to engage the rebels, so he creates a ruse - that a white elephant has been spotted, and the court must go to see it.

The prime minister convinces Anna to return and help Mongkut, since her presence in his entourage will corroborate the tale about the white elephant.

Mongkut and his soldiers set explosives on a wooden bridge high above a canyon floor as Alak and his army approach.

The consensus reads, "Beautiful cinematography can't prevent Anna and the King from being boring and overly lengthy.

The Thai authorities did not permit the film to be distributed in Thailand due to scenes that they construed as a disrespectful and historically inaccurate depiction of King Mongkut.

[4] Tony Dabbs wrote an opinion piece for the Thai newspaper The Nation, criticizing the ban, advocating the use of strong disclaimers, and expanding the issue beyond this picture, saying: “Frankly, I would like to see all films that take strong liberties with the historical facts, as Braveheart and JFK did, also be required to state so at the end of the film”.