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Anna and the King

(1999, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Jodie Foster, Chow Yun-Fat, Bai Ling)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Intense, mature version of The King and I.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–14

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    A theme of the movie.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Violent battles, whipping, beheading.

  • Sex:

    References to concubines, adultery.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Social drinking, King smokes cigars, child smokes.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Anna and the King

Parents need to know that there is some very intense violence, including battle scenes, bloody beatings, and non-graphic but very tense beheadings. Dead bodies hang from a tree and soldiers are poisoned. There is a very sad death of a child. There are references to the king's many wives and concubines and one reluctant concubine is shown being prepared for her first night with him, and being reassured that he is a generous lover. The king smokes cigars and the boys try one.

Read our full review by Nell Minow

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about cultural diversity and how we distinguish between fundamental truths and cultural differences, the challenges of power (for example, the constant threats from those who want to seize it), and the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who tell us the truth, even when it is hard to hear.
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