Anna and the King of Siam (1946) - full transcript

(man) Rope away.

- I'll get someone for the luggage.
- Thank you, Captain.

Mother, these people are so funny.
Everybody goes barefoot.

Stay where I can see you, Louis.
Watch him, Beebe.

- Yes, memsahib.
- Memsahib?

Who is here to receive us?

Someone will meet us, Moonshee.
Do try and watch the luggage.

No sign of anyone to meet you.
You sure they knew you were coming?

Oh, yes.

I suppose all this seems very strange to you.

Not entirely.
I feel as though I already knew Siam.



Oh?

I read a very interesting book about it
on the boat, by a man who visited it once.

Don't smile, it's really quite good.

- For instance, I know that's the royal palace.
- Right.

You see?
Have you ever been inside it?

Yes, almost all of it.
Except, of course, the nang hahn.

- Oh. The harem, you mean?
- Yes.

It's, uh, quite a place.

I've heard it called the universe,
with a single sun and a thousand moons.

- The king being the sun, naturally.
- Good gracious.

They run a bit to language out here.

They say too that he's the disc of light
they all revolve around.

How many women revolve
around this disc of light?

Oh, a thousand or more.



Really?

The book didn't mention that.

I haven't anything against that book of yours,
Mrs Owens, but look here.

This is Siam.
There isn't even a consulate here.

- You see...
- (elephant trumpets)

Hello!

Someone to meet me, I suppose.

(captain speaks Siamese)

Mrs Owens, may I present His Excellency
the Kralahome, prime minister of Siam.

(captain speaks Siamese) Mem Anna Owens.

Are you lady who is to teach
children of royal family?

- Yes.
- Have you friends in Bangkok?

No. I know no one in Bangkok at all.

Are you married?

I was married. My husband is dead.

(speaks Siamese)

(interpreter) How long
your husband been dead?

About a year.

What manner of man, your husband?

He was an officer
in Her Majesty's Army, serving in...

Ask His Excellency
why it is necessary to know these things.

- (interpreter speaks Siamese)
- (speaks Siamese)

My master says if he ask,
it should be enough for mem to answer.

Tell your master that his business with me
is in my capacity as governess.

It is not necessary for him
to pry into my personal affairs.

(speaks Siamese)

(speaks Siamese)

My master graciously says mem need not
talk at all. His slaves will take her to palace.

- Tell him to wait.
- (captain speaks Siamese)

I was promised a house of my own would be
provided on my arrival. I wish to go there.

(speaks Siamese)

(speaks Siamese)

My master says if mem does not wish to go
to palace, she can go wherever she pleases.

That's the rudest man I ever met in my life.

If your book was any good, you'd have known
they ask personal questions here to be polite.

And he wasn't being rude.
He came out to meet you in person.

And you're a woman, and women do not exist
in Siam. They simply do not exist.

I hope I'll have nothing more to do with him.

My dear young woman, you'd better realise
you can't do anything out here without him.

If I were you I'd try to see him in the morning,
say you didn't understand and you're sorry.

Or as near it as you can manage.

Well, looks like you sleep on board tonight.

Means I can't go with you in the morning
and be down the river early.

Oh, well, I'll find someone.

- Thank you, Captain Orton.
- Not at all, ma'am.

And don't worry, ma'am.

The king has invested money in your
passage, and he's very canny about money.

He'll see that you have
a chance to do your work.

(speaks Siamese)

(speaking Siamese)

He's not gonna wait for us.

(speaks Siamese)

Good morning. I wish to see your master.

I will see. You will wait.

- They write in such a funny way here.
- Don't be rude. Come here and wait quietly.

- You will come this way.
- Thank you.

You will wait.

- What shall I draw now?
- Well, let's see. Draw an elephant.

I just did. I wish we could go.

We're going to wait.

My master wishes to know
why you come here. What you want.

Tell His Excellency I did not understand
the honour he paid me in coming to meet me.

I'm sorry I behaved ungraciously,
and I came here to tell him so.

(speaking Siamese)

My master wishes to know if mem
truly regret sin of having bad temper,

or if she only says so
in order to ask favour of him.

I'm...

Tell him it's both. I am sorry, and I would like
his help in getting started with my work.

(speaks Siamese)

Why hasn't he a coat on?
You make me wear one.

- Quiet, dear.
- Let's go. I don't think I like him.

(Kralahome laughs)

What is your name, boy?

Louis Owens, sir.

- Are you afraid of me?
- I don't think so.

That is good. I like you.

- Take a seat. Sit down.
- Thank you.

Your Excellency speaks English.
I-I didn't know.

Not necessary to know everything
in first minutes.

What for you object to live in palace?

I must have a place of my own where I can go
when my duties are over for the day.

What you wish to do evenings
that cannot be done in palace?

You don't understand, Your Excellency.
It isn't some foolish reason.

I came here to teach because I must work
to support myself and my son.

- Why you not marry again?
- Oh, no.

Not ever.

The only thing I want now
is to bring up my son.

He's very like his father,
and I want him to grow up that way.

That's very difficult in a strange country.
That's why we must have a home of our own.

This is very important to me,
Your Excellency. Please believe that.

- You say king promise you house?
- Yes, Your Excellency. I have the letters.

You do not show me. I do not think you lie.

But sometime His Majesty
do not remember everything he promise.

But couldn't you remind him?

Mem, if I tell king he breaks his promise,
I will make anger in him.

I think it is better if I make anger in him
about larger matters.

Very well. If you're afraid to tell him, I'm not.
Will you arrange for me to see him?

You think you tell king
he breaks his promise?

Yes, if that's necessary. If he wants to get
angry about breaking his own promise...

Mem, I think I arrange this meeting for you.

When?

I do not know. His Majesty very busy now.

Is he too busy to remember
he asked me to come here?

Unfortunately, New Year and you
arrive at same time.

New Year more important.

But it wouldn't take 10 minutes of his time...

After New Year, festival called Songkran, with
fireworks. That will take week or so, maybe.

- Then is cremation of late cousin...
- But surely...

..and His Majesty goes up river
to receive sacred white elephant.

Then ceremonies of tonsure of hair
of oldest daughter.

And what am I supposed to do
in the meantime?

- Wait. Live in palace and wait.
- But this is ridiculous. I came here to teach.

Mem, this country has been here thousand
years before you came, and must continue.

That may be, but I intend to keep my part of
the bargain, and I expect the king to keep his.

Mem, I do not think
king will remember this promise,

but I do think will be
very interesting meeting.

(speaks Siamese)

I don't think we'd better open this one. It's full
of things I didn't know what to do with.

- (tearfully) Yes, memsahib.
- Oh, Beebe, do stop crying.

I told you, Moonshee
will probably be here any minute.

I think I shall never see him again. They said
that he could not live here with us, and...

Nonsense. You must have misunderstood.
It's just that there isn't room for him here.

- Yes, memsahib.
- Do you remember where I put the sheets?

- I see fireworks.
- It's New Year's Day.

No, it isn't, Mother. It's only April.

It's New Year's out here.

I won't sleep a wink tonight unless
we have our own sheets on those beds.

- After dinner, may we go see the fireworks?
- We'll see.

Ah, yes. They're in here, I remember now.
There, Beebe.

All right. Come on, darling.
Now I'll see about dinner.

We would like to have some dinner.

Something to eat.

Eat.

No, wait a moment.

What part of the palace are we in?

Well, poor souls,
they don't seem to understand.

What made them shut the door?

Ah.

I don't know.

- What are they doing there?
- Oh!

Oh, no.

So that's why Moonshee
can't be here with us.

Oh, Louis...

Beebe...

What a thing for me to do.

And I said so positively.

Oh, Louis, you'll have to forgive your mother.

I said we'd have a home of our own,
and I've brought you into a harem.

What does that mean, Mother?
What is a harem?

Well, it's... (laughs)

Oh, don't ask me that.

I should have a good answer, and I will,

but I just can't think of one now. (sobs)

- Do I have to wear this suit, Mother?
- Don't sulk, dear. Come, we must hurry.

Where did I put my...? Oh, here it is.

The day is here, Mem Owens.

It is unfortunate mem had to wait
for New Year and cremation,

but at least she is ahead of white elephant.

Who is going to present me to the king?

Oh, by all means, I present you myself.

First, let us observe manner
of entering presence of His Majesty.

Let us suppose Lord of Light sits here.
Here is door. (speaks Siamese)

- Oh, no.
- It is custom of country.

I couldn't. I'm very sorry, but I couldn't.

His Majesty very sensitive
about such matters.

Your Excellency, I intend
to show His Majesty the utmost respect,

but he cannot possibly expect me
to crawl along the floor.

I wouldn't do that for my own queen.

What you do in presence of your own queen?

I'll show you.

Do as you wish, mem.

But remember, you are not only one
with temper. This king has temper too.

I'll return when it is time.

You will wait.

Mother, I can walk on my knees
if they want me to. That's easy.

You'll walk in and make your bow
exactly as I've shown you.

Don't you dare crawl in like a worm.
Don't you dare!

Yes, Mother.

Perhaps they don't like us here.

The whole thing is perfectly childish.

If mem is ready now...?

Quite ready.

Sorry, mem.
His Majesty has concluded audience.

- He isn't going to receive us after all?
- Some other day. Not today.

- I wish to be presented now.
- I do not advise it.

Louis.

Who? Who? Who?

Your Majesty, I present new English
governess Mrs Anna Owens, and son Louis.

How old shall you be?

You do not look like scientific person
for teaching of school. How old shall you be?

I am 150 years old, Your Majesty.

In what year were you borned?

1712, Your Majesty.

- And how many years shall you be married?
- Several, Your Majesty.

How many grandchildren shall you have by
now? How many? How many? How many?

You do not answer that so quick.

I make better questions
than you make answers, hm?

(he laughs)

(speaks Siamese)

(all laugh)

You not afraid to tell king
something is not his business?

It would not be a compliment to His Majesty
if I were afraid of him.

Ah.

Not to be afraid
is good thing in scientific mind.

I think maybe...

you will make very good schoolteaching.

These my wives.

This Chow Chon Son Klin,
who is favourite.

They not speak English. I cannot teach, being
busy with foreign affairs and other situations.

(speaks Siamese)

Will get my children.

I have fine idea. You teach
all my wives as have sense to learn.

Siam be very modern country.
Very good. Everybody speaking English.

I would be happy to, Your Majesty.

Ah. Here come my children.

You see? Mostly boys.

Not all. Few more.

Ah.

Oh.

How many are there, Your Majesty?

They are not all here, of course.
Only those old enough for school.

I have 67 children. Not many.
I began marriage a little late.

Which is the eldest?

Ah. This one. This is Prince Chulalongkorn.

This... Princess Fa-Ying.

This Prince Tae Wa Wong. This...

No. Too many. Will take time to learn.

They're a wonderful-looking family,
Your Majesty. You make me wish I had 67.

Ha! Is impossible. That is very funny.

Come.

I consider Mrs Owens suitable
for teaching wives as well as children.

Thank you.

You begin school next Thursday. Best day for
such undertaking, according to astrologers.

Very well, Your Majesty.

I am very pleased with this lady.
Why was she not presented here more soon?

150 year, hm?

"How many grandchildren?" (chuckles)

You may go.

Good day, Your Excellency.
Come, darling.

- Is this the school?
- I don't know, dear, but we'll find out soon.

Don't they even start school on time here?

Perhaps the astrologers
found a star they'd overlooked.

(gong)

- What's the matter now, Mother?
- I don't know.

Must have something to do with the king.

(king shouting)

June 12, 1862! June 12, 1862!

He is fool! Do you understand
meaning of word "agility"?

Well, I think Your Majesty's giving
a very good illustration of it.

You see? She understands!

This ignorant and lazy man is my secretary.
Understands nothing!

All he ever wants to do is sleep! Sleep!

On June 12, 1862, which is today
and therefore birthday for me.

You see I am young, strong.

- I have agility like young man.
- Of course, Your Majesty.

Then how can I be "spare man"? How can l?

Perhaps if Your Majesty
could explain a little more...

Birthday should be happy day.
And what is first happening?

It is writing about me in British newspaper
from Singapore says I am "spare man".

A king cannot be "spare man"!

How can I be spared
from work which is necessary?

Who can fill my place?
I ask you this! Who can fill my place?

Your Majesty,
the word "spare" has two meanings.

One of them is "extra". The other is "thin".

They don't mean to say
that you are unnecessary. Just thin.

Why shall you contradict me?

- I'm only trying to help you.
- Is it help to say I am wrong?

How can king be wrong and woman be right?
I ask you that. How?

I am afraid, Your Majesty,
that it has happened sometimes.

It is clear you are not scientific.

Why are you here?

Because you told me
you intended opening my school today.

My astrologers are fools.
How can this be good day for schools?

You may go.

Very well, Your Majesty.

But since you postponed opening the school,
there's something I'd like to discuss.

I should like to use the time
in getting settled in my own house.

- House? House? House?
- The house you promised me.

Conditions different suddenly.
Have you not agreed to teach our women?

- Of course I have, Your Majesty.
- How can you teach them if you live outside?

It is our pleasure
that you shall reside within this palace.

If Your Majesty remembers,
you promised me a house.

I will do remembering of what I promise.
Who is king here?

I remind you.

I do not know condition which will arise.

I do not know anything
but that you are my servant,

and that it is our pleasure
that you shall reside within this palace.

And you shall obey.

I am prepared to obey all your commands as
far as they concern my duties as a teacher...

You shall live in palace.
You shall live in palace! You shall...

Come back!

Come back!

I command you, come back!

That king hasn't very good manners.
His mother didn't teach him not to shout.

Women don't seem
to count for very much out here.

"How can a king be wrong
and a woman be right?"

Well, the disc of light
isn't going to talk to me like that.

Beebe, take Louis into the other room.

Yes? What do you want?

I have been ordered into forbidden city
so I could personally conduct mem

to house His Majesty has
graciously decided she should have.

- A house outside the palace?
- His Majesty instruct me to say

he desire to observe fully
terms of his promise.

Well...

Is this it?

Get out of my way.

Get out of my way!

What was it like? Is there a stable
for my pony when I get it? Is it on the river?

Oh, Louis, it was horrible.

And he did it deliberately
to teach me a lesson, to put me in my place.

Well, he'll rue this day, let me tell you.

If he knows the meaning of the word "rue".

Unpack these things, Beebe.
Unpack everything.

- But, memsahib, you said...
- It doesn't make any difference what I said.

That man's going to give me a house before l
leave if I have to stay here the rest of my life.

I'll not just go away and let him sit here
laughing at me. (sobs) I'll not.

Mrs Owens has graciously changed her
plans, so will live in royal palace

and be free for question of education
at all times.

I command you to be diligent,

and to make most of this opportunity
for sake of yourselves and country.

We will come to attention, please.

(all talk)

Order, please!

Quiet! Order, please! Quiet!

Order! Quiet!

Quiet! Quiet! Order, please.

Quiet! Order!

Don't any of you
understand any English at all?

(shrieks)

(talking stops)

They think you wear dress like that...

because you're shaped like that, down there.

You speak English.

Good morning, sir.

I am very glad to see you.

I think of you very often.

In the beginning,
God created the heaven and the earth.

- Missionary.
- Oh.

A missionary taught you English?

Thiang.

- Lady Thiang?
- Yes, sir.

How fortunate. I shall ask you to help me
in explaining to the others.

Yes, sir.

Good morning, sir.

We shall now begin the class.

The usual way to begin
would be with the English alphabet.

But I should like to impress His Majesty
with the way English people feel.

(speaks Siamese)

Therefore, we will begin
by learning a song or two,

or a sentence or two,

which will express English feeling.

For instance, this one.

It's an old proverb.

"lf a man break faith with me,

shame on him."

"But if I let him deceive me twice,

shame on me."

It is not good day. I feel it.
There will not be many gifts this morning.

Who shall this be?

My name is Tuptim.

She was sent by governor of Lao province.
She is daughter of his youngest brother.

Ah.

What favour shall this governor want now?

Never mind. Write letter. Say thank you.

Make it nice letter.

Where this come from?

I do not know, Your Majesty.

There is writing on it.

Read it to me, O my father.

You would not understand it, little one.

But I have studied a month now.

The English memcha says I am very clever
and you will be pleased.

Tell me something
that you have learned in school.

Good morning. This is a thought for the day.

"A promise delayed is justice deferred."

"A promise neglected is the truth untold."

"East or west,

home is best."

(women singing)

? Home, home, sweet sweet home

? There's no place like home

? There's no place like home

(singing continues, muffled)

(speaks Siamese)

? Be it ever so humble

? There's no place like home...

That will do for today. Now I think
it's time we started learning our alphabet.

Look on your slates and listen
while I pronounce the letters.

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

Oh, good morning, Your Majesty.

Are you going to say something
to our class this morning?

No.

F.

G...

(man singing "Home, Sweet Home")

? There's no place like home...

No singing here. If singing necessary, I sing.

Your Majesty.

It has begun, Toongramon.

We've lost Cambodia.

Our governor of Cambodia made
a treaty with the French government.

They recognised Cambodia as independent
of Siam, placed it under their protection.

And this governor of ours
still protests his loyalty to Your Majesty.

So...

The camel's nose is in the tent.

The partition of Siam. It has begun.

For a long time
we've said this hour must come.

Now it is no longer talk, it is upon us.
What do we do?

Nothing.

We shall do nothing whatever in this matter.

Because there is nothing we can do.

Your father took such a man once

and burned out both his eyes.

Hung him in the sun in a cage
over cool running water,

until he went mad.

We have not the right to waste ourselves
on something which cannot be changed.

We shall save what strength and cunning
we have to hold together what is left of Siam.

And if we cannot save all that is left,
we shall save what we can.

Tell me something, Toongramon.

A long time ago, I came to you and asked you
to leave a life of peace and be the king.

If I could ask you now to make that choice,
what would your answer be?

Think well before you answer that.

Think what this can mean to you.

You feel great responsibility for me,
don't you, Cha Kum?

You might still be living peacefully
at the monastery if I had not persuaded you.

Perhaps it is not too late to return.
Think well on that.

The monastery, instead of this place
where you have only enemies and danger.

Well you know this is not the end.

The ships of Europe will crowd thicker
on our seas, greedy for conquest.

They have the power.

And the cunning.

They know how to set your nobles
against you, how to buy and threaten them.

How can you hope to hold Siam together
against enemies without and within?

All that it can mean to you is that
in the end you will die in a lost cause.

I have done you a sorry service
to have brought you to this moment.

I think you take too much credit
on yourself, Cha Kum.

There is a man born for every task,

and I was born for this one.

Remember, I was prince before I was monk.

Let me ask you.

If you were in my place,
what would your answer be?

Then give me as much credit
as you allow yourself, my friend.

If only we had more time.

(? "Home, Sweet Home" on reed pipe)

- She's got someone else at it.
- "She"?

That woman and her house!

- Stop it!
- (music stops)

Take a lesson from her, my friend,
and you will never give up on anything.

- Give her a house.
- But...

Give her a house! If she was meant
to be a sign to us, she deserves a reward.

And if she wasn't...

Well, give her a house anyway,
before she drives me out of my mind.

- Very nice.
- Yes, mem.

No fish here.

No fish.

You like it?

I could be quite comfortable here.

It is of course our wish
that mem shall be perfectly satisfied.

Oh, I am. Perfectly, Your Excellency.

I said I'd get a house, and I got it.

But now you may go to the king
and tell him he can have it back.

I wouldn't live in it
if it had a roof made of rubies.

And you can tell him something else too.

I wouldn't live in a country where
promises mean nothing. Simply nothing.

I won't stay a minute longer than I have to,
not if he gave me the whole palace to live in.

Good day, Your Excellency.

I'll find out what time we sail. I think we can
go aboard ship first thing in the morning.

If Louis wakes up, tell him I'll be back soon.

Yes, memsahib.

How dare you treat me in this manner?
I demand an explanation. And I warn you...

- Be quiet, sir.
-..that I am a British subject.

That is not reason you are safe.

I could have you killed if that would serve
my purpose. Such things are simple here.

Sir, you enjoy your triumph
about your house.

Cos you shall now enjoy greater triumph.

I have something to ask of you.
Not demand, but ask.

It is that you shall stay in Siam.
You may enjoy yourself if you like, sir.

No matter what you asked, I wouldn't do it.

- If you do not stay, where will you go?
- I don't know.

- Have you other place to put your life?
- What's it to do with you?

- Have you, sir?
- Please stop calling me "sir"!

I call you "sir"
so you will not be lowly, like a woman.

But you continue to talk like a woman,
I no longer call you "sir".

You think now you are nothing here,
but that could be different.

How could it be, as long as the king can
change his mind from one day to another?

- The king is not ordinary man.
- lndeed he isn't.

- He is lonely man.
- "Lonely"!

Mem, I have watched you.
I think there is need here for you.

You know what is truth about many things,
and I know you have courage to speak it.

The king has no one near him like you. He has
many wives, but they cannot help him.

You can speak with him as a woman,
where they cannot.

He will listen, because he will know
you do not seek something for yourself.

Indeed I wouldn't. Least of all the chance
to revolve around him. He doesn't need help.

Mem, why you not see? Why?

He is two men.

One part of him is king, like his father was.

Other part tries to be man of new world.

Scientific man who desires to learn
all modern things, to save his country.

But greedy men of Europe are at our door.

They say Siam is barbaric land
and so must be ruled by them.

So king must learn all modern things now.

He tries work too big for any man,
with no one to help.

His own people are his enemies.
They do not want change.

And sometimes inside himself is enemy...

that cannot change.

Oh, mem, are you blind?
Have you no eyes to see?

He does not live coldly, with mind, as I do.

But with heart.

With heart, mem, as king must.

And so is torn in two within himself.

And to whom can he turn? Who can he trust?

He is very lonely man.

And very strange man.

Yet for him I would die.

I'm...

I'm afraid I haven't been very understanding.

Mem, I cannot promise
that it will ever be easy for you.

We have proverb here.

"Go up by land and you meet tiger,

go down by water and you meet crocodile."

But for you, it will be place to put your life.

"Your Majesty once suggested that I might
possibly be of some slight help to him

with his correspondence
and in the translation of..."

Ah!

Alak, take letter.

To Mrs A Owens, by our gracious consent,
governess of the court of Siam,

et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

Dear Madam, I have your letter
in which you make offer of assistance.

In reply, I beg to state, you were engaged
for teaching school. Not otherwise.

You shall ask yourself, are your scholars
now interested in facility of language

more than certain songs and proverbs
concerning houses?

(chuckles)

? L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T

? U, V, W, X, Y, Z

? A, B, C, D, E, F, G

There seems to be definitely no answer.

(students continue singing)

(students stop singing and laugh)

Do you speak English?

My family speak some English a long time.

- What is your name?
- Tuptim.

He's very amusing, but none of us
can do any work while he's here.

You'd better take him outside
until school is over.

He will be good, mem.

(speaks Siamese)

He's really very clever.

But I cannot allow him to stay.
Take him out now, Tuptim.

If he make people to laugh
in this dull palace, that is good.

I don't want to have to make
a report of this to His Majesty.

His Majesty give him to me.

But not to bring to school.

Go to the king...

if you like.

Mem...

Do not make quarrel with
new favourite of the king. You will lose.

Tuptim...?

Let's get on with our work now, please.
We've lost enough time.

Mem, there is thing in this book
I do not believe.

What is it, Prince Chulalongkorn?

It shows world like round ball
that spins on stick through middle.

And everyone knows
that world rest on back of great turtle,

who keeps it from running into stars.

- Where did you get the book?
- I gave it to him.

- But you shouldn't without asking me.
- I'm sorry.

There are many stories about the world,

and when we're further along with our studies
I shall explain them to you.

For the present,
I think we'd better stick to our letters.

But I know all my letters, mem.
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, l...

(laughter)

Quiet, please!

I know that you are very quick to learn,
and I shall do all I can to help you,

but for the present
I wish you to recite with the class.

Oh.

You wanted to see me, Lady Thiang?

Yes, sir.

I'm glad you've stayed. I wanted to thank you
for warning me about Tuptim.

Yes, sir.

I don't quite understand
about Tuptim being the favourite.

I thought the Lady Son Klin...

Why you think Lady Son Klin not here?

- I thought perhaps she was ill, or...
- She in prison.

- But what for?
- Because she gamble too much.

Which is law. But she do not go to prison
for this if she is still favourite.

- Is there anything we can do?
- She is young.

She will become used to such things.

I will help her when this can be done.

But it is hard. I not in favour with my lord.

Oh.

Not for long time.

My lord's table - I taste food there. That is all.

- For fear of poison?
- Yes, sir.

Guard my lord. That is all.

- Oh, I'm sorry.
- No, sir.

No, not for me sorry.

I am... (speaks Siamese)

Mother royal prince.

- Prince Chulalongkorn?
- Yes, sir.

Yes. My little boy.

- You like little boy?
- Yes, of course.

You think my little boy... Iearn?

- Yes, he seems very bright.
- Please, mem...

You do not mind that it is hard for him?
Hard to learn from woman.

He wants much to learn.

Please - you will help him
to learn all wisdom.

That is most important thing.

Yes, of course.
And I'm sure he'll do beautifully.

Well, after today
I think I can manage a large cup of tea.

Louis!

Thank you, Lady Thiang, for all your help.

Goodbye, sir.

Ready for tea? I'm sure I am.

Well, we might as well, I suppose.

Oh, dear. What seems to be the trouble?

- I think you'd better tell me.
- Well, I can't make any sense out of it.

He says nobody can touch his head because
it's sacred. And his shoulders are, almost.

Anyone who struck me upon head
would have to be killed.

When I am king like my father, no one
may stand so head is higher than mine.

So the only way they know how to fight
is to hold a long stick in the middle

and beat each other
on the shins and legs with it.

We might just as well stand and kick each
other's shins. But he wouldn't even do that.

It is a matter that takes much skill.
I would have beaten him very badly.

I see.

But suppose you tell me why it was
necessary to fight in the first place?

Well, he said I wasn't a man because I told
you I was sorry about giving him the book,

and a man shouldn't tell a woman he's sorry -
not about anything.

Oh.

Tell me, Your Royal Highness,

if your father corrected you about something,
would you resent that?

He is man. He is very wise.
He knows everything.

Well, you see, in our country

it's possible for me to be almost like a father
to Louis, even though I am a woman.

And because we love one another very much,
he knows I want only what is right for him.

And he can accept authority from me
just the same as you can from your father.

I do not think I would like country
in which this was so.

But since it is so with us,
I see no great need to fight.

I think it would be much nicer
if you could be friends.

Well... he was not coward.

He would have tried sticks.

Well, all right, then.

That's better.

We'll see you in school tomorrow.

(knocking at door)

- (door opens)
- (man speaks)

Memsahib! Memsahib! It is the end!
The end has come. I knew it would come.

- Don't be foolish, Beebe. What is it?
- Messengers. The king wishes to see you.

- What can he want at such a time of night?
- I don't know. Help me find my things.

Your Majesty.

Mem, I think your Moses
shall have been a fool.

- Moses?
- Moses, Moses, Moses.

I think he shall have been a fool.

Here it stands, written by him:

"The world was created in six days."

Now, you know and I know
it took many centuries to create world.

I think he shall have been
a fool to have written so.

What is your opinion?

Do you mean to say that you sent for me
at this hour of the night just to ask me that?

Yes. What is your opinion?

But couldn't you have waited till morning?

Mem, you say you wish to help
with study, et cetera.

Do you wish help, or do not?

I'm sorry, Your Majesty.

I do want to help if I can.

Then what is your opinion
of this thing as stated by Moses?

It is necessary for me to read all European
books to try to understand modern world.

And there have been many things written.
There have been mountains of things written.

And knowledge is buried
underneath this mountain.

I ask you to consider this is
very much reading for one lifetime.

And how shall I do this understanding when
different English books say different things?

Your Majesty, the Bible
was not written by men of science.

It was written by men of faith.

It was their explanation
of the miracle of Creation,

which is just as great a miracle
whether it took six days or many centuries.

Science does not contradict the Bible,

it has only made us more aware
of how great the miracle was.

Well, I still think
your Moses shall have been a fool.

You may go.

Moses! The idea!

Three o'clock in the morning.

Someone ought to tell him a thing or two...

(baby cries)

(baby continues crying)

(speaking Siamese)

Lady Tuptim's slave?

I am not sorry about the monkey,
if that is why you make me stay.

It isn't the monkey, Lady Tuptim.
I want to ask your help for someone.

It's your slave woman, L'Ore. I talked with
her.

By what right?

I can't believe you would deliberately keep
her in chains so long. And with a child, too.

She tried to run away.

She was only trying to go to her husband.
He wants to buy her freedom.

Isn't there a law in Siam that says
a slave must be freed if the money is offered?

What right has she to be happy with
someone she love while I am shut up here?

Let her stay where she is.

You can have your law. I have the king.

Go and find this out for yourself.

- Memcha?
- Oh, yes, Your Royal Highness?

What is it about this law?
Does it mean slaves of king too?

Of course. A law is the same for everyone.

But I do not understand about law that
makes it more important than king. Tell me.

I'm sorry. We'll talk about it some other time.
Now I must go and see your father.

Yes, memcha.

- Mem?
- Oh, yes, Lady Thiang?

Is it not all right for him to ask you things?
Things outside the books?

Of course. But some other day,
when we have more time.

I'm sorry, but I must go to the king now.

He's really doing very well with his studies.

Your Majesty, I've come to you to bring
something to your attention. It concerns...

Mem, why must you stir up tempest
over Lady Tuptim's slave?

I have much unpleasantness
because of this.

Then Lady Tuptim
has already told you about it?

I do not have time to discuss such matters.
In future, do not trouble me with same.

They do not interest me. You may go.

Surely, Your Majesty, you want to hear all the
truth? You've only heard Lady Tuptim's story.

- Perhaps this slave isn't important...
- Mem, why you stand over my head?

I don't understand.

Last night, when I invited you
to consider Moses, you stood up over me.

You do so now,
and I cannot stand up all the time.

No one's head shall be higher than the king's.
It is sign of great disrespect.

In future in presence
you shall conduct like all other subjects.

- You mean on the floor?
- All subjects do so.

I'm sorry. I shall try my best never to allow
my head to be as high as Your Majesty's.

But I simply cannot grovel on the floor.

You are very stubborn, mem.

I do not understand why you must be so.

Your Majesty,
I couldn't possibly work that way.

Surely when we're alone it isn't necessary?

No one shall say I am not a reasonable man.
I grant you such favour.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

But... you shall observe care
that head shall not be higher than mine.

If I shall sit, you shall sit.

Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

- I'll try, Your Majesty.
- Very well. You may go.

Not until I've said what I came to say.

Your Majesty, I think this slave
has a right to expect justice from you.

And I think it's wrong when the king of Siam
upholds his wife when she disobeys the law.

I am the law here,
as people can discover if not discreet.

I'm sorry to hear you say that, Your Majesty,

because it goes against everything
I thought you wanted for your country.

How shall you know
what I want for my country?

I know you want it to progress. To take its
place among the other nations of the world.

You made this law yourself.

But if you put your own will
above the laws you make, you'll fail.

Other countries won't trust a nation
where a man can put himself above the law.

Everything might change
with your successor.

Siam's word, her treaties with them,
would be good only as long as you live.

I do not like this talk about "successor".

Why must you make entire household
in uproar over one slave?

I ask you to remember,
there are 3,000 women in household.

3,000 women can be very much uproar.

And how shall I do work which is necessary
when there is so much uproar?

But this is more important, Your Majesty.

The progress you want
isn't a matter of customs and manners.

It's the spirit behind those things.

It's... It's recognising
that every living person is an individual

with the same right
to liberty and justice under the law,

so that he can make as much
as he's willing to make of his life.

Your law began to give your people that right,
but a law must be the same for everyone -

for slave just as much as for king.

Consider Her Gracious Majesty Victoria.
Queen of the United Kingdom,

sovereign of British colonies around globe
of human world, and our affectionate sister.

- Is she not above the law?
- No, Your Majesty.

My country may have many faults,
but her laws are the same for all.

And in the United States, their president, Mr
Lincoln, is fighting a war for that principle.

This sounds like
progress in America pretty bloody.

Sometimes you have to fight
for what you believe in.

Who shall this Mr Lincoln be?
Is he king of this United States?

- He is their president
- What is "president"? I do not understand.

It means he was elected. That means he was
chosen by the people, by vote, to lead them.

I do not think I like this.

- Shall he be winning this war?
- No one knows, Your Majesty.

And how shall he be trained to rule
if he is not born to do so?

He doesn't rule them. He only sees that the
laws they make themselves are carried out.

And I believe he studied very hard.
He educated himself.

This difficult thing,
as I know of sad experience.

I teach myself English and other language.

In this respect,
Mr Lincoln and I much alike.

He said something about progress once,
when he was speaking at a school.

He said he was afraid we were inclined to
accept as wisdom what is only knowledge,

and to accept as progress
things that are nothing more than change.

He said true progress must bear
some relation to man's character.

It must have its roots in his heart.

I think I like this Mr Lincoln.

Why is he not winning war? Has he enough
guns, and elephants for transporting same?

There are no elephants in America.

- No elephants?
- No, Your Majesty.

Ah. No wonder Mr Lincoln does not win war.

- We will write letter to Mr Lincoln.
- Now, Your Majesty?

Now. When you think?
Now always best time.

But I wanted to talk to you
about the slave woman.

Take letter to Mr Lincoln.

Yes, Your Majesty.

(speaks Siamese) Maha Mongkut,

by the blessing of the highest superagency
of the whole universe, king of Siam.

Sovereign of all interior tributary countries
adjacent and around in every direction,

et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

To His Most Respected Excellent...

To His Most Respected Excellent Presidency,

President of the United States of America.

It has occurred to us...

"lt has occurred to us..."

..that, should there be several pairs
of young male elephants

turned loose in forests of America,

we are of opinion that after a while they will
increase in numbers and inhabitants of...

- Your Majesty.
- Well?

I don't think you mean
pairs of male elephants.

Do not interrupt.

Inhabitants of America will be able to catch
them, tame them and use them as beasts of...

- Your Majesty.
- How can I think such...

Only male elephants?

Hm. Hm.

We on our part will procure
young male and female elephants

and forward them on to you
one or two pairs at a time.

Believe me.
Yours faithfully, et cetera, et cetera.

That is all. You may go.

But, Your Majesty, I had hoped
you'd talk about the slave woman.

That is all. Good day, Mem Owens.

Good day, Your Majesty.

"True progress shall lie in man's heart."

Good morning, Lady Tuptim.

I wish to show you something very beautiful.

Oh, how lovely.

My name mean "pomegranate".

He say I am most perfect
and fascinating woman in palace.

- It's a beautiful gift.
- It is worth thousand times price of slave.

Then the slave is free?

She mean nothing to me now.

I do not wish to see her again.

It was very generous of you, Lady Tuptim.

Perhaps it means
much more than you realise.

- You did not know this? That she is free?
- No.

It is strange he did not tell you this.

He didn't give me any answer at all. I...

Then you did talk to him.

And it is you he listened to.

If I am not first here, what is left for me?

"l appreciate most highly
Your Majesty's tender of good offices

in forwarding to this government

a stock from which a supply of elephants
might be raised on our own soil."

"But, unfortunately,
the present jurisdiction of this government..."

"Jurisdiction"?

It means "authority".

Jurisdiction.

Jurisdiction.

"..the present jurisdiction of this government

no longer reaches
those latitudes southernly enough

to favour the multiplication of the elephant."

"But this nation is warmly grateful for
this indication of Your Majesty's friendship,

and commends both Your Majesty
and the generous people of Siam

to the blessings of almighty God."

"Your good friend, Abraham Lincoln."

Yes, I think I like this Mr Lincoln.

Jurisdiction.

Jurisdiction.

But no elephants.

I thought the prince
might come to lunch, but he didn't.

I think he's lonesome. He doesn't even
live with his mother, or talk to her.

It's almost as if he didn't have a mother.
Why is that?

Well, that's just
the way things are out here, dear.

He hasn't seemed quite so interested
in school. Probably something on his mind.

- I'll have to find time to talk to him...
- Mem... Mem...

His Majesty wish
that you come to him at once.

- But we're just beginning luncheon.
- His Majesty say you shall come right now.

Oh, dear.

Mem, shall it be proper for English dignitary
to see some of our women?

If Your Majesty were in England, you'd wish
to see some of the prettiest women there.

But how shall I let him see them like this?

No shoes on feet.

He will go back and tell Queen Victoria
I am barbarian.

- Why you not think of that?
- Who will tell her?

Sir Edward Ramsay.

So you, mem, shall choose
most beautiful women of harem

and dress and educate same
in European custom for presentation.

Well, when do you wish to have them ready?

Five o'clock postmeridian this Saturday.

But that's only four days.
I can't possibly have them ready in four days.

Mem, shall it be possible
you are becoming lazy?

I'm not lazy at all. I simply can't...

Perhaps if mem understood
very great importance of occasion...

Then why have you not told her this?

Mem...

Do you think I am barbarian?

Of course not, Your Majesty.

I hope Sir Edward shall agree with you.

Situation for Siam very murky and critical.

Oh? What's happened?

My agents in Singapore have obtained
copies of letters to British government

from certain persons wishing
to acquire interests in Siam or parts thereof.

Such letters describing me as barbarian,

and not suitable as ruler of Siam.

Wherefore they suggest necessity
of establishing protectorate, maybe.

That's outrageous!

I have met situation by requesting
official visit of British representative,

who shall see for himself
whether or not I am barbarian,

and make report of same
to your gracious queen.

So now you see necessity
of making dresses for them.

Your Majesty, wouldn't it make
a better impression upon Sir Edward

if the ladies receive
in their own manner and dress?

Mem, you are not scientific.

He knows we are Siamese.
I wish him to see we are also European.

So you shall tell me which girls are most like
European women for dressing as same.

Very well, then.

Let me see.

- Son Klin, stand still. How can I possibly...
- Mem, what kind of men are English men?

I have heard they have the evil eye. Terrible
blue eyes, mem, that look into the soul.

Nonsense. Whoever heard of such a thing?

- Oh, dear!
- What shall be trouble now?

I forgot - they've practically
nothing to wear underneath.

- Shall you wear something underneath?
- Certainly, Your Majesty.

(speaks Siamese)

I am not aware of difference.

There is a great difference, Your Majesty,
whether you're aware of it or not.

All properly dressed European ladies
must have undergarments.

If I am not aware of difference,
how shall Sir Edward be?

- But he might notice.
- He should not.

Mem, what is your opinion?
Shall they be all right?

I think they're going to look charming.

Your Majesty,
do you mind if I make a suggestion?

What shall this be?

I think it's wrong
that the only reports about Siam

are taken back
by sea captains and adventurers.

I think that, if you ask him,

Sir Edward would help you get officials
from England to be here permanently.

A consulate, I mean. And such men
would tell the truth in their reports.

As long as you're having Sir Edward here,
why not have other people at the same time?

The Dutch and the French, all the Europeans
you can reach with invitations.

And ask their help in accomplishing
the same thing with their countries.

- All at same time?
- Why not?

You want all the other governments
to know what you're trying to do here.

Too many people. I think you shall
proceed with the outer garments, mem.

(knocking at door)

Oh, dear, I don't think I can stand it.

You shall write invitation for dinner
for Saturday, six o'clock postmeridian,

from list of European people furnished you
hereto, and any other desirable you think of.

- Submitting names to me firstly.
- I thought you said...

We are aware gratefully
that such idea was suggested by you.

But it's idea of doing so with dinner
which is important.

All slaves shall be given you that you need
for cooking and serving. You shall train same.

You shall set table yourself, so everything
shall be done in best European custom.

I'll do everything I can,
Your Majesty, but I wish...

I shall prove to all that I am not barbarian.
You may go.

- Shall this be correct for table service?
- It's perfect. The loveliest I've ever seen.

Oh! Oh, how magnificent!

- Suitable for European, maybe?
- Oh, yes.

(speaks Siamese)

- But where are the knives and forks?
- Mem? Pure gold, mem.

We couldn't possibly use chopsticks
with soup and other things I've arranged for.

- Mem, have you such things?
- Yes, but not nearly enough for...

Get knives, forks, spoons - two kinds - from
Mem Owens, and have them copied in gold.

- But there isn't time, Your Majesty.
- They shall work without sleeping.

And if it is not done, each man
shall be beaten 100 strokes. Tell them this.

They shall be ready.

- Mem?
- Yes, Your Majesty?

Shall it be necessary for me
to use knife and fork also?

It would be desirable, I think, Your Majesty.

W-w-would you like me to show you how?

That shall not be necessary.
I have ability for proper use without lesson.

Now, ladies, take your seats, please.

All you have to do is sit in your chair
until His Majesty makes the presentation,

then rise and bow.

- Now, do you understand?
- (all) Oh, yes, mem.

I only hope you do when the time comes.
Now, just sit quietly until the presentation.

And for goodness' sake,
be careful with your dresses.

Your Majesty, may I present
Mrs Cortright and Mr Cortright.

Mr Cortright is the editor
of the newspaper in Singapore.

Ah.

This is newspaper that prints I am spare man.

I should like to talk with you, Mr Cortright.

Rose-water. Hospitable custom of country.

Wherefore have you decorated yourself
better than all the rest?

- Shall it be for my observation?
- Your Majesty...

You are fine. Very fine indeed.

Your Majesty, may I present Miss Elizabeth
McFarlane, who has come out from England.

Miss McFarlane's brother
is the lieutenant governor in Singapore.

- Are you an anecdote, Miss McFarlane?
- I beg your pardon?

You are unmarried woman?

An anecdote and an unmarried woman
are not the same in English.

They are the same.

An anecdote is a hereto-untold event
of curious interest.

An unmarried woman's life is also an untold
event, and therefore of curious interest.

- I say they are the same.
- But...

Well, this will make an interesting anecdote
for you, Miss McFarlane.

- It makes no difference...
- Miss McFarlane would like some rose-water.

She is very ugly.

Herewith shall be list of subjects
for you to bring up,

because on such subjects I am very brilliant
and will make fine impression.

- Mem?
- Yes, Alak?

The napkins, they did not come.
I think he will be very angry.

It's too late now.
We can only pray he won't notice.

His Majesty made an interesting point
about Moses, when he was reading the Bible.

Moses. A very remarkable man.
If you remember, he wrote in the Bible...

But unfortunately the present jurisdiction
of my good friend Mr Lincoln's country

did not favour multiplication of the elephant,
and we considered the idea was not practical.

I was not aware Your Majesty was so familiar
with Mr Lincoln and the war in America.

Ah. This is point. This is exactly
impression I hope you will correct.

Court of Siam, through much study thereof,

is familiar with happenings
on the entire globe of modern world.

And now, ladies, gentlemen,

I commend to you
theatricals for your pleasure.

And they shall be
of history of kingdom of Siam.

A very old and very proud history.

(traditional music)

Not now, Your Majesty. They've finished.

Mem, may I permit them
to say I am barbarian without napkins?

(knocking at door)

Oh, no.

Gracious heavens. Now?

Wherefore do you not sit down
when I am in same position?

I have experienced very fatiguing day.

So have l, Your Majesty, and it's very late.

Very anxious day for me also.
I had great fears for success.

Are you aware of why I am so hungry?

I was sick. Very sick.

However, I shall tell you that,
on account of conversation with Sir Edward,

we are in accord with British government
regarding consulates

and other matters
relating to security of this nation.

And very happy thereof.

I'm very happy too, Your Majesty. Very.

Well, l...

I... hope you will accept
slight gift of appreciation.

For you.

Your Majesty, you're very kind.

I shall treasure it always.

Shall you be hungry?

Terribly.

Plenty for two.

Well, this is odd.
Where do you suppose everybody is?

- Perhaps they're just late.
- Well, it's queer they should all be late.

Looks as though
something extraordinary's going on.

- Perhaps there won't be any school today!
- I'll find out what's happening.

- May I get my pony and ride?
- If you like, dear.

But be sure you take Moonshee with you.

(door opens)

Good day, sir.

Lady Thiang,
something very strange is going on.

I'd be grateful
if you could tell me what's happening.

Why you concerned with such matters,

instead of school?

Because whatever it is, it affects my school.
And me.

- Why you come to me?
- Because I thought you would know.

- You do not say I told you.
- Of course not.

- Lady Tuptim has been found.
- Tuptim?

Didn't you know
she had run away from the palace?

No.

She hasn't been to school
for some time, but...

How could she
possibly get out of the palace?

She escaped in robes of novice of the
priesthood... which someone gave to her.

- Where was she found?
- I do not know.

All I do know is,

when she was brought back to the palace,

they brought a young priest with her.

- What will this mean, Lady Thiang?
- What it has always meant here.

- When will she go on trial?
- They question her now.

You mean her trial has already begun?

This is not the same thing.

- But she will have a...
- I do not say any more.

And I think it will be best
if you return to teaching of pupils.

Thank you, Lady Thiang.

The other novices who lived in cell with me
never knew I was woman until this morning.

They were with me all the time.

If they did not know I was woman,
how could he know?

They will tell you he did not know. Why are
they not here? Why do you not ask them?

The truth is, this man got you a novice's robe
in which you escaped from the palace.

You went to his cell and stayed with him
there until you were found.

Will you confess to this,
or must we get it out of him?

No, wait!

You must believe the truth about him.

He had nothing to do with it.
He is completely innocent.

I went to the monastery
because I did not know where else to go.

But Phra Palat did not recognise me,
not then or ever.

Not even though he had known me
since he was a boy.

I had been betrothed to him by my family
before I was sent to palace.

After I was sent to palace, he entered the
priesthood and put me out of his mind.

If he ever thought of me at all,

he thought of me as gone forever
beyond the wall of inside.

He taught us every day.

And I grew quiet and happy
because I was near him.

I no longer wanted to be anything to him.

Only to be near him.

Only to be near him.

A very pretty story, and you told it
beautifully.

Only no one believes you, of course.

Now, let us get back to the beginning.

- You went to this man because you love him.
- No!

- You live in his cell as a woman.
- Ask the others. They will tell you the truth.

You make him break his holy vows. Confess!

I will not. I will not!

Stop it! Stop it, do you hear? Stop it!

She's telling the truth and you know it.

Why don't you call the other novices?
You don't want the truth.

I shall go to the king
and have her taken out of your hands.

We will wait.

The mem has much to learn.

Your Majesty will forgive me.
It's a matter of great importance.

It's Lady Tuptim, Your Majesty.

Is there nothing dishonourable to me
that is secret here?

Go. All of you, out!

It will be better if you understand at once

that this matter does not concern you.

But it does. It does, dreadfully. Because
of her, and even more because of you.

Your Majesty, I'm sure if you'd known in the
first place she was in love with someone else,

you never would have
allowed her to be brought here.

But now they're trying to make her confess
to something that isn't true.

Torturing her,
without regard to proof or witnesses.

You waste your time.

But surely you're going to see
that they call her witnesses?

This shall be my affair.

You must, when she's called to trial.

I do not wish... to talk more of this.

You can't refuse her a trial.
There must be a law in this...

I am the law!

That's what I was afraid of, Your Majesty.

I beg you, don't take revenge on this girl.

If you do, you'll have thrown away
everything you've done.

All you built up for your country and yourself,
with such labour, against such odds.

And you'll never be able to get it back again.

How can you have faith yourself
in what you're doing?

Or ask anyone else to believe in you,
or the country you represent,

when you know yourself
you're only pretending?

That you don't give a snap of your fingers
for your people or human progress.

That it's a lie. Something to cover up
caprice and passion and self-indulgence.

You go too far.

This girl hurt your vanity, that's all.
You don't love her.

She didn't hurt your heart. You haven't
a heart. You've never loved anyone.

You are a barbarian.

You'll never change.
You'll be a barbarian as long as you live.

Mem...

how shall you like
if I make you watch what I shall do?

He has not sinned!

He did no wrong to anyone!

We have not sinned!

We have not sinned!

(Tuptim screaming in agony)

- Goodbye, memcha.
- Goodbye, Prince Sawat.

- Goodbye, memcha.
- Goodbye, Princess Phatana.

- Goodbye, memcha.
- Goodbye, Princess Sumawa.

- Goodbye, memcha.
- Goodbye, Princess Mowana.

- Where's Prince Chulalongkorn?
- He would not come.

- Memcha?
- Princess?

I will always feel so unhappy,

thinking of you
being among all those English people.

I shan't ever forget you, Princess.

Goodbye.

I guess that's all.

You go on, Mother.

Why? What are you going to do, Louis?

I rather thought
I'd like to say goodbye to the prince.

Oh.

It's odd he wasn't here today.

Well, he's funny.

All right, dear, but don't be too long.

Oh.

- Good day, sir.
- Good day.

We are wishing
to say something to you, mem.

Oh?

Be seated, please.

Shall you be ready?

(giggles nervously)

"Dear friend and teacher."

"My goodness gracious, do not go away."

"We are in great need of you."

"We are like one blind."

"Do not let us fall down in darkness,

but continue good
and sincere concern for us

and lead us in the right road."

"Your loving pupils."

Thank you.

Thank you.

You can't imagine...

You can't imag...

Lady Thiang...

I came here because l...

I've seen very little of you lately.

Somehow I have a feeling
you've been avoiding me.

I should hate to leave like that.

I have a sense of having failed here, but...

I'd hoped that we had become
rather special friends.

If there's any reason why...

Does the mem want me
to say she has not failed?

Or does she wish me to speak truth?

Why, the truth, of course.

This is maybe not good room
for mem to speak about her failure.

Has she ever observed my wallpaper?

- It's very beautiful.
- But you have not really looked at it.

It tells a story,
for anyone with the eyes to see.

I had it painted.

That straight young tree

is like unto me when I am young

and became first wife to my lord,

who is the great tree there.

I am happy, and you can see
that there are flowers all around.

They are the happiness
that grows in our shadow.

But here, other trees grow up
between me and my lord.

That is custom - for king to take many wives.

And here, my lord the king, the great tree,
grows very fast, very high,

trying to touch stars.

But the branches are bare,

not green with leaves
to make kind shadow from the sun.

See? The flowers are almost gone.

And the small tree, which is me,

droops and withers.

I cannot help him.

And here...

I see that beside me,
very small tree is growing.

This is my son,

the prince who shall be king.

See that the ground is all bare now.

The sun is very cruel.

I try to shelter him,

but I am very small,
because I am only woman.

I try, but I do not know if I can do this.

- But you haven't finished it.
- No.

I did not know what the end shall be.

But I know now, and I do not wish to paint it.

I cannot help him.

This tree will not be better than the other one.

And this shall be your fault,

Mem Owens.

You should have helped him.

That is what I hoped for.

He wished for such love as your son has.

That is what he needed.

I watch him.

He could have grown gentle and kind.

And in this is happiness, not in lessons.

All this you could have given him,

but I could not.

He is the one you fail.

And I shall remember you for this failure

every time I look at my son,

as long as I shall live.

(sobbing)

Memsahib! Memsahib!

Only infidels would send gifts
at a time like this, memsahib.

They should be sold,
and this I will undertake for you.

Yes, we'll see, Moonshee.

- Good day, mem.
- Your Excellency.

You're better today, mem?

Much better.

Won't you sit down, Excellency?

Not today, mem. I'm here officially today.

I have something I'm ordered to read to you.

Are you prepared for listening, mem?

Yes.

"The unforeseen misfortune

of mournful event of death
of said affectionate boy

has caused great sorrow
to His Majesty and to royal family,

since this boy was beloved by all
as if member of said family."

"But as sign of regret
that events of such sorrowful nature

must be arriving to those
deserving of better happiness,

12 September is appointed
as day of mourning for entire country,

to observe same with fireworks and other
ceremony just as for member of royal family."

"Also, from this day,

Mem Anna Owens shall bear title
of Lady Kroo Yai of Kingdom of Siam,

as mark of sad respect of said nation."

"Maha Mongkut, king of Siam."

Took him a long time to write it, mem.

He wrote it many times.

It was very kind of him.

Mem...

please, try and understand.

He's trying to say in this letter
that he is sorry.

Not only about your son,

but about the woman.

That he was wrong.
That you spoke truth to him.

That nothing is any better for it.

That is very much for him to say, mem.

It is first time that he shall have tried
to say that he is sorry to any person.

Please thank him for me.

Memsahib, is this to be put up with?

Is it to be endured?
For Louis sahib - fireworks?

They're holding religious services too,
if you listen.

Then listen.

(man chanting prayers in distance)

Mem.

- You may go.
- Yes, memcha.

- Memcha...
- Your Royal Highness.

I came...

I wanted to ask...

Do you... remember this?

When we said goodbye to each other,
he gave it to me.

I think that you shall maybe want it back.

No.

It was Louis's, to give to whom he pleased.

- You think that I may keep it?
- Yes.

- Mem?
- Yes, Your Royal Highness?

I did not give Nar Lek...
That is what I call Louis.

I did not give him anything, and there is
something I would have given to him, I think.

It is white. Not all white, of course,
but it is whiter than most.

And it is mine.

There are not many things that are mine.

Not really. I mean, to give.

So if you wouldn't mind taking it,
maybe... maybe it would be like...

- What is it?
- My elephant.

It's almost white, and...

You liked Louis, didn't you?

Well, he gave me the knife,

and he'd like it if you had
something that could take care of you.

I think he's very strong, the elephant,
and I like him very much.

But... if you gave me this strong, gentle
elephant, who's going to look after you?

You're growing so fast,
your wrists are sticking out of your jacket.

- Somebody really ought to look after you.
- Mem... Mem...

You sent for me, Your Majesty?

Yes, l... I sent for you.

What is it, Your Majesty?

I...

Mem, doctors I send say you do not
take medicine for sleeping as prescribed.

Resting shall be necessary. I do not know
why you shall be so strong-headed in this.

I'm sorry. I'm afraid I haven't...

I want Your Majesty to know
that I'm very grateful

for the kind things you've done since...

since my boy's death.

Such things I do not important.

- Is that all, Your Majesty?
- No.

This is not all.
I have other matter to talk with you.

Mem, I become every day
more behind with work,

which every day becomes more difficult,

thus making for me much confusion
and weariness, et cetera.

For such instance,
it shall be important to know -

why shall geographies say
this is absolute monarchy?

How shall I be absolute if, when I wish
something to be so, it doesn't happen,

despite my absolute will
to the contrary? Geographies!

What is opinion, mem?

I don't know. I...

Never mind. Is difficult question.

I am also much worried whether I shall
send delegate, suitable display, et cetera

to great exhibition in Paris. What is opinion?

It sounds like an admirable idea,
Your Majesty.

I think you shall not give opinion
so quickly, without thinking.

Maybe French have murky reason
for suggesting such exhibit.

Why you not think of this?

It would be much help if you would examine
correspondence for such murky propositions.

This I am too burdened to do myself,
and there is no one else to be trusted.

This shall be much important, mem.

What shall answer be?

I can't, Your Majesty.

Mem, shall you be forgetting
that work is always best remedy?

I know, but I can't. I can't take
any more letters or give any more advice.

I'd like to, but I can't.

What shall you be doing, then?
You do not go away?

I don't know, l...

I haven't been able to think. I...

I'd like to keep on with my school, I think.

I've nowhere else... I...

I'd like to keep on with my school.

But, Mem, only schoolteaching?
I think that also...

It's the children I want.

It's the children. (sobs)

Very well, mem.

I think if you do other work such as letters,

such arrangement would contemplate
raise in salary, but...

Very well, mem.

That will be all for today.

And for tomorrow you need not prepare
the lesson in geography.

I find His Majesty has done away
with the geographies we had,

so we'll have to wait till new books arrive.

That's all. You may go.

If... If any of you would like to remain,
for any questions...?

- Mem?
- Yes, Alak?

- His Majesty wishes...
- I told him...

We are writing correspondence.

Suddenly he very angry.

I do not know why.

He say he cannot do such things alone.

He say no one tell him truth.

He say there is no one to be trusted.

He say...

Oh, mem.

If you will not come,
it will be very bad for me.

(inaudible)

(knocking at door)

I'm coming, I'm coming.

(inaudible)

(king) Et cetera...

et cetera...

et cetera.

- (Anna) F.
- (all) F.

- G.
- G.

- H.
- H.

Mem, you must come.

Quick, mem.

Please remain in your seats until I return.

He worked late into night.

They thought he had fallen into sleep, as he
has often done lately, and they let him rest.

But he was ill. Very ill.

He asked for us.

But we must wait again.

Maybe for last time.

(man chanting prayers)

Mem!

Yes, Your Majesty?

Wherefore... have you not
arrived more quickly?

I wish to talk to you.

I'm sorry.

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

Sit down, mem.

- You mustn't talk now, Your Majesty.
- I shall talk, I say.

There is not much time. I die, mem.

No!

Do not say foolish things.
I know if I die or do not die.

You shouldn't be here.
Can't we move you to your room?

No. I wish to remain here,
in room with knowledge.

I have finished thinking about dying.

I think of many other things
while I am lying here.

I think of things... I should have said to you.

I mean...

when I think maybe I do not see you again, l...

I write down these things.

I think maybe it will be better
he shall read them.

Shall you be listening, old friend?
There shall be words for you too.

I'm listening, Toongramon.

"l think there shall not be much importance
that a man shall die,

for it is time that does
all true things, not man."

"Then I think it shall be important to consider
those who have been of most help."

Ah! Words, words.

I wish to say...

you...

You have spoken truth to me, always.

Even when I do not wish to hear it, you have
always courage to say when I am wrong.

You have set feet of children
on excellent path of learning,

and are therefore
most affectionately thought of by same.

More so... than regular parents,

including self.

So that if some shall grow
better than parents...

it shall be your doing.

And as reward for this,
what shall I have done?

I have often lost my temper on you.

I have never spoken gratitude of feeling.

I haven't even given promised raise in salary.

I do not wish to die without having said that...

gratitude...

and...

and large respect,

and...

confidence...

on you,

which shall have become larger every day.

But, mem,

if I haven't graciously said
this gratitude before,

you must remember
you have been very difficult woman.

Much more difficult than... than generality.

Generality.

That's a good word.

It means...

It means...

Never mind.

True progress...

shall lie...

Et cetera,

et cetera,

et cetera.

He tried so hard. No one will ever know.

It was so hard to let anyone help him.

He wanted to,

but he couldn't.

He was like a little boy sometimes.

You remember about the forks and knives.

And he was sick that night, he cared so much.
They didn't know he cared like that.

Nobody understood.

Not really.

It seems a long time ago,
I tried to make you understand this man.

I do not think I said it half so well.

What happens now?

All his work, and...?

I think now the young prince
will have much need of you.

It was meant
that you shall stay and help him, mem.

Let this, our first message to our people,
be proclaimed.

And not as if we were doing
a great and lordly thing,

but only what is right and fitting.

But from this hour, the ancient national
custom of obeisance on hands and knees

is abolished.

And all men shall stand before the king,

and before one another,

as men should do.

And let it be the spirit of this proclamation

that this shall be the first of many changes

which we hope to bring about
as soon as they are possible.

As I believe my father, the late king,
would wish us to do.

And as I have learned
it is right and necessary to do

if we are to live and work together

in liking and respect for one another,

as we must do

if we are to work together
for the good of our country.

Visiontext Subtitles: Rob Colling

English SDH