10 Greatest Portrayals Of Monarchs In Movie History

9. Yul Brynner - The King And I

Setting aside Yul Brynner's ethnic background (part Caucasian and part Buryat, the largest aboriginal group in Siberia) and whether or not it was appropriate for him to play a Thai king, he does a great job with the role. He brings to life King Mongkut, ruler of Thailand (then Siam) during the 1860s, a man who was known for his dedication to technical innovations and modernization. Mongkut is a much beloved figure in Thai history, and Brynner's performance befits the king's noble legacy. He brings an endearingly human element to the character -- Mongkut is intelligent and forward thinking, but he can also be a bit imperious and petulant. He comes across as a man who desperately wants to do the right thing for his people, and to prove that Siam could be just as intellectual as any Western power, but is perhaps a bit too proud to accept help easily. He is a dignified figure with a lively sense of humor, even if he does take himself too seriously sometimes. Brynner makes him a three-dimensional character, something very rare for Asian characters in Western films of the time, and indeed for characters in musicals in general.