The story mainly concerns the culture clash of the Imperialist Victorian values of the British Empire with the supposedly autocratic rule of Siam 's King Mongkut . The successful film starred Rex Harrison as the king and Irene Dunne as Anna . At the 19th Academy Awards ceremony , the film received two Oscars ; for Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction ( Lyle R. Wheeler , William S. Darling , Thomas Little , Frank E. Hughes ) . Also nominated were Bernard Herrmann for the score , the screenwriters and supporting actress Gale Sondergaard
19th Academy Awards
19th Academy Awards
Anna and the King of Siam (film)