MovieChat Forums > Anna and the King of Siam (1946) Discussion > Did her son actually die in real life?

Did her son actually die in real life?

posted 14 years ago by LitaRose
8 replies | jump to latest

I haven't read the book,but I've seen the King and I and I was just wondering does her son actually die in real life?

[–] columntwentyfive 14 years ago

LitaRose, I remember watching this as a child and looking for more information, and while doing so came across a picture of Louis and the prince in a motorcar. In the context of the time, motorcars were a novelty. So he did not die as depicted in the movie.

If I remember correctly, the picture was in the book that was actually penned by Anna Leonowens, and published later as a subsequent reprint.

Update: I stand corrected. What I read was the book by Margaret Landon.

[–] trhickey 13 years ago

The real-life Louis Leonownes returned to Siam as an adult, served as an officer in the royal cavalry, and then founded a trading firm which bears his name to this day.

[–] npaxton-3 12 years ago

I read the book many years ago and I thought that Louis did die of an illness in Siam. I also thought that Anna left Siam for a time but then returned to help and advise Prince Chulalonghorn, who became a great, progressive leader.

[–] Molly-31 12 years ago

Anna was on vacation when the King died. She thought Chulalongkorn would ask her to return, but he didn't. And actually she didn't really want to go back. She loved the kids and the wives, but she didn't like the environment and the weather was really oppressive to her health.

It was Princess Fa-Ying (Chandrmondol) who died, as shown in the 1999 film. The only inaccuracy there was that by her own account, Anna was summoned by the king saying the princess was asking for her (and the message she published looked just like something he would say, probably authentic) and the rowers got her there as fast as they could, but she arrived too late to say goodbye.

You've got me?! Who's got you?!

[–] marvelass 10 years ago

The real Louis Leonowens lived to be 62 (d. 1919) and outlived his mother by four years. So it's incorrect that he died as a child.

.

[–] mdonln 9 years ago

Wow, that must have been a bummer. A movie is made of your mother's life and they decide to kill you off because it doesn't fit the story they wanted to tell.

From the audiences perspective I can understand why they had to do it. Anna and her son were close, they couldn't very well have him just disappear without explanation. If they allowed him to grow up, there would have to be some explanation. His death also was a way to add a turning point in Anna and the king's relationship.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

[–] Jamal-Nazreddin 9 years ago

Wiki tells us Louis Thomas Leonowens founded his international trading company in 1905 to export sundry items including timber and elephants!

I've spoken to natives who don't like his trading activities.

[–] cyninbend-149-610489 9 years ago

Thank you for correcting the record. I appreciate the balanced image of him I have now.