Row over King and I movie

The remake of the King and I, the film that made Yul Brynner famous in the 1950s, has been rejected by Thailand's Film Board. Arts Correspondent Razia Iqbal reports.

The script for the film Anna and the King of Siam was first rejected three weeks ago.

Twentieth Century Fox subsequently re-submitted it, with some revisions, but even these are not thought to go far enough.

The film board said that historical inaccuracies remained and the script is still deemed to be insulting to the Thai monarchy.

The King and I made Yul Brynner a star in the 50s

The now classic musical, based on the19th Century experiences of an English teacher, Anna Leonowens, who served as a tutor to King Mongkut's children, has been banned in Thailand.

The country's royal family is enormously revered. In cinemas all over the country films are preceded by the royal anthem and audiences stand in respect, while homage to the current King Bhumipol is shown.

Insulting the monarchy can result in a jail term of up to 15 years. It is not surprising then, that a remake of the 1950's musical, The King and I, should sound alarm bells with the Thai Film Board.

Relocating to Malaysia

The Thai people regard Hollywood's portrayal of King Mongkut -- a noted Buddhist scholar and linguist, who helped bring his country into the modern era -- as an insulting caricature.

But it is thought that the current monarch, King Bhumipol, has seen the musical and finds it entertaining.

Nevertheless, the Thai Film Board has stood by its judgement that the script of the remake will offend Thai sensibilities.

Last week a senior member of the government spoke out in favour of the film being shot in Thailand because at least the government would retain some influence; influence it will lose, if as is now likely, if the film is shot in Malaysia.

A representative of the film project said: "Most of the film staff are now in Malaysia and most likely the company will have to shift the location to that country."