Compared with the Broadway cast recording, the 1956 soundtrack to the film version of The King and I wins hands down. Yul Brynner is the king (literally and figuratively) in both formats (how could anyone else own such a role?), but the movie's score has better sonics, Brynner's voice is stronger, and the tunes are more memorable (thanks to Alfred Newman's conducting and Ken Darby's scoring) than on any of the various cast recordings. Marni Nixon sings the role of Anna (played onscreen by Deborah Kerr), Brynner delivers his hallmark performance, and the best-loved tunes--"Hello, Young Lovers," "Getting to Know You," and "I Whistle a Happy Tune" are the versions we'll always remember.
This recording of THE KING AND I as well as the film soundtracks of CAROUSEL and OKLAHOMA are musically the finest recorded performances of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musicals.
This is one of the all time great musicals, which in my case means there must be audience participation (sing-a-long)! Score and lyrics are a "10"! What a film score! Enjoy this one!