The Postman (1997)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

Kevin Costner

Writers (WGA):

David Brin (novel)
Eric Roth (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

25 December 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

It is 2013. War has crippled the Earth. Technology has been erased. Our only hope is an unlikely hero.

Plot:

Post-apocalyptic America. What begins as a con game becomes one man's quest to rebuild civilization by resuming postal service.

Plot Keywords:

Post Apocalyptic | Leader | Letter | Binoculars | Racial Slur

Awards:

5 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Kevin Costner	...	The Postman
Will Patton	...	General Bethlehem
Larenz Tate	...	Ford Lincoln Mercury
Olivia Williams	...	Abby
James Russo	...	Idaho
Daniel von Bargen	...	Pineview Sheriff Briscoe
Tom Petty	...	Bridge City Mayor
Scott Bairstow	...	Luke
Giovanni Ribisi	...	Bandit 20
Roberta Maxwell	...	Irene March
Joe Santos	...	Colonel Getty
Ron McLarty	...	Old George
Peggy Lipton	...	Ellen March
Brian Anthony Wilson	...	Woody
Todd Allen	...	Gibbs

Runtime:

177 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Alphacine)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

Iceland:14 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Australia:M | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Singapore:PG (cut) | Philippines:PG-13 | Finland:K-14 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R | South Korea:18 | Brazil:Livre

Filming Locations:

Anacortes, Washington, USA

Company:

Tig Productions

Trivia:

Behind-the-scenes images from location shooting were broadcast live over the Internet.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When the Postman finds the old Zippo that was owned by the now deceased postman, he flicks the flint, and is surprised to find that it lights. Seeing as how that the deceased postman is now a skeleton, he has been there for quite a while. The Zippo fuel (naphtha) evaporates quite quickly, and after a few days the lighter will be useless unless he came across a bottle of naphtha.

Quotes:

The Postman: Tell me something: how much mail can a dead Postman deliver?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Swing Vote (2008)

Soundtrack:

Almost Home

Very unfairly treated movie

I know a lot of people hated this movie. I know why. It is a little saccharine in places and yes, it is not always believeable. But this is one of the few time a screenplay is better than the book it was based on. This film always fills me with such positive energy and hope. it is funny in places, sad in places, tragic and action-packed in places. Costner plays Eric with such a fresh attitude, and you can almost hear the voices in the characters head pulling his loyalties. The cast is perfect and in many places the cinamatography is sublime. The cross cuts are so clever it made my eyes ache with envy that i didnt think of them and the action sequences are fast and timed to perfection. this remains one of my favourite films and in all honesty people should give it a little more respect. no matter what you think of the script and characterisation technicly this film is top draw. Sets, locations, effects and design grab you by the hand and take you someplace you actually want to go. i would much rather make and see films like this than dross like 'chaicago' and 'moulin rouge'. this is a film for grownups with a bit of imagination and respect for the film makers art.