Cast
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Kevin Costner
as The Postman
Will Patton
as Bethlehem
Larenz Tate
as Ford
Olivia Williams
as Abby
James Russo
as Idaho
Daniel von Bargen
as Sheriff Briscoe
Tom Petty
as Bridge City Mayor
Scott Bairstow
as Luke
Giovanni Ribisi
as Bandit #20
Roberta Maxwell
as Irene March
Joe Santos
as Getty
Ron McLarty
as Old George
Peggy Lipton
as Ellen March
Brian Anthony Wilson
as Woody
Todd Allen
as Gibbs
Crew
Director
- Kevin Costner
Producer
- Kevin Costner
- Jim Wilson
- Steve Tisch
Reviews
Patrick E. Abe
Who will be responsible now, for these wayward children?
That's a phrase that's in the book, but not the movie. I liked David Brin's tale of the communities growing up from a near-apocalypse and the conman, "Gordon Krantz."
When I first saw the (overlong) movie, I was disappointed and felt Responsibility had been tossed aside. However, this tale of a traveling Shakepeare-mangler grew on me. David Brin himself defended the film, saying that the resolution of the battle between the Holnist/Survivalists and the postal carriers was good.
Our drifter, accompanied by a mule, visits communities and puts on a "fractured fairy tales" version of Shakespeare for a meal and a night's lodging. Things go South suddenly, when a Survivalist army surrounds the town and drafts men/boys for the "Army of the Eight."
The leader of this gang, prefers that he is the only literate person in the land, and tries to kill "Shakespeare," after turning the traveler's mule into stew. A narrow escape later, the drifter finds a U.S. Postal Service jeep, containing a uniformed skeleton and a bag of mail.
Thus begins his next con job, "delivering the mail," which turns into a Crusade, led by "Ford Lincoln Mercury," his next mail carrier. Romance pops up, when he is asked to father a child for a man who "caught the bad Measles." The Holnists turn up again, and the pair flee the village.
After a long Winter, the drifter and the pregnant woman return to free the village from the Holnists, who have been killing mail carriers. A final showdown with the "impotent ex-copier salesman" leads to "The Restored United States of America" and a legendary statue of The Postman. 7/10, but the book is 10/10!
Nov 6, 2016
misubisu
This movie fits firmly in the "it's so bad it's good" category.
It's so outrageous, that you just have to see how it's going to end up.
The dialogue/scripts are woeful... but they are delivered with such passion that it almost leaves you breathless.
At the end of the movie, I had no idea what I had just watched, but definitely felt that I had been entertained!
Go figure.
Nov 21, 2022
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Science Fiction/Adventure/Action film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, The Postman distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Kevin Costner brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1997, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Postman took approximately 14 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $80.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 177 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 204 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 7 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
Historical Context
- In 1997, when this film was released:
- The end of the Cold War was reshaping global politics.
- Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Postman shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Female Fight Squad, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, The Postman subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Macross: Do You Remember Love? and 2012 explore similar territory, The Postman stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: December 25, 1997
- Runtime: 2h 57m
- Budget: $80,000,000
- Revenue: $17,626,234
