Product Details

• Actors: Massimo Troisi, Philippe Noiret, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Renato Scarpa, Linda Moretti
• Directors: Michael Radford
• Writers: Massimo Troisi, Michael Radford, Anna Pavignano, Antonio Skármeta, Furio Scarpelli
• Producers: Alberto Passone
• Format: Color, Dolby, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: Italian (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Miramax
• DVD Release Date: March 14, 2000
• Run Time: 108 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (134 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305291403
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,848 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Il Postino" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Italian star and filmmaker Massimo Troisi was dying of heart failure even before this film, his dream project, began production, and he prevailed upon British director Michael Radford (White Mischief) to see him and the film through to the end. (The 40-year-old Troisi, a beloved comic actor in Italy, died the day production wrapped.) Based on true events, Troisi plays a shy postman who strikes up an unlikely friendship with exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda (Philippe Noiret). Through Neruda's example and tutelage, the hero learns to think of his Italian fishing village in lyrical terms, as well as how to talk to women and even find the strength to take his political stands. Sweet as it is, the film finally pushes beyond its charming borders to become an even more complex and poignant story about the pain of growing into one's destiny. --Tom Keogh

Product Description

Cheered by critics and audiences everywhere, IL POSTINO (THE POSTMAN) is the record-breaking Academy Award(R)-winning (Best Dramatic Score, 1995) romantic comedy that delivers heartfelt laughs! Mario is a bumbling mailman who's madly in love with the most beautiful woman in town ... and who's too shy to tell her how he feels. But when a world-famous poet -- Pablo Neruda -- moves into town, Mario is inspired. With Neruda's help, he finds the right words to win the woman's heart! This unforgettably funny comedy proves that passion ... with some artful deception ... can win the most improbable love!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 72 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming and poignant September 26, 2003

By Debbie Lee Wesselmann TOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

I absolutely adore this film, a touching story of the relationship between an timid but passionate postal carrier and the Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda. As Neruda and his poetry instruct the mailman in the ways of love, a courtship blossoms that has all the humor and bittersweet missteps of the real thing. Director Radford uses a light touch to illuminate the unusual relationship between the exiled poet and an ordinary man. Massimo Troisi as Mario (the postman) turns in a fine performance that should not be missed; his characterization of a clueless man desperately in love with both words and a woman cannot be forgotten. Likewise, Philippe Noiret as Neruda provides a memorable portrait of a man who can forget the power of his words.

I can't help comparing "Il Postino" to "Life is Beautiful", also an Italian film that relies on initial humor to set up the pain found in the human heart. "Il Postino" is more subtle, however, and more realistic. Still, those who enjoyed "Life is Beautiful" should also like "Il Postino."

I recommend this film highly. You don't need to know anything about Neruda to enjoy it; all you need to be is human.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Il Postino is an Excellent Movie December 17, 1999

By Laura Roth

Format:VHS Tape

Il Postino is a wonderful and heartwarming adaptation of Antonio Skarmenta's novel, El cartero de Neruda, which is not likely to disappoint audiences who are prepared to watch a foreign film with sub-titles. The movie is certainly not a tear-jerker, but any viewer will find themselves becoming emotionally attached to its characters and highly affected by the fate which befalls them.

The film, directed by Michael Radford, is the story of a humble Italian postman who is greatly changed by the famous Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda for whom he works for in a small Italian village. As the audience, we observe their acqaintanceship as it changes and eventually develops into a true and unforgettable friendship. Without a doubt, some audiences will find Il Postino tedious because of the simple plot and the lack of sex and violence. Nevertheless, it is an an emotional and powerful movie that I highly recommend because of its strong character portrayal. In my opinion, Il Postino is truly successful because of its wonderful acting by Massimo Troisi, who accurately portrays the innocent postman as well as Philippe Noiret, who is a very endearing and astonishing Pablo Neruda.

In addition to the acting, the Italian landscape is a breathtaking and integral part of Il Postino. Radford effectively incorporates the beautiful mountains and seascape as the story's background. It is a refreshing decision by Radford which only adds to the poetry which Noiret recites periodically throughout the film.

I am certainly the type of person who prefers the book to the movie, but in this particular case, I feel that the movie surpasses the Skarmenta's novel by far. I recommend this movie to anyone who is tired of movies with gratuitous sex and violence as well as hackneyed forumlas. The sub-titles are by no means a hinderance to the film and I guarentee by its end that you will be fascinated by the Italian language.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars il postino incomplete on amazon.com February 15, 2000

By Douglas Taylor

Format:VHS Tape

This charming story has been harmed with the omission of the most sensual scene, between the postman and the lady he loves, when she is playing on the soccer game with him in the bar. In the original film she uses the ball as bait, rolling it enticingly between her breasts and completing the captivation of her ardent admirer. This little bit of interplay has been cut out almost entirely, definitely damaging the impact of the film. I would not have purchased it knowing of this in advance. It is amazing that a little sensual interaction is not acceptable in a world where violent death is. This is a four star movie that has been cheapened by "cleaning it up."