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The Postman (1997)

Kevin Costner , Will Patton , Kevin Costner  |  R |  DVD
3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (406 customer reviews)


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Product Details

  • Actors: Kevin Costner, Will Patton, Larenz Tate, Olivia Williams, James Russo
  • Directors: Kevin Costner
  • Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Widescreen, NTSC
  • Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1)
  • Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
  • Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Rated: R (Restricted)
  • Studio: Warner Home Video
  • DVD Release Date: June 9, 1998
  • Run Time: 177 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (406 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: 0790736500
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,389 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • Learn more about "The Postman" on IMDb

Special Features

  • The Postman's CGI Route: special effects footage with commentary by the visual effects crew

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Falling from the Oscar-winning glory of Dances with Wolves to the opposite end of the critical and box-office scale, Kevin Costner must have been deeply humbled when this three-hour postapocalyptic tale--his sophomore effort as a director--was greeted with a critical thrashing and tepid audience response. One of the most conspicuous flops of its decade, the 1997 release must have seemed like a sure thing on paper: a kind of futurist Western starring Costner as a charismatic drifter-turned-hero who leads the resistance against a military tyrant (Will Patton) by reviving the long-dormant postal system to reunite isolated communities in their fight for freedom. The movie bombed, but, like many audacious failures, it's got qualities that make it at least partially endearing, and its earnestness (although bordering on corny) keeps it from being entirely silly. Faint praise, perhaps, but Costner's ode to patriotism is occasionally stirring and visually impressive. The dual-layered, widescreen DVD includes a documentary segment about the creation of the film's special effects sequences, featuring a running commentary by the special effects creators. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

Set in the near future after a catastrophic war which has destroyed the government, a traveler finds an old mail bag and starts delivering it.
Genre: Feature Film-Action/Adventure
Rating: R
Release Date: 8-FEB-2005
Media Type: DVD

Customer Reviews

The execution of this film's plot goes wrong too many times. Eric  |  27 reviewers made a similar statement
We believe in you, Kevin Costner! Victor Chen  |  22 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
120 of 133 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An Heretical Viewpoint June 5, 2000
Format:DVD
I believe that the reviewers must have been reading each other's reviews instead of actually watching the movie, and Costner-bashing has long been great sport among reviewers. The original David Brin novel has been improved upon in several ways. In particular, gone are the two cyborg/supermen who duked it out in the finale of the novel, a distraction and deus-ex-machina.

I especially loved the internal consistency, lack of impossible battles, and the strong development of a number of believable characters. The Holnist leader (who played a supporting role in "Armageddon") is more than a cartoon bad guy, and Costner's postman is plagued by guilt and doubt as he discovers how seriously everyone takes his "Restored United States". There is almost nothing in the movie that is irrelevant to the plot.

Yes, it is a bit slow in parts, and I was ready to quit watching after 30 minutes because I had heard that it was just another post-apocalyptic bore, but it turned into a sterling movie. Even my wife, no fan of that genre, wanted to watch it all the way through.

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69 of 75 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Sunk by Titanic, Pilloried by the Press July 26, 2000
By A Customer
Format:DVD
In the wake of Titanic's unexpected success in 1997, the media needed another Christmas epic to lambast, hence the grossly unfair pile-on that happened to Costner's The Postman. To pretend that this is another Dune or Heaven's Gate is not only hyperbolic, it is willfully dishonest (even Dune has gotten a grudging second chance with critics in recent years). The fact is, had the country's female populace not been busy swooning under Leo's spitballs, The Postman might today be regarded as the classic that it deservedly is.

Like Titanic, The Postman is lengthy and excessive, but it is also watchable and entertaining. Costner downplays his basically selfish and opportunistic title character, while his costars--Will Patton, Larenz Tate, Olivia Williams, and Giovanni Ribisi (in a brief supporting role as a grateful dupe in Bethlehem's army)--all give shining performances. Moreover, the movie's message is the opposite of blind patriotism; it cleverly skewers the militia movement in the U.S. while reminding us why democratic government came about in the first place: to keep gangsters, extortionists, and military tyrants out of our lives.

The Postman is worth your time if you haven't seen it; if you have, it deserves an honest and iceberg-free reassessment.

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146 of 166 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars POST-"apocolyptic"-MAN May 22, 2000
Format:DVD
It is difficult to review a film that you like, when every professional critic has slammed it. On the other hand, I have to believe I am not alone in my tastes, so, here is some praise for "The Postman", Kevin Costner's cinematic version of the great book of the same name, written by David Brin.

After the success of "Dances With Wolves", it's pretty clear that Costner has been trying to recapture that epic feeling. But where "Water World" was silly to the point of being a caricature of a sweeping drama, "The Postman" avoids the trap. The nemesis, General Bethlehem is played seriously by Will Patton and the situation in general is believable if not completely explained.

I admit there were a few moments that were too heavy handed, the most memorable when the Postman gallops back to snatch a letter from a boy's hand. Even so, I can forgive a little over enthusiasm when it is mixed with a stirring tale. I know that during times of war, rhetoric is grist for the mill and so, the character's obsession with the American way, is understandable, given that it no longer exists.

You see, civilisation has fallen. It's implied that nuclear weapons were used, perhaps even biological weapons. Whatever the cause, people survive precariously, huddled together in fortified towns dreading the next visit of the Holenist army. A band of thugs created during the last days of the war and now led by General Bethlehem towards some nebulous vision, who's only constant is that Bethlehem will be the one in power.

Enter stage left, an unlikely hero. Kevin Costner's character may have a name but it is not revealed during the film. At first he is known as Shakespeare because he is a wandering loner who is sometimes driven to produce one man, one mule, productions of the Bard in the hopes of winning a meal from his audience. His aimless existence is abruptly ended when he is roughly drafted into the Holenist army.

From the first he stands out from the crowd of beaten hopeless recruits and so is singled out for special torments and duties. The army life is brutal enough without having earned the enmity of your squad leader. One thing leads to another and escape presents itself for Shakespeare. Without food or any other protection he stumbles on the remains of an old mail van and spends a night huddled in its dubious warmth, kept company by the body of a US Postal worker.

Whether by chance, destiny or foresight, he dons the guise of a postman and scams his way into a local town. "The mailman's here. Lock up your dogs." So long starved of civilisation, the bedraggled townsmen clamour for news of the world, the government, the future. He has little choice but to answer their questions, with creative and plausible fictions. It is here that the wheels of fate start turning.

The idea he has created, of a new America, is too big for one man to control. The film takes us on a steamroller ride headed straight towards the Holenist army. People with hope demand action. The desire for action creates leaders. Leaders are often forced to carry out the will of the people despite a lack of talent, desire or knowledge.

In this case, a young man, self named Ford Lincoln Mercury, forces the Postman to become a symbol of civilisation and eventually the symbol of resistance. Ford's passion and his actions are resisted for a long time but eventually the Postman comes to share the myth. One man can stand up to tyranny, especially with the help of a few courageous friends and the trust of one strong willed woman.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this movie
I rarely purchase a video, but this is one of my favorite movies. It did't do well with the critics but seemed to strike a chord with me. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Forest Grove
5.0 out of 5 stars great movie
Have been looking for this movie for awhile. I have been very happy with finding movies I want to add to my collection with online shopping. Read more
Published 5 days ago by n.landry
5.0 out of 5 stars Long, but worth the watch
Kevin Costner loves detail - hence long movie. Kevin Costner and Will Patton give outstanding performances. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Scarletts Mom
3.0 out of 5 stars The Postman
As usual, the book is much better than the movie. The story takes place in a post apocalyptic America that has descended into a type of feudalism. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Cynthia P. Pearce
3.0 out of 5 stars Classic
not a bad movie. not sure how he keeps getting cast in these post-apocalyptic movies, but oh well. it wasn't anything stupendous, but worth a watch.
Published 15 days ago by Michael L. Eates
3.0 out of 5 stars It's okay
Third time I've seen it. Usually set of straw characters but not really as interesting as fish-dude was. This movie needed better bad guys.
Published 17 days ago by alexander galvin
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite movies
I love the story line and the focus ont the human spirit and the various relationships that can form in such a harsh environment.
Published 20 days ago by Rebecca M.
3.0 out of 5 stars Postman
Ok movie kind of slow and boring in spots I guess if you are in kind of a slow non thinking kind of mood it might be the one to watch
Published 20 days ago by screendog
3.0 out of 5 stars Good premise, yet so flat....
I love the premise of this movie, but the amount of cheese being flung around at the end and, actually, throughout the film left a rather flat feeling at the end. Read more
Published 23 days ago by HHalls
4.0 out of 5 stars pretty neat
I never read the book so I can not compare it there, but as a movie I enjoyed it! I liked the plot and the acting plus you see one of Kevin Costner's daughters who is very pretty. Read more
Published 24 days ago by why
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faulty disc
I know right. Also the Xbox 360 can play HD DVDs, but only if you buy the add-on player. No point since HD DVD is dead now though.
Jun 26, 2011 by ShadowFalls |  See all 3 posts
I have a "The Postman" Press Kit for sale... Be the first to reply
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