The Postman (1997)

1997 | Action | Sci-Fi

177 mins

Years after a major global conflict has left the United States in dystopian disarray, a nomadic traveler who becomes known as the Postman (Kevin Costner) wanders through towns in the Northwest, delivering old mail. Thanks to the Postman's presence, people begin to believe that the U.S. government has been restored. During his travels, the Postman becomes involved with the lovely Abby (Olivia Williams) and clashes with the dictatorial Gen. Bethlehem (Will Patton).



Produced by Warner Home Video
Director Kevin Costner
Writer Eric Roth
Cast Kevin Costner, Will Patton, Larenz Tate, Olivia Williams, James Russo, Daniel von Bargen, Tom Petty and Scott Bairstow

Images And Data Courtesy Of: Warner Home Video.
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Andy K

Added this item on Feb 23, 2017

The Postman (1997) Reviews & Ratings (12)
9-10
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7-8
41.7% (5)
5-6
50.0% (6)
3-4
8.3% (1)
1-2
0.0% (0)

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The Postman (1997)
The Postman (1997)
1997 | Action, Sci-Fi
Tom petty is a funny choice.... (0 more)
I wanted to like this movie, and there are moments where it's good....
But alas, once you've seen it, there's not much reason to ever see it again.
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Andy K (10823 KP) created a video

Nov 29, 2017 (Updated Nov 30, 2017)  
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David McK (3562 KP) rated

Jun 21, 2022  
The Postman (1997)
The Postman (1997)
1997 | Action, Sci-Fi
Kevin Costner released 'Waterworld' in 1995.

It sunk at the box office.

This was a few years later, based on the highly-respected David Brin novel of the same name.

I'm sure he wasn't expecting this one to flop either. Set in the far-off future of 2013, following a un-named catastrophe of some sort (no, not Trump)

The problem, I feel, is simply the length at nearly 3 hours long - there's some good ideas in here, and some good scenes, and a refreshing society-is-now-getting-better-again thread, after the unnamed events that led to the dystopian future shown at the start of the movie, but I do feel that the first act (in particular), playing up the threat of the fascist army led by General Bethlehem, could have been excised somewhat.

I understand why it's there - it needs to give Costner's character something to push against - but I think the book (and from what I remember) handled that aspect better than the movie does.

So, yeah, Costner plays a drifter who - after his escape from that army - discovers an old Postman uniform, initially putting it on only to become warm and then 'delivering the mail' simply as a scam to get food and shelter. However, over the course of that movie, that scam takes on a life of its own and more and more becomes the truth, finally ending with a code in the late 2040s after his death and where - going by dress, etc, - things seem to be back to 'normal'.