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IMDbPro

The Postman

Original title: Il postino
  • 19941994
  • PGPG
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
37K
YOUR RATING
Massimo Troisi in The Postman (1994)
Trailer
Play trailer0:44
2 Videos
91 Photos
BiographyComedyDrama
A simple Italian postman learns to love poetry while delivering mail to a famous poet, and then uses this to woo local beauty Beatrice.A simple Italian postman learns to love poetry while delivering mail to a famous poet, and then uses this to woo local beauty Beatrice.A simple Italian postman learns to love poetry while delivering mail to a famous poet, and then uses this to woo local beauty Beatrice.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
37K
YOUR RATING
    • Michael Radford
    • Massimo Troisi(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Antonio Skármeta(novel "Ardiente Paciencia")
    • Furio Scarpelli(story)
    • Giacomo Scarpelli(story)
  • Stars
    • Massimo Troisi
    • Philippe Noiret
    • Maria Grazia Cucinotta
    • Michael Radford
    • Massimo Troisi(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Antonio Skármeta(novel "Ardiente Paciencia")
    • Furio Scarpelli(story)
    • Giacomo Scarpelli(story)
  • Stars
    • Massimo Troisi
    • Philippe Noiret
    • Maria Grazia Cucinotta
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 136User reviews
    • 39Critic reviews
    • 81Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar

    Videos2

    Il Postino
    Trailer 0:44
    Watch Il Postino
    Il Postino aka The Postman trailer
    Trailer 1:25
    Watch Il Postino aka The Postman trailer

    Photos91

    Maria Grazia Cucinotta and Philippe Noiret in The Postman (1994)
    Maria Grazia Cucinotta and Massimo Troisi in The Postman (1994)
    Maria Grazia Cucinotta in The Postman (1994)
    The Postman (1994)
    Maria Grazia Cucinotta and Massimo Troisi in The Postman (1994)
    Maria Grazia Cucinotta and Massimo Troisi in The Postman (1994)
    Maria Grazia Cucinotta and Massimo Troisi in The Postman (1994)
    Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Philippe Noiret, and Massimo Troisi in The Postman (1994)
    Maria Grazia Cucinotta and Massimo Troisi in The Postman (1994)
    Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Philippe Noiret, and Massimo Troisi in The Postman (1994)
    Philippe Noiret in The Postman (1994)
    Philippe Noiret in The Postman (1994)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Massimo Troisi
    Massimo Troisi
    • Mario Ruoppolo
    Philippe Noiret
    Philippe Noiret
    • Pablo Neruda
    Maria Grazia Cucinotta
    Maria Grazia Cucinotta
    • Beatrice Russo
    Renato Scarpa
    Renato Scarpa
    • Telegrapher
    Linda Moretti
    Linda Moretti
    • Donna Rosa
    Sergio Solli
    • Peasant
    Carlo Di Maio
    Carlo Di Maio
    • Priest
    Nando Neri
    • Marshal
    Vincenzo Di Sauro
    Orazio Stracuzzi
    Orazio Stracuzzi
    Alfredo Cozzolino
    • Di Cosimo's Associate
    Mariano Rigillo
    Mariano Rigillo
    • Di Cosimo
    Anna Bonaiuto
    Anna Bonaiuto
    • Matilde
    Calogero Azzaretto
    • Bookseller
    • (uncredited)
    Simona Caparrini
    Simona Caparrini
    • Elsa Morante
    • (uncredited)
    Angelo Casadei
    • Cinema Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    Chuck Riley
    • Narrator of Theatrical Trailer
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
      • Michael Radford
      • Massimo Troisi(uncredited)
    • Writers
      • Antonio Skármeta(novel "Ardiente Paciencia")
      • Furio Scarpelli(story) (screenplay)
      • Giacomo Scarpelli(story) (screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Writer/co-director/star Massimo Troisi postponed heart surgery so he could complete the film. The day after filming was complete, he suffered a fatal heart attack.
    • Quotes

      Mario Ruoppolo: Poetry doesn't belong to those who write it; it belongs to those who need it.

    • Alternate versions
      The Italian version of the film includes an additional title credit for Massimo Troisi, listed as co-director of the movie together with Michael Radford.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: First Knight/Party Girl/Species/Batman: Mask of the Phantasm/Il Postino (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      Madreselva
      Written by Francisco Canaro (as F. Canaro) and Luis César Amadori (as L.C. Amadori)

      Performed by Carlos Gardel

      Courtesy of E. Musical Pirovano

    User reviews136

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Metaphors
    Michael Radford, an English director, ought to be given credit for bringing this beautiful story to the screen. It speaks volumes that Mr. Radford achieves a triumph with a film that for all practical purposes should have been directed by an Italian. This is a timeless story of friendship, poetry and love set in a desolated island that was to be Pablo Neruda's home in exile.

    The story is a simple one. Mario Ruoppolo, a poor man without a job, suddenly applies for a vacant position that will pay almost nothing, but by becoming a letter carrier he gets the chance of meeting a man that will make a deep impression on him and who will change his life completely.

    Mario, the postman, is almost illiterate. He can read and write, with only the basic knowledge he probably picked up in the island school. He is allergic to fishing, and can't make a living like his father, and probably most of his ancestors before him. It's the time after WWII in which a poor Italy is still recovering from the devastation and defeat.

    Pablo Neruda, the Chilean poet, finds a rustic home in the island. He is the most famous person ever to set foot in there. Mario is in charge for bringing Pablo his packages and mail. An easy friendship develops between them. Like everyone else in the island, Mario is impressed by the foreigner. In trying to imitate his poet friend, Mario awakens to all the beauty around him and discovers love with the gorgeous local girl, Beatrice Russo.

    The film's mood changes right after Pablo Neruda and his wife receive assurances they can go back to their native land. This leaves Mario in a sad state, but now that he is married, he has other responsibilities to live for. Neruda had awakened in Mario a desire to speak for himself and to seek justice.

    This is a film totally dominated by the late Italian actor Massimo Troisi, who as Mario, completely captures us by just being a simple soul with no malice. Mr. Troisi is splendid in his take of this poor man who discovers beauty and poetry late in his life. Philippe Noiret, is Pablo Neruda. Mr. Noiret makes a great contribution as the man who sees beauty everywhere and translates it into poetry. Maria Grazia Cucinotta is the beautiful Beatrice, the woman who loves Mario. Renato Scarpa and Linda Moretti, play minor roles with success.

    "Il Postino" is helped by the magnificent cinematography of Franco di Giacomo who captures the island in all its splendor. The music score is another asset. Luis Bacalov's tuneful background music adds another layer in this film rich texture.

    This film is an excellent way to be introduced to Pablo Neruda's poetry, even if it's only for the curiosity the film will give even a casual viewer. Thanks to Michael Radford for a poetic view of this lonely place where two people meet and are changed forever.
    helpful•71
    10
    • jotix100
    • Jun 8, 2005

    FAQ2

    • Is this film based on real events?
    • What does the sign say above the café where Beatrice works?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 22, 1996 (United States)
      • Italy
      • France
      • Belgium
      • Official site
      • Italian
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Pollara, Salina Island, Aeolian Islands, Messina, Sicily, Italy
    • Production companies
      • Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica
      • Penta Distribuzione
      • Esterno Mediterraneo Film
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 48 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Stereo

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