User reviews

Listen I know that Costner has a rep. For long drawn out story lines and his movies can be on the slow side, but give this one a chance, it makes you feel proud at the end and I tell you that you will not feel like you wasted your time and if you do I will refund your money on this review, with your receipt of course.

It is Post-Apocalyptic, but don't hold that against it, it has some great twists and turns, it has action and even some romance, if you are into that sort of thing and in the end you feel better about the world in general. I enjoyed 2 bowls of Popcorn and a beer with this movie.

Who knows you may want to hug your postal carrier after this movie.

A Far better movie then it's critics make it out to be. "The Postman" is a good solid film about the end of the world and the chaos and confusion that follows with the unwitting soul that destiny choose to bring those who survived the apocalypse back to a better life and promising future.

Corny yes but in a positive and constructive sort of way. With the cast of Kevin Costner on down giving the film the sort of believability that you just don't see in most of the "End of he World" movies that have been projected on the silver screen since "Things to Come" back in 1936.

"The Postman" unlike most "End of the world" movies carries through the entire movie, which is almost three hours long, a positive and uplifting theme that you rarely get to see in these type of films. The ending of the film, call it corny it you will, was really moving without being obnoxious like it could have been had it been made by a lesser talent then Kevin Costner.

This film is most popular among women under the age of 18. I can't really fathom why that would be, but maybe there's a whole other aspect of this that I missed.

In 2013, the United States has been destroyed for about 15 years, and only the very basic technology is available. Something like the Civil War, but with machine guns. After escaping an army and pretending to be a postman, Kevin Costner sets out to rebuild America.

The only bad thing I can say about this film is that some of the actors were really poor. Two or three of the minor roles had very hammy actors that ruined the scenes, but overall the acting was quite well done.

The plot is wonderful. Certain plot holes exist if you pay attention (I noticed for example that everyone knows the president is in Minneapolis, although the only time Costner said this was in private to the enemy) but the overall premise of rebuilding through the use of communication is somewhat realistic and a very intriguing idea if nothing else.

The woman playing Abby was great, maybe even greater than she was in "Rushmore" (though that film reigns supreme). The kid playing Ford Lincoln Mercury was a bit over the top, but it seemed to fit his character well. And Will Patton? A dazzling display of pure evil. As he himself says, great men make great men -- his evilness only serves to make Costner a greater hero.

The music was very odd ("Come and Get Your Love"?) and needed more Tom Petty. Petty himself needed a bigger role, and did great with the part that was given to him.

Some people will complain the film is too long (178 minutes). While I agree the film seemed long at first, once I became engrossed in the film, I would have been willing to watch another two hours of this world. You really don't want to say goodbye to Abby, the Postman or even to General Bethlehem. They are powerful and charismatic characters.

Could this film be even better than "Waterworld"? I am undecided, but it is certainly in the running as the best Kevin Costner film ever made.

I own this movie on DVD, I've seen this movie a number of times, and it is overall better than 80% of the commercial movies being released these days.

Those of you familiar with statistics and "normal" distributions, look at the "user ratings" for this movie. The "1" ratings are bogus. Look at the shape of the distribution, and you'll see that the valid rating for this movie is somewhere between 7 and 8, which are the most "common" ratings, which makes perfect sense. A 7.5 on a 10 point scale is where most people would rate it.

It has such an uplifting story of a reconstruction after a war, and banning together to fight evil, that I don't see how anyone with a heart could give it less than about 6 or 7. See it if you haven't already!

PS - My old college friend Dan von Bargen is in this as Sheriff Briscoe of Pineview, who near the end shouts "Ride Postman, ride!" Unfortunately Dan died in 2015.

The Postman got a lot of harsh and bad reviews and for that reason I didn't watch it at the cinema. After a couple of years I got it on DVD and was surprised - yes, The Postman is no masterpiece, but still a very entertaining one, if you like the post-apocalyptic genre.

All in all The Postman got some lengths here and there (no wonder, running time is 177 minutes) and the end (fight) is a little bit disappointing, but all in all, The Postman is a good watch with good production, acting and some good action.

My advice - if you like the genre and didn't already watch The Postman, just take your chances and give it a try.

"Bum rap" is right-- while this movie does indeed have its flaws (duh-- most do)-- it was considerably better than the Hollywood establishment allowed. In fact, it was unseemly the way those folks sought the movie out for criticism. They chased it, practically, for derision! I became a fan accidentally, innocently. I had a few friends who worked as extras in the filming, and it was filmed on location, mostly, in my home town area in Eastern Washington. Thus, I schlepped my bod over to the theater on Christmas day to see it. I was away at school, and lonesome. I felt cut-off from friends and family-- blah blah blah. Thus I sat in the dark searching the screen for my friends, feeling a bit of "old home" vibe returning as a I saw scene after scene take place in recognized locales. This is what the movie was about-- the re-connecting that takes place after a time of separation. The theme of the movie was about finding the courage it takes to crawl out of our shells, to deny the relative safety of living withdrawn and contracted. It was all about community, and the personal risks and steps necessary to reconnect and reestablish our communities. It was about the virtual death that living without community is, and the inexorable force of human nature and life itself that propels us to-- eventually-- do whatever it takes to reach back out again and find our interpersonal and social relationships. Well, my little episode of homesickness, and the reaffirming activity I was engaged in while trying to find old friends in old familiar places on screen drew me instantly into what I believe was the underlying purpose of the book, and the movie. I was stunned, awe struck, gratified, and immensely happy and comforted by the movie. Only later I was shocked to discover how much the media folks hated it, and how indifferent the movie going public seemed to be to it. A year+ later I saw the movie again, and some of the emotional impact for me had faded. I could see that the evil general and the Holnist Army thing was a bit overdrawn-- but the essential sweetness and power of the core message was intact. As humans, when we live cut off from our fellow folks, we're as good as dead; it is only through exercising and feeding our relationships that we can be human, happy, and alive. If I had a time machine, I'd go back and get Kevin Costner to cut the "army of 8" stuff WAY back. I'd also get him to NOT direct the thing-- focus on the townspeople and their "coming out" relationships and experiences a touch more. And I'd make sure he cut the length down to 135 mins or so. I'd also stick in a reference or three to the "postman" theme-- have some person or other comment on the corny nature, perhaps, of having a postman save the word-- making a knowing joke about it within the story might then have the effect of inoculating the audience against their own cynicism. To paraphrase David Denby of "The New Yorker," it seems as if Hollywood is punishing Costner for making them feel things they didn't want to feel. Over all, I gave it a 9.

Cavin Costner is one of my favourite actors. Situation make man a hero. And heroes lead the nation. The journey to build an united nation is not easy. And the post man finally did it. Like this movie much.

Kevin Costner rides into a post-apocalyptic wasteland with a mailbag and a dream in The Postman, a film thats somehow three hours long and still forgets to bring stamps. Playing a drifter who stumbles into impersonating a postal worker (because of course thats the job you fake in a dystopia), Costner accidentally kickstarts a rebellion against warlord General Bethlehem (Will Patton, chewing scenery like its his last meal). Think Mad Max if Max traded his Interceptor for a sack of tax forms and a US Constitution fanfic.

The story meanders like a lost Amazon package. Costners grifter-turned-messiah accidentally inspires hope by... delivering old birthday cards and utility bills. The scripts logic? "If you build it, they will come... if "it" is a postal service and "they" are desperate for symbolism." The pacing? Like a snail on Ambien. Theres a 30-minute winter sequence that's basically Costner cosplaying The Revenant but with more monologues about democracy.

Costner plays Costner™, stoic whispery and dressed like a J. Crew catalog survivor. But Will Pattons villain? Is pretty hammy hes having so much fun twirling his metaphorical mustache you half expect him to cackle. Meanwhile Tom Petty shows up as... Tom Petty, because why not? (RIP to a legend who somehow out-acts everyone while being 90% stoner vibes.)

The cinematography is as washed out as the world it portrays and the editing needed a chainsaw. Scenes drag like a Teams meeting that could have been an email. The action? TV show quality complete with explosions that look like someone set off fireworks in a dirt pile.

Imagine Dances With Wolves and Waterworld had a baby, then dressed it in a Postal Service uniform. Its swinging between "America, hell yeah!" speeches and camp so thick you could roast marshmallows over it. The ending? A cheese platter of 90s schmaltz with a voiceover thats basically Costner whispering "And thats why you tip your mail carrier."

Shoutout to the scene where a kid asks "Whats a postman?" and Costner replies like hes explaining quantum physics. Also almost the entire third act feel like people just reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at each other.

I cant give it more then a 5 because The Postman is bloated 3 hours is just too long. Worth a watch with break or a fast forward button.

It's a depressing fact that the moviegoing public is being brainwashed by critics to hate everything involving Kevin Costner. When released in 1997 this breathtaking, thought-provoking epic was largely ignored and limped to a box office gross of $14 million, thanks to some vicious reviews.

Lest we forget, Costner made the magnificent Dances With Wolves, but that was in the days when we were told it was okay to like him. His directorial follow up is every bit as good. He knows about directing. He coaxes great performances from his casts. He has real vision and takes chances. Like Michael Cimino, his efforts are belittled and mocked while directors with clearly less talent are applauded.

So to all those people who stayed away in droves and screw their faces up at the mention of this film, I say watch it before you criticise it. Don't rely on some magazine writer to tell you who's good and who's not. Your brain is there for a reason.

I am a huge fan of post-apocalyptic films, and I've seen many corny underground productions, but until now I've somehow managed to miss out on this little(long) gem.

The movie is really cozy and uplifting, something that i have yet to see in a movie in this genre. However, you have to see beyond the stars and bars of the flag the Postman fights for, and think about what it might mean in a world filled with chaos and despair, otherwise it might feel a bit tacky.

The idea that the young people of the destroyed earth longs for something bigger and "decent" is terrific. I could see myself as a post-carrier in the sinister future that might be waiting for us.

There is no people in ice-hockey armour, no bad-ass cars and no mohawk hair, but i didn't even miss it once during the whole movie (almost 3 hours). Instead Costner has created a sort of wild west world that is fresh and interesting to watch.

So if you like PA movies, don't miss this one!

Ps. This film reminded me very much of a brilliant post-apocalyptic book that everyone who loves this genre MUST read : Lucifers Hammer.

I truly do NOT understand why The Postman was attacked as viscously as it was by the film media (there films much more worthy of the Golden Raspberry Awards in 1997). I loved this film and was very impressed with the loving amount of dedication that it demonstrates on the part of the actors, writers and director. This was a GOOD movie: it had a strong and intelligent story; excellent and interesting characters; and real feel for the post-Apocalypse genre. I felt that Kevin Costner's everyman act worked beautifully in this film and created a sense of reality for the character and of his situation.

As far as the sci-fi novel by David Brin, this film exceeded it in every way possible. Where Brin had to rely on cheezy sci-fi standards (like supersoldiers) to resolve his story, this film does using only two men, both frauds, and both with radically different understandings of what constitutes a proper society. That is what made this film great (and I rarely use the term great), that this film was essentially an examination of America and what America means. It was a parable of sorts about the types of men Americans are and what they are capable of (notice that the head bad-guy had a traditional, classical education, while Costner did not; he appreciated these things but they were not at the center of his belief system... I wonder why).

While I do not agree with every aspect of this film (I am a Medievalist and a Platonist, so I don't necessarily feel the same way about the Western Canon that the film-maker may have), I still find it to be a beautiful reflection on the psyche of the American everyman. America has a tradition of rejecting the absolutist ideals of the past in favor of the pragmatic relativism of today, and I think that this film is a parable of the divorce of America from the traditions of Europe.

Overall, this is a complex and entertaining film and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in examinations of American culture and tradition, perhaps as a double feature with Citizen Cane (I am not, however, claiming that the Postman was as good a film as Citizen Cane, only that they have a similar theme... what does it mean to be an American?).

I would watch this movie again over Die Hard 2 or Die Hard 3. I don't get why this movie is so low in ratings n the Die hards are so high. This movie has alot of emotion with action. At some points it reminds u of I Am Legend.

First of all...I liked it...I really did! It is a film by Kevin Costner, starring Kevin Costner, surrounds Kevin Costner's character, and a movie that is simply...Kevin Costner. But if you liked Kevin Costner in such films as "Dances With Wolves", "Robin Hood", "The Bodyguard", and even slightly in "Waterworld", then you will like this film. I know it is three hours long (I got refills on both the popcorn and super-size soda and still ran out), but I didn't find it as unbearable as those less-than-perfect-movie-critics have claimed. I found the time to go by quite like you would expect three hours to go by and didn't find myself being bored or dozing off. Yes, the story line was a bit predictable and Kevin played the reluctant hero that he is known for...but I liked it. Bottom line...if you want to do something nice for your postman, tell them you are going to go see the film in their honor...because like their motto says...not rain, nor shine, nor sleet, nor nothing...not even the lack of being a country will stop the mail from getting through.

This movie was panned by critics and largely shunned by audiences as well, a fact I always found confusing because to me it has always been inspirational and uplifting.

The movie takes place in an unspecified year, although if you use clues in the movie you can infer a date of somewhere around 2015 or so. Set in an alternate future where the United States has fallen after an un-specified war/disaster, the population of the country has reverted to an agrarian, old-west inspired collection of city- states.

The unnamed 'Postman' (Costner) is a drifter who scavenges what he can and performs Shakespeare for food and shelter when he passes thru a friendly town. After discovering a crashed US Postal Service truck, the Postman dons the deceased driver's uniform and hatches a scheme to get free food and lodging from walled-off towns by concocting a story about a restored US government that is re- starting postal service.

What he underestimates is the power and inspiration the simple idea has to the populations of these towns that live in isolation from one-another and in fear of a wandering conscript army led by a brutal warlord that grows by parasitically feeding off their resources. Without his knowledge, his deception inspires an actual re-birth of postal service, with deliveries performed by an inspired younger generation of voluntary carriers that revere the larger- than-life image of him passed along in stories from town to town.

What's fascinating to me about this film is how it highlights the power of something we largely take for granted in this day and age: communication. Not too long ago the majority of humanity lived and died within the place they were born. Information from outside their town or village was brief and sporadic, typically limited to what information you might glean from traveling merchants and the like. Technology and infrastructure upended that, and fortunes were made feeding our intense human interest in communicating and learning about the world around us.

In our modern world, even those who live and die within a few square miles typically receive news from across the world with casual ease; radio, television, phones, newspapers, etc. And even those on the lowest rungs of the socio-economic ladder can afford to place a telephone call or write a letter or email to family thousands of miles away. It's easy to forget that for the vast majority of human history the ability to communicate with people more than one hundred miles or so from where you lived took weeks or even months, if it was even possible at all. Before the telegraph, the pony express was vital because it reduced communication over a few thousand miles to 10 days.

Against a backdrop of dangerous wilderness and a violent militia, people who would brave these risks to bring communication back to the world is inspiring, and that is what I always think of when I watch this movie. To me, it's a caution not to take the wonders of the modern world for granted and a reminder of the power of communication to enrich our lives. And, I suppose, a story about how one person at the right time and place can inspire change that affects thousands or even millions of others.

I've heard critics say that the movie plays as cheesy or maybe that it plays to Costner's ego or something. Good and evil are clearly differentiated here; the film doesn't challenge you with complex ethical questions and definitely plays as an epic hero story, but that didn't bother me. I guess it comes down to whether you think the story is over-idealized to the point where it becomes simple minded and child like; to me it does not.

This is Costner's second attempt at the 'man who will save us role' and like the first one (Waterworld) I liked it.

The Postman received a lot of criticism (as did WW) again for being a little self indulgent. Its the third film (WW and Wolves) that shows Costner has no idea how to edit. If he shoots it, its in the movie!

That issue aside, the Postman sets up a great 'world' with some nice characters as it explores the denigration of humanity. Another plus is the dealing with a post apocalyptic world without replicating anything Mad Maxish, the same challenge for movies delving in archaeology and Indiana Jones. Its hard not to be accused of being a clone and the Postman does that pretty well :)

Nothing to add to the other reviews, other than it holds up well after 20 years, and may even be a better movie for our times than the one it was made. Is it long? Sure. So pause it every 45 minutes and pretend it's a series. It's worth your time, especially if your pandemic watch list is running short.

I have always heard that The Postman is a stinker but after 11 years I had the opportunity to see the movie for myself. I had my doubts of being able to sit through a 2h 50 min movie but the plot managed to keep my attention the whole way through. This is a post apocalyptic story but I could very easily see this as a 1950s western - set in the Wild West in 1873 with Gary Cooper playing a lone postman, Dan Duryea the leader of a gang of thugs wrecking havoc on a small town without a sheriff and perhaps Ann Blyth as the young widow who reluctantly falls for our hero.

Perhaps the patriotic themes that the film associated with the post service was a bit over the top, it looked like the movie was trying to do with the mail man profession what Backdraft did for firefighting. I'm not saying this is a very good movie and I certainly found Dances with Wolves much better but I think it's worth the time to see it.

I cannot believe what I am reading. This has to easily be the worst film I have ever seen and everybody seems to be in love with it. It's three hours of non-stop tedium, the acting is dreadful (Costner is the worst), the script is so lame and predictable it beggers belief. Costner is also so in love with himself in this film that he might as well have written a 3 hour love letter to himself. I cannot think of even one redeeming feature about this film. In fact I can't even be bothered to discuss it any further. It is awful, that's all you need to know about it.

I know a lot of people hated this movie. I know why. It is a little saccharine in places and yes, it is not always believeable. But this is one of the few time a screenplay is better than the book it was based on. This film always fills me with such positive energy and hope. it is funny in places, sad in places, tragic and action-packed in places. Costner plays Eric with such a fresh attitude, and you can almost hear the voices in the characters head pulling his loyalties. The cast is perfect and in many places the cinamatography is sublime. The cross cuts are so clever it made my eyes ache with envy that i didnt think of them and the action sequences are fast and timed to perfection. this remains one of my favourite films and in all honesty people should give it a little more respect. no matter what you think of the script and characterisation technicly this film is top draw. Sets, locations, effects and design grab you by the hand and take you someplace you actually want to go. i would much rather make and see films like this than dross like 'chaicago' and 'moulin rouge'. this is a film for grownups with a bit of imagination and respect for the film makers art.

"The Postman" is a post-apocalyptic film directed by and starring Kevin Costner. Set in a future America devastated by war and chaos, the movie follows a drifter who discovers a postman's uniform and begins to impersonate one, inadvertently sparking hope and resistance in the survivors.

The story unfolds in a bleak and desolate landscape where society has collapsed, and ruthless warlords rule over small enclaves of survivors. Kevin Costner's character, known only as the Postman, initially assumes the role of a postal carrier as a means of survival, using the uniform and mailbag as a disguise to obtain food and shelter.

However, his actions take on greater significance when he encounters a community led by Abby, played by Olivia Williams, who desperately clings to the hope of restoring communication and order. Inspired by the Postman's presence, Abby persuades him to deliver mail to other nearby towns, spreading the idea of a restored United States and igniting a spirit of rebellion against the oppressive regime.

As the Postman's legend grows, he becomes a symbol of hope and resistance to those living under tyranny. He also attracts the attention of General Bethlehem, portrayed by Will Patton, a ruthless warlord determined to maintain his grip on power.

The film explores themes of redemption, the power of myth, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Through the Postman's journey, we see how small acts of kindness and courage can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to believe in a better future.

Visually, "The Postman" is stunning, with sweeping landscapes and detailed set design that effectively convey the devastation of the world and the harshness of survival. The action sequences are well-executed, and the film's pacing keeps the audience engaged throughout.

While "The Postman" received mixed reviews upon its release and was a commercial disappointment, it has since gained a cult following for its ambitious storytelling and themes of hope and redemption. Kevin Costner delivers a solid performance in the lead role, and the supporting cast, including Will Patton and Olivia Williams, adds depth to the story.

Overall, "The Postman" is a thought-provoking and visually impressive film that offers a compelling vision of a post-apocalyptic world and the enduring power of hope.

I'm sorry folks, but this movie is bound to be 3 hours wasted if you're planning to see it. The storyline is horrid; the movie is very, very long (I had to take breaks!) and the acting is at best mediocre.

The story has Kevin Costner as the heroic postman, saving the day when restoring the postal system. I'm sure postal workers like it though, as it gives their job a very flattering impression of being important. But if you're not a postal worker - stay away!

Frankly I'm tempted to purchase a copy and destroy, only to feel better about it.

Burn, burn, burn!