Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1607 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-01-07
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: Italian, Spanish
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 105 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
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, Amazon.com

Special Features
1.66 Wide Screen
DVD 9
English
Italian
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 Italian
Dolby Digital 5.1
International Trailer
Audio Commentary
TV Special Poetry Passion The Postman The Return Of Pablo Neruda Featurette
Soundtrack Featurette
English

Synopsis
A young postman's world is brightened as he begins delivering letters to poet Pablo Neruda, exiled on an island off the coast of Italy. At first hoping friendship with the poet will improve his reputation with a local barmaid, he ultimately develops a genuine, touching relationship with the laureate. This was the late Massimo Troisi's final film appearance. Academy Award Nominations: 5, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor--Massimo Troisi. Academy Awards: Best Original Dramatic Score.

Customer Reviews

"Your smile spreads like a butterfly"
"Il Postino" is a lovely, tender story about Mario, a poor Italian fisherman who becomes a postman. His job is to deliver mail to the famous (and real) poet, Pablo Neruda, who has been exiled to this island from Chile, because of his Communist beliefs. The kindly poet opens a new world of words for the postman; they become friends, and with Neruda's help, Mario wins the most prettiest girl in the village. Life is beautiful, until a letter arrives saying Neruda may return to Chile, forever.

"Il Postino" is usually described as a romantic comedy, but I would call it a poignant drama, focusing on the changes in Mario's life after he meets and befriends the poet. The film is dedicated to Massimo Troisi who plays Mario. Making this movie was his dream, even though he was ill, and, in fact, he died only hours after filming was completed. He gives a wonderful performance as the sensitive young man who grows to appreciate the beauty around him and the power of words. The ending is quite surprising and touching. The movie is in Italian with English subtitles.

Kona

Profoundly uplifting, mesmerising.
With films being churned out at a ghastly rate in our nihilistic age, with millions and millions being spent on special effect scenes which may not even last a minute, it is a joy to watch a film like 'Il Postino', No guns, no violence, no swearing, no sex or nudity, no malice or vanity or egoism, just a beautiful story told simply and innocently. This film is a joy, a precious stone in a film industry which often resembles a dark mine. Superb acting, music so beautiful your ears will cry with joy, a tender story of love and friendship, a hysterically funny aunt, and all based on the sublime poetry of Senor Pablo Neruda, may his divine soul rest in peace. How can anyone fault a film which makes your heart ache with perfectly compatible joy and sadness?

Glorious!
Simply a wonderful film. Beautifully filmed and acted, with scarcely a line out of place, the fact that Troisi died as this masterpiece was finished adds to an already poignant story. Funny, charming and heart-breaking when it should be in turns. The scene when our postman is "struck by the thunderbolt" of love when he first sets eyes on the beautiful Beatrice playing table football somehow manages to be one of the sexiest scenes in a film I know. This and the breathtaking scenery are two of a myriad of reasons to watch this film and feel better about life.