Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7548 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-06-01
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.37:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Black & White, PAL
• Original language: English, Spanish, German
• Subtitled in: Danish, Slovene, English, Greek, Dutch, German, Arabic, Croatian, Czech, French, Icelandic, Romanian, Portuguese, Hungarian, Spanish, Polish, Swedish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 108 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Even under the heavy censorship of 1946 Hollywood, Lana Turner and John Garfield's libidinous desires burn up the screen in Tay Garnett's adaptation of James M. Cain's torrid crime melodrama. Platinum blond Turner is Cora, a restless sexpot stuck in a roadside diner married to mundane middle-aged fry cook Nick Smith (Cecil Kellaway) when handsome drifter Frank (Garfield) blows her way. It's lust at first sight, a rapacious desire that neither can break off, and before long they're plotting his demise--but in the wicked world of Cain nothing is that easy. Garnett's visual approach is subdued compared to the more expressionistic film noir of the period, but he's at no loss when he films the luminous Turner in her milky-white wardrobe. She radiates repressed sexuality and uncontrollable passion while Garfield's smart-talking loner Frank mixes street-smart swagger and scrappy toughness with vulnerability and sincere intensity. Co-star Hume Cronyn cuts a cold, calculating figure as their conniving lawyer, a chilly character that only increases our feelings for the murderous couple, victims of an all-consuming amour fou that drives their passions to extremes. --Sean Axmaker, Amazon.com

Synopsis
Set during the Depression, this story concerns an older man and his attractive young wife, who take on drifter Frank Chambers as an employee at their roadside cafe. Cora, the unhappy wife (Lana Turner), is searching for a way out of her drab day-to-day existence. Soon she and Frank develop lustful feelings for each other, and their passions grow until they plan a new life together--a new life that begins with her husband's murder.

Customer Reviews

Compelling Dark Drama
I rate this movie as a career high for both of the main players; Lana Turner and John Garfield.

At the beginning of the movie , Lana Turner's Cora is like an accident waiting to happen, or a bomb without a fuse. She ouzes frustration in her marriage of convenience to a dull, older man. She is fit and sexy. Surely it is only a matter of time before........ Enter John Garfield's drifter character. He too exudes a strong yet vulnerable blue collar sexuality. They look at each other like hungry cats look when they hear the tin opener. The rest of the movie is inevitable.

The sex scenes in the 1980s remake are embarassingly explicit. Here the metaphor and implication is part of the art, and the film is all the better for it. What is left to your imagination is so much more erotic than anything on the screen could be.

As their relationship develops, and their evil plans hatch, a lot of me feels sorry for them and hopes that they get away with it. They are driven by, and are slaves to their passion for each other. That was never going to happen in 1946 Hollywood. The clue is in the title. They end up paying for their sins.

I envy their passion, but not it's consequences. This is a fine film noir.

Extras on the disc include a lengthy and very interesting profile of John Garfield. I learned a lot from it, and have become more of a fan. He was certainly on a roll in 1946. As well as being loaned out to MGM for this one, at his home studio Warner Bros, he made 'Humoresque' with Joan Crawford. It may may not be as well remembered as '...Postman..', but was one of the biggest grossing movies of the year.

The Best and Greatest Movie of Lana Turner
This is one of the classic movies of Lana Turner that no one should miss. Lana Turner herself admitted that this is her career best, and she enjoyed doing this film. Director Tay Garnett fully exploited the youth and beauty of Lana Turner in presenting her to the viewers as young Cora Smith married to a middle aged cook stuck in a roadside diner. The movie revolves around young Cora who refuses to cheat on her husband; slowly but steadily she falls under the seductive influence of a young drifter, and very soon she will be plotting the murder of her husband with her lover. Part of the movie was set near beaches in Malibu, Santa Monica and other parts of Southern California. It is really enjoyable to see the unspoiled beauty of Southern California beaches of mid 1940s. If you are remotely interested in Lana Turner's movies and career; this is the first movie you should be watching.

Languages and subtitles
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
directed by Tay Garnett
(zone 2)

Languages: ENGLISH - FRENCH - GERMAN - SPANISH

Subtitles: ENGLISH - FRENCH - GERMAN - SPANISH - PORTUGUESE - DUTCH -
DANISH - ICELANDIC - CROATIAN - SLOVENIAN - HUNGARIAN - SWEDISH -
CZECH - GREEK - POLISH - ROMANIAN - ARABIC