Rating: 
Summary: Well, it has its moments.
Review: I must say, after viewing this film I find that my appreciation of Hitchcock has increased tremendously. No, his films are never quite as great as they're made out to be, and even the best of them suffer from moments of unintentional hilarity. However, if this is the sort of thing they were up against, it's not hard to see how they've achieved their reputation.I can't say that The Postman Always Rings Twice is totally without merit, but these moments of real tension are very far and few between, and given the aimless, shambling pace of the film, they tend to be swallowed up by the rest of it. The thoroughly average actors go through the motions with relative competence, but they don't have much to do. The relationship between the two illicit lovers was obviously meant to be torrid/feverish/mad, but the truth is, it's barely there. And I don't think that this can entirely be blamed on the film code, either. Regardless of the wherefores, however, without any evidence whatsoever--no matter how veiled--of any sort of sexual tension between them, the wheels come off the whole affair. Furthermore, the act of the murder itself isn't given any cinematic gravity, and the faintly silly legal procedings that follow from it don't do favors to anyone. The ending, it's true, works well enough, although the banana peel death on which it hinges takes away even from that. hint to filmmakers: if you're trying to invoke a sense of cosmic justice, you can't use random, predicated-on-nothing plot twists. In paying homage to the noir genre, The Man Who Wasn't There pulled it off infinitely more adroitly than is done here. And we certainly could have lived without the helpful explanation of this mechanism--and the film's title--at the end. Okay, guys, we get the picture. It ain't all that deep. Who knows, maybe I'm wrong about this film and everyone else is right: it really IS a cinematic masterpiece. I very much doubt it, though. People are oft blinded by reputation, and much as I hate to psychologize complete strangers, I think that's what's happening here. The Postman Always Rings Twice is not a good movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Depression Boy Meets Blonde Bombshell
Review: If one had to sum up director Tay Garnett's greatest screen triumph, "The Postman Always Rings Twice," in one scene, the logical choice would be the sizzling moment wherein Lana Turner drops her lipstick. The camera's upsweep begins with the floor where the lipstick had fallen, moving up to her trim legs, then to a flawlessly beautiful lady in white. Depression loner John Garfield takes one look at her and gulps. The expression says it all. Garfield is as hooked as Fred MacMurray in his first meeting with Barbara Stanwyck in "Double Indemnity" with the same result -- ultimate destruction. After looking at Cecil Kellaway's young wife Garfield agrees to a job at the diner the genial older man runs. Before long Turner and Garfield are sexually involved. Not long after that Turner is proposing that they get rid of Kellaway. What distinguishes this 1946 gem from more recent films is the way that the sex remains under the surface, with more suggesting than outright showing, which achieves powerful dramatic results. Kellaway enjoys casual after dinner sessions where he plays his guitar and sings. When he suggests that Garfield and Turner dance they stare at each other, half in irony, half in guilt. Due to Turner's prodding, Garfield eventually agrees to kill a man who has been thoroughly supportive and very kind to him, treating him like a son. James M. Cain's powerful novella retains its suspenseful pacing and savage bite on screen. The title is perfection. "The Postman Always Rings Twice" refers to the tradition of, when knocking on the door to deliver mail, a postman would ring a second time if receiving no answer initially. Garfield is convicted by aggressive district attorney Leon Ames the second time, over Turner's accidental death in a car accident, rather than for his involvement in Kellaway's death. He ultimately accepts his fate, asking the priest who has visited his death row cell just before his execution to send a prayer heavenward for himself and the woman he loved.
Rating:
Summary: DVD Quality Very Good
Review: If you are worrying about the quality of the transfer to DVD, worry about something else. It looks terrific! The studio used excellent source material. Very few, if any, film scratches. Contrasts good. Audio very good. In short, the studio has done this classic film its just dues in this release. Supplemental material is also interesting. Sometimes we buy DVD's and fine the quality is not as good as our VHS versions. In the case of this release, I think you will be very satisfied. Although it probably could not be called a "digital restoration" (although some studios claim to do this routinely), the transfer has obviously been handled carefully from very good source material. I've not commented on the movie itself, but it goes without saying that this classic is a must-have for film-noir fans.
Rating: 
Summary: This film did it right
Review: In this movie FRank is far younger than Nick (unlike the '81 Jack NIcholson version) partially right away explaining Cora's attraction to Frank. Also, this version left out the sex and actually gave these characters more depth and character to their characters for falling in love with each other. The '81 Frank and Cora are just ruthless sex machines to each other.
Rating:
Summary: I wouldn't say
Review: it's the BEST movie about lust, but it should be in the enclclopedia next to "noir." Postman, to be honest, pales next to "Ossessione," the Italian film (1942) that inspired it, but only when compared scene-for-scene. Alone, it stands very well on its own, and the sexual tension between Garfield and Turner , even though they do no more than kiss, is smoldering. Whatta cast, whatta film, whatta fool you are if you don't buy or at least rent it!!
Rating:
Summary: I wouldn't say
Review: it's the BEST movie about lust, but it should be in the enclclopedia next to "noir." Whatta cast, whatta film, whatta fool you are if you don't buy or at least rent it!!
Rating:
Summary: I wouldn't say
Review: it's the BEST movie about lust, but it should be in the enclclopedia next to "noir." Whatta cast, whatta film, whatta fool you are if you don't buy or at least rent it!!
Rating:
Summary: Super Sizzle
Review: John Garfield and Lana Turner truly sizzle in this super-tough, ultra-dark film noir of a faithless wife who coaxes a lover into a murderous plot against her likable husband. Garfield offers a typically expert performance, while Turner--who is not usually noted for her dramatic talents--literally explodes in the sex-bomb role of the sultry but cold-hearted Cora. One of Hollywood's finest (if often overlooked) films of the 1940s, adapted in full-force from the James M. Cain novel. Hot!
Rating:
Summary: Creative Classic Film Noir
Review: Lana Turner stars as the sultry wife of a dopey old restaurant owner. This film is about what happens when a younger man stops at their small highway-side restaurant and falls in love with the wife...
A classic film noir!
Appropriate for ages 10 and up. Sexual allusions and violent allusions, but no actual sex or violence as the movie is from the 1946.
Rating:
Summary: John Garfield & Lana Turner set the screen on fire!
Review: Other reviewers have gone over the plot, so I won't waste time. I think this masterpiece ties with Double Indemnity as the greatest film noir ever made. Both Lana Turner & John Garfield were at the peak of their careers & they are flawless in this classic. Why they didn't win oscars for their brilliant performances is a mystery to me. Another thing that makes this movie so memorable is the beautiful music which adds a lot to the drama. The dvd has an awesome picture quality & some great bonus features: a photo gallery, the original trailer, & an outstanding documentary on John Garfield's life. As far as I know it's the only documentary ever made on John Garfield, & it's very entertaining & informative. Watching this timeless classic made me a huge fan of both Lana (who never looked more beautiful) & Garfield (who unfortunately only made 31 films before his untimely death at the age of 39. For those who want to know more about these two legendary stars, I recommend Body & Soul: the Story of John Garfield, & Lana: the Lady, the Legend, the Truth.
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