The Missing Postman [1997]

Clive Peacock is a quiet little man who has been a postman for thirty five years when new technology forces him into early retirement.
Unable to face the idea of a life of metal detecting or carving decoy ducks like some of his other retired aquaintances he finds himself stealing his last mail collection and cycling all over Britain to deliver it personally.
The missing postman becomes a matter of interest in the media and Clive finds himself chased everywhere by a posse of reporters, most of whom completely miss the point, thinking that Clive is making a protest for workers rights, wheras in reality he's just delivering the mail because that's what he likes doing.

Sounds pretty lame, but it isn't. It's brilliant. Right at the top of the tree. Combines the right mix of comedy, drama, melancholy and social commentary without excessive sentimentality and without preaching. Exquisite.


A Joy to Watch   June 18, 2001
 8 out of 10 found this review helpful

Being a postman myself I really appreciated this film, as the post mail centre where I work was mentioned. But it was so real to life and I was engrossed all the time that I watched it, and I have now watched it several times over. Great actor James, I think he would make a typical postman.


An endearing and amusing film - an odessy of a little man   May 1, 2001
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

When James Bolan and Alison Steadman are in the cast I always expect a good programme - I was not disappointed here. This story about a postman's reaction to the cancellation of his cycle delivery route travels the length of Britain. I first saw this when I was living in the Netherlands - where programmes showing the British countryside were always welcome. But the real delight in the programme is the charming, funny, poingnant story which follows the surprising development of a small group of people as a result of one redundancy. I don't believe you can watch it without a smile on your face and a lump in your throat.