Comments on: The German Postman Always Rings Twice

By: mikki

mikki — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 02:21:37 +0000

I liked reading your description of Jerichow.I saw the first part of this film while volunteering as an usher at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. I was obliged to remain in the theatre and did not know anything about the film that was to be shown. I enjoyed what I saw and thought at the time that it was a Postman story. Unfortunately, my shift ended part way through the movie and I thought to myself, “where am I ever going to see this movie again?” You have now filled in the blanks.

By: R. Emmet Sweeney

R. Emmet Sweeney — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:25:47 +0000

An important question. We were drinking bathtub moonshine.

By: Mojo

Mojo — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:11:05 +0000

The Rock and Benno Furmann look alike? What were you and your wife drinking that night? Maybe you meant they look like they go to the same hair stylists?

By: R. Emmet Sweeney

R. Emmet Sweeney — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:10:42 +0000

Jenni – yes, the movie is set in Germany, in the town of Jerichow, which is in the northeast of the country. I don’t know the production details, but I would guess the beach scenes were shot by the Baltic, which borders Germany to the northeast (Germany also borders the North Sea to the northwest).

And while I enjoyed the 1946 version, I’m not convinced it deserves its canonic status. Aside from Lana Turner’s magnetic performance (and Garnett’s clever intro shot for her, the dropped lipstick rolling towards Garfield), it never coheres stylistically for me. I also think it loses steam in the complex plot maneuverings of the second half, which dissipate the crackling eroticism of the opening.

And maybe you need to see the movie to see the similarity! Or it’s possible I’ve gone mad. Very possible.

By: Jenni

Jenni — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:24:15 +0000

Geographically, is the movie set in Germany? I didn’t think they were too close to a large body of water that included beaches, but I am probably wrong. Does Northern Germany edge onto the North Sea or the Baltic??

I have always liked the 1946 version for its atmosphere, which shows so well with the close shots and the bw photography. The guilt is palpable between the 2 main characters; Garfield and Turner acted exceedingly well in this movie.

I don’t think the German actor and “The Rock” don’t look too much alike, sorry!