Terry Pratchett's Going Postal (TV)
Let me start off with saying that I've only read one book by Terry Pratchett. It was "The Wee Free Men", and I enjoyed it. I wanted more.
I'm not a big reader, but I love audio books. My iTunes is filled with Discworld books. I can't get enough!
The Discworld is such an interesting and charming place. Pratchett's sense of humour and storytelling really speaks to me. Especially when it's narrated by such great men as Stephen Briggs. My favourite book is "Going postal" and I was really surprised when I heard that they would make a movie of it.
The story of "Going Postal" is nothing spectacular nor does it cry for a big (or TV-sized) screen adaption. It's a tale of one mans redemption and how a lie can get around the world before the truth can get its boots on. It's about how the con artist Moist von Lipwig gets a second chance. The Patrician of Ankh-Morpork gives him an offer he literally can't refuse. Accept the job as Postmaster and rebuild the postal service or choose death. Moist is man of opportunities, so he starts the task of doing what seems impossible. Rebuilding the postal service so that it can survive in the modern era. The postal service is in great competition with the new form of fast speed messaging, known as Clacks. The Clacks is a network of semaphore towers and can delivery a message much faster than a postman on the ground. Reacher Gilt is the main villain of the story. He acquired the Clacks by using devious methods and he does not want the post office to re-open. In the adaption he is played my David Suchet. It is so refreshing to see him out of the Hercule Poirot role and in a role that is pure evil and greedy. What an actor!
Richard Coyle portrays Moist von Lipwig, he is perfect for the role. Both Colye's and Suchet's portrayal is identical to the ones Stephen Briggs narrated to me.
Overall the casting is great and the adaption stays true to the book.
The Mob with Sky1 has adapted two other Pratchett books. "The Color of Magic" and "The Hogfather", both are really fine movies. So my questions was, can they really fit "Going Postal"'s charm on screen? The result is a 3 hour, two part TV movie that is fun, exciting and intelligent from start to finish. Best adaption they have done! I'm stunned with how much they managed to fit in. As it is with all adaptions they leave something out and change some stuff, but that's how it is. Nothing worth ranting about! Let's just enjoy all the things they did right!
Terry Pratchett is protective of his work. All three adaptions are handled with respect and care. The Mob really knows what they are doing now. Hopefully they will continue the story of Moist in the sequel "Making Money". Whatever The Mob chooses to adapt next I will not doubt them, its all in good hands.
Does anyone here have any opinions or views on this adaption; or Terry Pratchett in general?
I will end this note with links and the extended trailer!
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Going Postal on IMDBThe Official Going Postal Sky1 website.
Comments
I remember book fan's complaining that Susan (Death's Granddaughter) wasn't skinny enough for the role.
I'd like to see Guards! Guards! done next. Carrot is one of my all time favorite characters. Hell they could get Carrot Top to play him. That dude is jacked.