1996
In a post-apocalyptic America, a lone wanderer scavenges for survival until he is conscripted into the Holnist Army, led by the ruthless General Bethlehem. After escaping the Holnists, the wanderer discovers a United States Postal Service uniform and mail, inspiring him to impersonate a postal carrier and bring hope to isolated communities. He arrives in Pine View, where he is welcomed as a symbol of the restored government, and he inspires a young man named Ford Lincoln Mercury to become a postal carrier, but Bethlehem's forces soon attack Pine View, burning the post office and capturing Abby, a woman with whom the Postman has become romantically involved. The Postman and Abby escape Bethlehem's clutches and find refuge in a hunting shack, where Abby reveals her pregnancy, and they later encounter a growing network of postal carriers inspired by the Postman's actions, including Ford.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The Postman opens on a lone rider traversing a desolate landscape, setting a tone of isolation and hope in a post-apocalyptic world.
Open full beat sheetThe Postman is listed as Protagonist. A wanderer who adopts the persona of a U.S. Postal Service carrier to survive. In the parsed data, The Postman is connected to 97 scenes, 195 dialogue lines, 204 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
97 scenes / 195 dialogue linesAbby is listed as Supporting. A woman from Pine View who becomes The Postman's partner. In the parsed data, Abby is connected to 43 scenes, 37 dialogue lines, 48 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
43 scenes / 37 dialogue linesFord Lincoln Mercury is listed as Supporting. A young man who becomes the first official postal carrier under The Postman. In the parsed data, Ford Lincoln Mercury is connected to 33 scenes, 25 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 33.
33 scenes / 25 dialogue linesGeneral Bethlehem is listed as Antagonist. Leader of the Holnist Army, former copying machine salesman. In the parsed data, General Bethlehem is connected to 27 scenes, 45 dialogue lines, 46 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
27 scenes / 45 dialogue linesColonel Getty is listed as Supporting. Bethlehem's second-in-command, a mute soldier. In the parsed data, Colonel Getty is connected to 23 scenes, 22 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
23 scenes / 22 dialogue linesPonytail is listed as Minor. A young female postal carrier. In the parsed data, Ponytail is connected to 21 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 63.
21 scenes / 11 dialogue linesWoody is listed as Minor. A muscled man from the village who is conscripted into the Holnist Army. In the parsed data, Woody is connected to 19 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
19 scenes / 7 dialogue linesBandit #20 is listed as Minor. A young, opportunistic bandit who joins the Holnist Army. In the parsed data, Bandit #20 is connected to 18 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
18 scenes / 12 dialogue linesSheriff Briscoe is listed as Supporting. Leader of Pine View. In the parsed data, Sheriff Briscoe is connected to 14 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 29.
14 scenes / 14 dialogue linesOld George is listed as Minor. An elderly former aerospace engineer who helps the postal carriers. In the parsed data, Old George is connected to 10 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 50.
10 scenes / 8 dialogue linesThe Postman travels across a dry lake bed while a woman narrates the history of the world's collapse.
The PostmanThe Postman walks along a highway and talks to his mule.
The PostmanThe Postman scouts the horizon from a billboard.
The PostmanThe Postman tests water quality and enters a 76 station.
The PostmanThe Postman finds a cigarette machine and encounters a doe.
The PostmanBandits confront The Postman.
The Postman, Bandit #20, WoodyThe Postman climbs the 76 ball.
The PostmanThe Postman escapes the bandits by dislodging the 76 ball.
The Postman, Bandit #20, WoodyThe Postman grooms his mule and prepares to enter a town.
The PostmanThe Postman performs Shakespeare, then General Bethlehem arrives and conscripts men.
The Postman, General Bethlehem, Colonel Getty, WoodyThe Postman is held in a pen and confronted by Bethlehem.
The Postman, General Bethlehem, Colonel Getty, Bandit #20, WoodyThe Postman wakes up and talks to Woody.
The Postman, WoodyThe Postman and other conscripts are fed mule meat by Idaho; Bandit #20 is denied food for being last in line.
The Postman, General Bethlehem, Colonel Getty, Bandit #20, WoodyGeneral Bethlehem enforces the 'Laws of Eight' and executes a recruit for failing to sit.
The Postman, General Bethlehem, Colonel Getty, WoodyThe army marches; Idaho informs the Postman that Bethlehem wants to see him.
The Postman, Colonel Getty, WoodyBethlehem interviews the Postman, revealing his past as a salesman and his admiration for Nathan Holn.
The Postman, General Bethlehem, Colonel GettyThe Postman attempts to recruit Woody and Bandit #20 to escape.
The Postman, Bandit #20, WoodyThe Postman notices Bandit #20 conspiring with Getty.
The Postman, Colonel Getty, Bandit #20, WoodyIdaho forces the Postman to volunteer for a dangerous task across the river.
The Postman, General Bethlehem, Colonel Getty, Bandit #20, WoodyThe Postman crosses the dangerous bridge.
The PostmanThe Postman is prodded into the thicket by soldiers.
The PostmanThe Postman finds the corpse and escapes into the river.
The Postman, General Bethlehem, Colonel Getty, Bandit #20, WoodyThe Postman escapes the river and enters the woods.
The PostmanA confrontation occurs; Woody kills the soldier and Idaho, but dies in the process.
The Postman, Colonel Getty, Bandit #20, WoodyThe Postman continues his escape.
The PostmanThe Postman finds an old Jeep with a skeleton and mail.
The PostmanThe Postman buries the skeleton.
The PostmanThe Postman chooses his path.
The PostmanThe Postman demands entry to Pine View as a government representative.
The Postman, Sheriff BriscoeThe Postman reads a letter to Mrs. March.
The PostmanThe Postman takes a hot bath and sings to himself.
The PostmanFord carries The Postman's uniform across the parking lot.
Ford Lincoln MercuryFord returns the cleaned uniform to The Postman.
The Postman, Ford Lincoln MercuryFord and The Postman walk to Foster's Freeze.
The Postman, Ford Lincoln MercuryThe Postman is questioned by townspeople about the government.
The Postman, Ford Lincoln Mercury, Sheriff BriscoeThe Postman interacts with townspeople, dances with Abby, and is propositioned.
The Postman, AbbyThe Postman wanders through town and finds the post office.
The PostmanThe Postman swears Ford in as a postal carrier; Briscoe confronts The Postman.
The Postman, Ford Lincoln Mercury, Sheriff BriscoeThe Postman returns to his room to find more letters.
The PostmanFord works on his uniform patch.
Ford Lincoln MercuryAbby visits The Postman and they sleep together.
The Postman, AbbyThe Postman wakes up alone.
The PostmanThe Postman prepares to leave and is gifted a horse.
The Postman, Ford Lincoln Mercury, Sheriff BriscoeThe Postman leaves town; Briscoe gives him a letter.
The Postman, Sheriff BriscoeThe Postman rides and reflects on his role.
The PostmanAbby and Michael are interrupted by news of Holnists.
AbbyBethlehem and his soldiers arrive.
General BethlehemBriscoe hides Ford from the Holnists.
Ford Lincoln Mercury, Sheriff BriscoeBethlehem forces Michael to burn the American flag and the post office, then confronts the townspeople.
General Bethlehem, Abby, Ford Lincoln Mercury, Colonel Getty, Sheriff Briscoe, Old GeorgeBethlehem expresses interest in Abby, leading to a confrontation where he kills Michael.
General Bethlehem, Abby, Colonel Getty, Sheriff Briscoe, Old GeorgeThe Holnist army leaves Pine View with Abby as a prisoner.
General Bethlehem, AbbyFord decides to leave Pine View to deliver the mail.
Ford Lincoln Mercury, Sheriff BriscoeThe Postman conducts mail call in Benning.
The PostmanBethlehem arrives at Benning and demands entry.
General Bethlehem, Abby, Colonel GettyThe Postman and Abby discuss the moon, her pregnancy, and the father of her child.
The Postman, AbbyThe Postman negotiates with Bethlehem.
The Postman, General Bethlehem, AbbySpring arrives and the snow begins to recede.
AbbyThe Postman shaves his beard and Abby tells him it is time to leave.
The Postman, AbbyAbby reveals she set the shack on fire to force their departure.
The Postman, AbbyThe Postman and Abby encounter a young postal carrier named Ponytail.
The Postman, Abby, PonytailThe Postman and Abby arrive at the postal carrier camp and meet Ford.
The Postman, Abby, Ford Lincoln Mercury, PonytailBattle ensues; Abby escapes with The Postman.
The Postman, General Bethlehem, Abby, Colonel GettyThe Postman confronts Ford about the lies regarding their contact.
The Postman, Ford Lincoln MercuryThe Postman addresses the carriers.
The Postman, Abby, Ford Lincoln MercuryFord gives The Postman a tour of the postal operations.
The Postman, Abby, Ford Lincoln MercuryThe Postman inspects the printing press.
The Postman, Ford Lincoln Mercury, WoodyNew recruits are sworn in, including Old George.
The Postman, Ford Lincoln Mercury, Old George, PonytailThe Postman tries to talk to Abby.
The Postman, AbbyThe sun sets on the Holnist camp.
Bethlehem interrogates a captured mail carrier.
General Bethlehem, Colonel GettyAbby confronts The Postman about his past.
The Postman, AbbyCarriers depart on their routes.
The Postman, Ford Lincoln Mercury, Woody, PonytailThe Postman declares a new postal station.
The PostmanPonytail delivers mail.
PonytailRed and Chubby finish mail call.
WoodyThe Postman rides alone.
The PostmanThe Postman collects a letter from a boy.
The PostmanThe Postman returns to Pine View.
The Postman, Abby, Ford Lincoln Mercury, Sheriff BriscoeThe Postman discusses the bounty on his head.
The Postman, Ford Lincoln Mercury, Sheriff BriscoeA party is held in Pine View.
The Postman, Abby, Ford Lincoln Mercury, Sheriff BriscoeI don't think we ever really understood what they meant to us until they were gone. Getting a letter made you feel like you were part of something bigger than yourself. No place was ever too far away for the postman. So nobody ever had to be alone. The postman was someone you could count on. Things just made more sense when they were around. That's the kind of world we used to have. A world a lot of us took for granted. And now we've got this one. And it makes me wonder -- what kind of world do I want my child to live in? I want my child to live in a world where hopes and dreams aren't just lies you tell yourself to get through another day. I want my child, and I want my friends -- I want all of us to live in a world where you still get your mail.
'Dear Irene. Sorry I haven't written. Everything's so crazy. The strange weather. The food shortages. That farmer Nathan Holn causing all that trouble. It's hard to understand. David's home from the Army. The war was over before he even got there. Thank God for that. He's still my baby no matter how big he gets. We're going to miss you for Christmas, but maybe next year. All our love. Donna.'
If he wishes to rise above mere thuggery, a military commandeer must be classically educated. Philosophy, history. Even a sense of the dramatic. Do you know what I did before the war? Do you think I was in the army? I sold copying machines. I was a salesman. The talent to lead men and devise and execute a battle plan were locked away inside me.
Those men hunted themselves a lion this morning. Must've been a zoo around here before the war. Anyhow, they shot him and he crawled into that thicket. A third man went in after him. We don't know if he's dead or alive. I need a volunteer. Someone's gotta go in and get our boy out.
I'm here in Minneapolis with President Starkey, but my thoughts are with you. Remember, nothing worth doing can be done overnight. Keep your chins up and do your best not to get shot. Signed, The Postman.
I'm here in Minneapolis with President Starkey, but my thoughts are with you. Remember, nothing worth doing can be done overnight. Keep your chins up and do your best not to get shot. Signed, The Postman.
Understand that tampering with or obstructing the mail is a federal offense. Furthermore, the Bolin Act requires you to provide all mail carriers with sanctuary and nourishment. Now open that damn gate!
He's only the greatest man who ever lived. He crossed the wasteland, shook his fist at the enemy and spit in the eye of General Bethlehem himself. He's back east with President Starkey right now.
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