Throughout his career the Oscar-winning actor and director Kevin Costner he took part in every possible genre of film, from western to science fiction. Alongside great successes such as Dance with wolves or A perfect world, There are also films that are less appreciated, but which over the years have gained cult fame. One of them is the 1997 title The man of the next daydirected by Costner himself and written by Eric Roth And Brian Helgeland. This is the second directorial for Costner, who returns to measure himself with the post-apocalyptic genre after the 1995 film Waterworldalso remembered in a mixed way.
The man of the next day is the adaptation of the science fiction novel The symbol of rebirthwritten 1985 by David Brin, well-known writer of several works of this genre. Costner was particularly fascinated by the message of hope that the book launched, where a future America was configured, torn apart by social and racial clashes, but where the rebirth of a new civilization is still possible. Brin, in particular, wanted the adaptation of his novel to be more like a film The man of dreams (played by Costner in 1989) which does not a Mad Maxwhere instead every form of hope is lacking.
Despite his good intentions, The man of the next day it was massacred upon its release, obtaining very low takings and equally negative critical reviews. Over the years, however, it has obtained cult status, also proving to be a forerunner of various themes that are very present today in the United States and around the world. Before embarking on a viewing of the film, however, it will certainly be useful to delve deeper into some of the main curiosities relating to it. By continuing to read here it will be possible to find further details relating to the plot et al cast of actors. Finally, the main ones will also be listed streaming platforms containing the film in their catalogue.
The plot of The man of the next day
The story opens in 2013, in a US territory where fifteen years earlier a conflict occurred which caused the collapse of global society, decimating the population and forcing the survivors to divide into small isolated communities. In this new context, gangs of anarchists continually terrorize those who would rather be able to return to peaceful normality. The fight for survival therefore continues to be the only value that is still valid, which leads even those who would not want to be forced to clash with each other. Dictating rules and terror, in particular, is the Holnists group, armed militiamen commanded by the violent General Bethlehem.
In this context also moves a mysterious stranger dressed as a postman and therefore called Postman. Under the incredulous eyes of the people, now accustomed to distrust and suspicion, the man claims to have been sent by the new national government to restore the communication routes within the country, starting from the old backlog letters. The postman soon becomes a symbol of hope for a better future, so much so that it inspires communities to take back their lives. A change that Bethlehem, however, cannot afford to make happen, starting to counteract the Postman’s actions with every means.
The cast of the film
Ever since there was talk of a film adaptation of Brin’s book, the author himself pointed to the Oscar award Kevin Costner as his favorite actor for the title role. Being fascinated by the project and its themes, Costner decided not only to star in the film, but also to make it his second film director. For the occasion, he also had the opportunity to show off his equestrian skills, maneuvering on horseback in several scenes. Costner actually trained in order to be able to perform as many stunts as possible, without resorting to stunt doubles. The actor’s two sons appear on the big screen for the first time in the film.
The actor plays the role of the ruthless General Bethlehem Will Patton. Actor also known for films such as Armageddon – Final Judgment And Out hours. He previously starred as Costner’s antagonist in the film With no way out. Larenz Tate is Ford Lincoln Mercury, a young man who will feel particularly inspired by the Postman, alongside him in his adventures. Olivia Williams instead it is Abby, a woman kidnapped from Bethlehem and whom the Postman will try to save. The well-known musician appears in the role of the mayor of Bridge City Tom Petty. Just about ten years before the film he had declared that he would really like to star in a post-apocalyptic film.
The differences between the film and the book
In addition to condensing the plots, the film The man of the next day it also eliminates some characters and science fiction elements from the story. A significant plot in the book involves the efforts of scientists in Corvallis, Oregon, to use an artificially intelligent supercomputer to help rebuild society. Likewise, in the book the leaders of the Holnists are super soldiers who have been subjected to military experiments to increase their strength and speed. The film also eliminates the “Sugarloaf Squire,” a local community leader whom the Postman tries to enlist to help him in the fight against the Holnists. Furthermore, in the film the protagonist’s name is not revealed, while in the book it is Gordon Krantz.
Other differences are that in the novel major US cities were destroyed by several EMPs and the release of biological weapons. In the film, Nathan Holn, the founder of the Holnists, was executed some time before the events of the novel. Gordon allies himself with a tenacious tribal group made up of descendants of ranchers, loggers and Native Americans, led by a veteran of the Native American special forces, against the Holnists, their bitter enemies. The novel ends with Gordon discovering that the Holnists have another organized enemy to the south and identifying their symbol: The Bear Banner, and the Holnists and their enemies unite to revive civilization.
The trailer of The man of the next day and where to see the film in streaming and on TV
It is possible to enjoy the film thanks to its presence on some of the most popular streaming platforms on the internet today. The man of the next day it is in fact available in the catalogues Rakuten TV, Google Play, Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video. To see it, once you have chosen the reference platform, simply rent the single film or sign up for a general subscription. You will then have the opportunity to watch it in total comfort and at the best video quality. It is good to note that in the case of rental you will only have a given time limit within which to look at the title. The film is also present in the television schedule of Monday 29 April at 9.00pm On the canal Iris.
Source: IMDb
