Jacques Tati plays a French postman adamant to prove he can be just as fast as American postmen at delivering mail.
Acting
Tati's gangly physical comedy is already fully formed genius here
Direction
Every prop becomes a punchline — the bicycle is a co-star
Practical Effects
Zero dialogue, 100% practical stunts and timing
Director
Jacques Tati
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Made shortly after WWII, this satirizes French anxiety about American industrial dominance — the postman isn't just competing, he's performing national inadequacy.
Tati shot this short three separate times with different endings; the version you see depends on which restoration you find, like a cinematic choose-your-own-adventure.
FR
