Going Postal   Starring: Richard Coyle, David Suchet, Claire Foy, Andrew Sachs and Charles Dance Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment RRP: £19.99 5022301000 Certificate: 12 Available 23 August 2010

When con-artist Moist von Lipwig is sent to the hangman’s noose, he doesn’t expect to get beaten at his own game and fall through the trapdoor into a Government job. Given the position of Postmaster, a role that hasn’t been occupied in years, by ruler of Ankh-Morpork Lord Vetinari, it’s his daunting task to get the dilapidated Postal Service up and running again. Standing in his way is the Grand Trunk Clacks communication cartel and its leader, Reacher Gilt. Taking on the evil monopoly, Moist must rise to challenge, ensure the delivery of the mail, restore hope to the people of Ankh-Morpok and even get the girl...

Going Postal is the third Discworld novel to be brought to the small screen and is produced by the same team that worked on Hogfather and The Colour of Magic.

Of the three productions so far I enjoyed this the most. While the other two were also impressive, Going Postal seems a much more polished affair and is designed to appeal to a much more mature audience.

The story is very straightforward and simple enough, with the usual element thrown in that makes you stop and think, but it's the world Pratchett has created that really shines out in this production. The design of the Clacks and the very amusing mobile Clack system is ingenious in its realisation. Part Victorian-esque, part modern day technology, it takes a sideways look at the marketing of technological gadgets that don't quite work as advertised. The design of the dilapidated post office is also on a grand scale.

There's an impressive collection of actors including Richard Coyle, David Suchet, Claire Foy, Andrew Sachs and Charles Dance - all of who turn in incredible performances.

There are two DVD editions available to buy. There's the single disc edition (which we were sent for review) and the 2-disc edition. The single disc release has only an introduction with Terry Pratchett, while the 2-disc edition, if the press release is to be believed, only includes Deleted Scenes; Gag Reel; Cast Interviews and Director and Producer Commentary. Now, why the commentary couldn't have been included on the single disc release is beyond me... and to be honest, by the sound of things, all the content would have easily fitted onto a single disc. This make the retail price a little cheeky - £20 for the single disc release and £25 for the two-disc edition. I think not.

To be honest it sounds like there's very little on the 2-disc edition that is all that exciting, so I'd stick with the plain old single disc release.

So, another well produced and beautifully realised production of another Pratchett book.

9

Darren Rea