by I_Like_Plants » Wed 15 Jun 2005, 09:37:29
You know, that Dancing With Wolves guy. Anyway, it was about $12 for the DVD and it was recommended by a friend I think a lot of, so I got it and watched it.
It's a pretty good movie, well worth getting, and has some interesting ideas in it. I have heard it was originally a book so now I want to get the book. I don't think people would have as contrived, "biker" looking clothes, and I'm dismayed that at the end, the happy ending seems to be that people can go back to a corporate lifestyle, as evidenced by the microphone, schmaltzy statue/memorial of The Postman, and everyone's Lacoste polo shirt.
I do think people like the Holnists are possible, since it's the basic marauder model as exercised by people like Alexander, Ghenghis, etc. And Holnist type ideas are sure widespread.
The regular people seem to be farmers/hunters/gatherers and the Holnists aspiring Empire builders, hence the Holnists' emphasis on race, while the regular people are not shown caring about race. When 90% of the population dies off, race is not going to matter to most people. Just as, hunter/gatherers have historically not cared about race, the Native Americans welcoming runaway slaves and whites alike who wanted to live with them - if you could hack it, why not? It was a problem even Ben Franklin griped about. Apparently it's at the nation-state, or "Empire" level that race becomes an issue, and the Holnists are as wound up about it as David Duke's followers are now. If we have a downfall like the type the movie alludes to, we'll have regular people just trying to get by, and groups like the Holnists for sure.
One thing that gets me is how well-fed the townspeople and Holnists alike are, of course it's probably impossible to find actors who aren't well-fed and plump in the US. And how'd they make mule meat come out grey? Mysteries, mysteries. The movie is worth a look though.