Going Postal

As part of an ongoing Pratchett Project, Sky One presented a live action television series of Terry Pratchett's 'Going Postal'. Previous Discworld stories that were retold in crisp high definition movies were 'Hogfather' and 'The Colour of Magic' but somehow they didn't quite portray the subtle humour and rehashed satirical stabs at English culture featured heavily in Pratchett's written work.

Going Postal is the story of a young conman, Moist Von Lipwig who not only has the most ridiculous name in English literature but is one of the best fraudsters and pickpocketers in the Discworld. However his luck begins to run out as he is linked to a huge banking scam and ends his criminal life hanging on the end of a noose. This wasn't the end for Lipwig, who escapes just an inch of his life and is taken in by statesman Lord Vetinari who gives him the ultimate choice: death by deep pit, or save the Post Office. Lipwig not quite ready to give up on life takes the latter, but it takes more than a few preforated stamps to restore the post office in the city of Ankh-Morpork.

Lipwig is played by Richard Coyle who makes a welcome return to television after gaining recognition as the daft Welshman Jeff in Coupling over a decade ago. Coyle at 38 is perhaps a little too old to play Lipwig, but he carries the character off with great energy and vigour so in some shots you would mistake him as a twenty somthing. Other than the relatively unknown Claire Foy as spiky love rival Adorabelle Dearheart, the cast is a plethora of disguished English Actors; David Suchet as diabolical frontman of the clacks (Discworld instant messaging with lights and things) Charles Dance as Veternari and a surprising appearance by Andrew Sachs as crusty postman Mr Groats.

I can't pick fault with sets on the series, every detail of the streets of Ankh-Morpork are beautifully crafted. Sure, it doesn't look like a real town, but the point is to make it as quirky and reminscient of 'Ye Olde Englande' as much as possible. There is also a lack of special effects, only when absolutely necessary which is a relief to see. A favourite aspect of this mini series is the portrayal of the Golem. Taken straight out of Jewish folklore, the Golems are clay based humanoids who can be 'employed' to do work for people in the city, but they prove to be faithful, morally righteous creatures who don't mind doing a bit of hard work. Lipwig is watched by golem 'Pump 19' or 'Mister Pump' who protects him from death and makes sure he doesn't scarper under Veternari's orders. I really loved the look of the Golems in the series, a simple case of putting men in large bulky costumes and walking heavy footed around the city. Who needs CGI?

Despite the great cast and fantastic scenery of Going Postal, it just doesn't have the comedic effect of the novel itself. The writers with the help of Pratchett himself have portrayed the main plotline faithfully, but it made the adaptation more of a period drama than a satrical stab at our own mundane lives. In fact, forgetting the presence of the golems and the odd appearance of Ridcully from the Unseen University, you would forget that the story is set in the fantasy realm of Discworld. Perhaps without all the little in jokes the writers are trying to appeal to a larger audience, which is obvious enough but I felt there wasn't much of a nod to the fans, except a cameo of Mr Pratchett himself at the end.

The series, although only in two episodes was far too lengthy and didn't have enough backbone to make the second half in particular, a riveting affair. I think the problem is not in the acting, writing and directing, it's just one of those literary genres that isn't easy to show in a different medium. Comedy is a bugger to bounce from written word to dialogue so I will still take off my overly large crooked wizard hat to the makers of Going Postal.