Follow Me! Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Follow Me! Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov October 7, 2019

Carol Reed's "Follow Me" (1972) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Network Releasing. The supplemental features on the disc include an original U.S. trailer for the film; additional promotional materials; and John Barry's soundtrack. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

The public eye

Carol Reed’s final film, Follow Me (also distributed in the United States under the alternative title The Public Eye), is almost as strange as Henri-Georges Clouzot’s final film, Woman in Chains. Indeed, it is a total outsider that does not resemble any other film in Reed’s body of work, and much like Clouzot’s film feels like the creation of a man who finally dared to reveal his most intimate dream project. (While Woman in Chains is the bigger shocker because it plays out like a cinematic confession of a closeted fetishist, both films undoubtedly qualify for the it-has-to-be-seen-to-be-believed label).

At the center of Reed’s film is a broken marriage between two people with completely different understandings of what it means to be in love. Naturally, to preserve their relationship they have become actors that routinely play parts that the other side appreciates. Belinda (Mia Farrow), who is originally from America, seems to be the better of the two, which eventually frustrates Charles (Michael Jayston), who is an old-fashioned British businessman, and for this reason he decides to hire a detective to figure out her game. The other equally important reason that helps his decision is his suspicion that his wife is actually having an affair with another man.

As soon as the detective (Topol) goes to work, however, Belinda becomes even more detached from Charles, and over the course of a few weeks her personality changes as well. When Charles summons the detective to report his findings, he casually confirms his greatest fear -- his wife is in a relationship with another man, looking younger and exhibiting greater understanding of her needs, and she appears genuinely happy in his company. Barely able to contain his anger, Charles then gathers the courage to confront Belinda and at the right time reveals to her that he has proof that she has been cheating on him. Belinda does not deny the detective’s findings, but when she calmly begins describing the man she has been seeing and their relationship Charles becomes confused -- very, very confused.

Even though its visual style is drastically different, Follow Me very much looks like a distant relative of Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Amélie. It is so warm and oozing so much of that pure cinematic romance that is now so rare in mainstream films that it is absolutely impossible to dislike. It is the kind of strange, and in a good way, film that only a desperate romantic or someone that is seriously drunk on love can envision, and Reed might have been both.

Behind the film’s story -- which this article will intentionally not discuss any further so that its delightful twists are not spoiled -- there is actually a very relevant message, which is that when in love it is not enough to just see and hear your partner; you have to make the effort to feel your partner’s feelings and emotions as well so that your relationship is harmonious. Admittedly, when described with simple words the message does not sound particularly enlightening, but the film makes a great case for its legitimacy and when the final credits roll it will force you to ponder the relationship that you are currently in.

The three leads shine in a variety of different ways, which is why the melodrama is kept at bay. Their transformations bring different vibes and ultimately different layers of atmosphere that make the film quite unpredictable. Obviously, the feel-good factor is always part of the story, but the journey that the film will take you on is anything but straightforward.

Reed worked with cinematographer Christopher Challis (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) who quickly transforms London into one of the most romantic cities on earth.

What truly sets the tone and atmosphere of the film, however, is John Barry’s orchestral score. It is a stunner and the main theme, Follow Follow, is a genuine masterpiece. (Kudos to Network Releasing for including the film’s entire soundtrack as a bonus feature).

Follow Me! Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Follow Me arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Network Releasing.

The release is sourced from a master that was struck from a 35mm intermediate element, and this is precisely the type of look that the film has now. What does this mean exactly? It means that the master has very strong organic qualities, with depth and clarity in particular being rather impressive. However, some of the outdoor footage has slightly better defined -- think thicker -- lines, but this isn't distracting edge-enhancement. (You can see an example in screencapture #1). Basically, light tends to elevate definition a bit, which is where the effect comes from. In fact, there are no traces of any compromising digital adjustments. Colors are stable, nicely saturated and balanced. Image stability is excellent. Finally, the entire film is practically spotless -- it looks very clean and healthy. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Follow Me! Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

The lossless track is a stunner. John Barry's soundtrack plays a massive role in setting the tone and atmosphere of the film and to have the music sound so good really is a game-changer. I am not exaggerating, folks. The music and the great visuals perfectly complement each other and ensure a terrific viewing experience. Fantastic.

Follow Me! Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - a vintage U.S. trailer for Follow Me. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Image Gallery - a collection of vintage promotional materials for the film from around the world. (4 min).

• Original Music Score - John Barry's original music score for Follow Me.

• Booklet - 24-page illustrated booklet featuring a new essay by Dr. Laura Mayne, and another article by Geoff Leonard and Pete Walker, authors of Hit and Miss: The Story of the John Barry Seven).

Follow Me! Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I cannot believe that I somehow missed this film over the years, but I could not be happier that my first viewing of it was made possible with such a beautiful Blu-ray release. Also, while the visuals were very nice, it was really the richness of John Barry's outstanding soundtrack that made me fall in love with the film. Simply fantastic, pure class. So, it appears that Carol Reed's final film, Follow Me, was the cinematic confession of a closeted hopeless romantic. A bit strange that the director of The Third Man made this film, but it may actually be one of his best. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.