The final film from legendary director Carol Reed (THE THIRD MAN, OLIVER!) and produced by Hal B. Wallis, the veteran Hollywood producer behind such classics as CASABLANCA and THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, 1972’s FOLLOW ME is another home video debut through Network Releasing’s ‘British Film Collection’
Charles (Michael Jayston) is an insecure London-based businessman who discovers the early joys and throes of love through waitress Belinda (Mia Farrow), hoping he can compensate for his personal issues by being with somebody in the sanctity of marriage.
However, within months, the marriage is floundering and Belinda’s mysterious trips to places like Windsor Great Park to watch dolphins and late returns to important dinner parties heighten Charles’ insecurity, prompting him to take on the services of a flamboyant, if a little odd, private detective in the form of Cristoforou (Topol), who agrees to follow Belinda on Charles’ request.
However, when Charles confronts Belinda for the truth, something a little more left-field and surprising emerges from her lips…
Adapted by Peter Shaffer, who also wrote AMADEUS and EQUUS (both adapted into films), from his play THE PUBLIC EYE, FOLLOW ME retains much of the charm and joyful interaction that made the original play such a must-see on stage.
Although the film is very much of its time (Zeffirelli’s film version of ROMEO AND JULIET is still running at a cinema around Whitehall) and audiences will still pick up on many of the key London landmarks from the opening, there are some interesting comments by Farrow about the meaning of marriage and relationships which will resonate as much today, if not more so, as they did back in the 1970s.
The remastering of the film captures perfectly the excellent cinematography by Christopher Challis (CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG) and fans of the late Bond composer John Barry will get pleasure from another of his excellent scores.
Performances are solid, with Farrow (fresh from ROSEMARY’S BABY) and Topol (fresh from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF) complimenting Jayston’s own neurotic endeavour. The ‘Limited Edition’ also contains a booklet by Professor Laura Mayne and John Barry expert Geoff Leonard.
FOLLOW ME is available from Monday August 19th 2019 on Blu-ray and DVD.
