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The Public Eye

Original title: Follow Me
  • 19721972
  • GG
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
797
YOUR RATING
Mia Farrow and Topol in The Public Eye (1972)
ComedyDrama
When a strait-laced British accountant marries a free-spirited American, he starts trying to change her. His wife doesn't keep regular hours, so he suspects an affair and hires a detective (... Read allWhen a strait-laced British accountant marries a free-spirited American, he starts trying to change her. His wife doesn't keep regular hours, so he suspects an affair and hires a detective (Topol). The wife notices she is being followed, and maintaining their distance she and the... Read allWhen a strait-laced British accountant marries a free-spirited American, he starts trying to change her. His wife doesn't keep regular hours, so he suspects an affair and hires a detective (Topol). The wife notices she is being followed, and maintaining their distance she and the detective explore London for 10 days in a game of follow-the-leader without ever exchangi... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
797
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Carol Reed
  • Writer
    • Peter Shaffer(play)
  • Stars
    • Mia Farrow
    • Topol
    • Michael Jayston
  • Director
    • Carol Reed
  • Writer
    • Peter Shaffer(play)
  • Stars
    • Mia Farrow
    • Topol
    • Michael Jayston
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 23User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins

    Photos7

    Mia Farrow, Michael Jayston, and Topol in The Public Eye (1972)
    Mia Farrow and Michael Jayston in The Public Eye (1972)
    Mia Farrow and Michael Jayston in The Public Eye (1972)
    Carol Reed in The Public Eye (1972)
    The Public Eye (1972)
    Mia Farrow in The Public Eye (1972)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Mia Farrow
    Mia Farrow
    • Belinda
    Topol
    Topol
    • Julian Cristoforou
    Michael Jayston
    Michael Jayston
    • Charles
    Margaret Rawlings
    Margaret Rawlings
    • Mrs. Sidley
    Annette Crosbie
    Annette Crosbie
    • Miss Framer
    Dudley Foster
    • Mr. Mayhew
    Michael Aldridge
    Michael Aldridge
    • Sir Philip Crouch
    Michael Barrington
    Michael Barrington
    • Mr. Scrampton
    Neil McCarthy
    Neil McCarthy
    • Parkinson
    David Battley
    David Battley
    • Writer
    • (uncredited)
    Ernest Blyth
    • Party Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Gabrielle Brune
    • Lady Crouch
    • (uncredited)
    Pauline Chamberlain
    Pauline Chamberlain
    • Woman at Concert
    • (uncredited)
    James Cossins
    James Cossins
    • Party Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Lucy Griffiths
    • Bertha
    • (uncredited)
    Joan Henley
    Joan Henley
    • Dinner Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Gladys Henson
    • Old woman weighing dog
    • (uncredited)
    David Hutcheson
    • Dinner Guest
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Carol Reed
    • Writer
      • Peter Shaffer(play) (screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This was the last film to be directed by Sir Carol Reed.
    • Quotes

      Charles: Well, do you think that would work? Following her around London like a pet dog.

      Julian Cristoforou: Well, Orfeus tried to lead his girl out of hell by not looking at her. Let Belinda lead you by not speaking. Do you think that's so silly? How many people would become married, in fact as well as law, if they just shut up and looked and listened and heard each other's heartbeats of the daytime?

    • Connections
      Featured in Shall We Dance? (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      Follow Follow
      Music by John Barry

      Lyrics by Don Black

    User reviews23

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Topol as a romantic lead?
    I just saw this film a few months ago in a state run "art" cinema in Bucharest, Romania. I had nothing better to do and I saw some decent reviews in IMDb so I decided to see this movie. Plus, I'm a big fan of director Carol Reed.

    The print was quite poor but the acting, especially by Topol, who I loved in Fiddler on the Roof (one my favorite movies) was good. 70's London was well photographed and the music was perfect. The film was quite moderately funny as well. In the first scene where he introduced himself, I felt Topol was quite irritating. But as we slowly get to know the character and his free-spirited nature, he begins to become likable, especially when he starts leading Mia in the streets of London with funny 'edible' names which is a highlight of the movie. This film was supposed to launch Topol as a male romantic lead. Instead, it fizzled and he continued to sing "If I were a rich man..". I think there was something missing in the movie but I can't point out exactly what it was - its an eccentric, moody little film.

    Wouldn't it be nice if Hollywood remade this instead of well established classics like Psycho and Italian Job. This film never made it to the big league. Most film buff's would never have heard of it and the premise is quite interesting. The idea deserves a second chance with a better known cast (and packaging) although the original music theme should remain.
    helpful•5
    2
    • faraaj-1
    • Oct 28, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 21, 1972 (West Germany)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ljubavna prica jednog detektiva
    • Filming locations
      • Albert Bridge, Battersea, London, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Hal Wallis Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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