Customer Reviews

Follow Me, Boys!

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I remember the tune from when I saw it as a kid in the late 60s, and have hoped to see it again ever since. What a breath of fresh air compared to the tripe that Disney puts out today. Films like these remind us of America's Golden Age. Wonderful performances by all, uplifting singing on the trail, and a heart-rending, happy ending make this film a MUST HAVE in the libraries of parents who want wholesome entertainment for their kids. I wonder why more of the 1960's Disney movies have not come out on DVD. As a parent, I dont have to be woried about foul language ,sexual inuendos, or even "attitudes" that my kids will see glorified when we watch films like these. I gave my copy to a newly-minted Eagle Scout, and will order another for my family...

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It seems that Disney just can't get consistent with the quality of their DVD releases.

While the film stands on its own as an American treasure, the opportunity to optimize the DVD format for "Follow Me Boys" has been completely squandered.

While the Bonus Features give us a gallery of photos (which are much too small to even appreciate), only "Looking Back at Lem's Boys" is offered in our bonus package (that is, if you don't count the opportunities to "Register Your DVD" or return to "Main Menu."

"Looking Back at Lem's Boys" bonus is nice, in that it's the reflection of several of the young actors in the film who are now grown men in their 50's. Even so, if this piece cost more than a thousand bucks for Disney to produce, someone got robbed. Most amateur videographers could match the quality of this presentation.

During the "Looking Back" presentation, some politically correct genius chose to digitally remove all traces of the cigarette that Walt Disney was smoking while talking with Fred McMurray on the set of this film. Such an assault on historical integrity is absurd... particularly in that Disney died of lung cancer only weeks after the film was released.

Sadly, DisneyDVD has missed the opportunity to provide a QUALITY release (one worth of the name "Disney"), which should have included:

- a documentary on the magnificent career of one of Hollywood's most beloved actors: Fred McMurray

- a film commentary by Kurt Russell

- biographies of a stellar cast, including screen legend Lillian Gish; Vera Miles; Luana Patten ("Song of the South" and "So Dear to My Heart"); Charlie Ruggles (namesake of the early Disneyland Main Street U.S.A. shop "Ruggles China and Gift House"). A "where are they now" feature on the cast of boys from the film would have been a great addition.

- A feature on set decorator Emile Kuri and Special effects man, Eustace Lycett. The importance of their work on Disney films is incalculable, and yet is commonly overlooked by today's audiences.

- A feature on Walt Disney's significant contribution as story man on this feature film would have been an appropriate tribute. His personal contribution directly shaped the film that would finally be made.

- Walt's personal filmed introduction for "Follow Me Boys" should have been included. Even A&E included this on their recent salute to Kurt Russell; yet somehow DisneyDVD saw it as unnecessary. Unbelievable! Ironically, as the select "premieres" for "Follow Me Boys" were taking place throughout the country in December of 1966, this filmed introduction was played even newspaper headlines revealed that Walt Disney had succumbed to cancer. The high significance of Walt's own words was a magnificent affirmation of Kurt Russell's talent and of Walt's high hopes for Russell's career. Sadly, a generation of new Disney viewers may never hear this touching final story from the master storyteller himself.

We'll just call it... "opportunity lost".
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This video is a wonderful family film. It is long however but worth every minute of it. I highly recomend this video.

This is an excellent movie showing the proper relationship between an adult Scout leader and his Scouts. This is a better version than the previously released video, because the DVD adds back 13 minutes removed by the video. The added-back minutes greatly enhance the quality of the story and bring additional valuable insights to the story. If I were in charge of any adults that work with Boy Scouts, I would require them to see this movie.

This is a classic all-American Disney feel good movie. If that's your thing you will love this film. I found it highly entertaining and a great look back to an idealized simpler time. My only complaint with the film would be that the last quarter seems to drag on a bit because of several drastic plot twists that come completely out of left field. But this is a minor flaw to a great film that is suited for the entire family.

The DVD itself needs some help. For reasons unknown the film is not presented in it's original aspect ratio and worse, there is a yellow border around the picture while the opening credits are playing. On the plus side, there is a great 11 minute bonus documentary, "Looking back With Lem's boys" which features interviews with the grown up kids who appeared in the film. Kurt Russell does not appear in it but it's still a great feature

Follow Me, Boys is a great family movie!!! I happened to stumble on it in a store locally and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to watch a good clean movie with their kids. I enjoy it alone as well.

Disney, Disney, Disney. "Follow Me, Boys" is a flat-out wonderful film. When first saw it during its mid-'70's re-release, I was absolutely riveted by the story and performances and moved by the Capra-esque ending. I would recommend this film to everyone. But I cannot recommend this version of one of your most beloved films. You see, the pan-and-scan version you have presented on DVD is horrible. The picture is muddy, the picture is cut-off, and the whole picture suffers because of it. The only reason I give it two stars is because you did include a wonderful documentary with reminiscences from "Lem's boys," while your other fullscreen DVDs have not had any special features whatsoever. And contrary to what Disney apologists like some of these reviewers like to think, it DOES matter whether or not a film is in widescreen. It's called ARTISTIC INTEGRITY, something Walt Disney had but the current Eisner-led idiots do not. The actors, technicians, writer and director all deserve better, to say nothing of Walt himself, who happened to produce the darn thing and would have loved widescreen format. Let's face it: there's a reason all of today's top directors--Eastwood, Scorsese, Spielberg, Allen, Stone, Lucas, Jackson,etc.--insist on widescreen transfers of their films. It's the only format that truly respects their work as filmmakers.

I bought this DVD in spite of the format because I love the film so much but I'm sorry I did. In fact, I will no longer buy any video from any company unless it is widescreen. I encourage everyone who loves movies to do likewise.

First saw the movie with my dad in 1966. After the movie, we talked about Boy Scouting and the wonderful time that he had.

Of all the things that I remember as a boy, this one really stands out. After the movie at home, Dad opened his dresser drawer and pulled out a small black box. Inside was his Eagle medal and a letter he wrote prior to his court of honor. I remember when things got tough in scouts, opening that drawer and looking at the medal and realizing that I can achieve Eagle.

I made Eagle in 1976 and my Dad pinned his medal on me. I still have the medal and look at it regularly. By the way, my son is a Star scout today and I hope to have 3 generations of Eagles available when he finishes.

Can still sing "Follow Me Boys" and drive the Scouters crazy!

By the way "I use to be a bobwhite..."

Excellent movie for all boys.... young and old!

Found this movies to be one of my favorite, it is without a doubt
one of the best movie Disney made in the sixties