Public Eye: The Complete 1975 Series

An interesting drama, Public Eye was hugely successful in its day (1965-1975) and although largely forgotten now has clearly remained popular enough to warrant release on DVD.

Following the day-to-day work of ageing ‘enquiry agent’ Frank Marker (Alfred Burke), this series sat nicely in the emerging gritty style of television that the era spawned. Marker was not your stereotypical glossy PI - he was a downtrodden put-upon man working from a humble office, who took on all manner of jobs to earn a crust. He would make discreet enquiries, find missing people, encounter underworld hoodlums, get beaten up occasionally... and always, of course, while wearing his Columbo style trench coat.

This is the final series of Public Eye and, like his character, leading man Alfred Burke seems to have the weight of the world on his shoulders, after so many low-paying cases over the last ten years have passed through his hands. The thirteen episodes here are pretty decent when watched today, offering a glimpse of a seedy, shadowy and morally corrupt world that many of us can only imagine. The 1970s setting, realistic acting and varied themes add to the general feel of this series, and although not ground breaking by any means, does set this release above many of its contemporaries.

Extras: None.

Released on 24th March 2008 by Network.

Written by Phil Allely.