This is not the first time Columbo has entered the world of magic and illusion in the course of his investigations; it is an ideal setting for murder, with its built-in "things are not what they seem to be" theme. This movie, however, goes into greater detail exploring the mechanics of trickery, and adds in the richer theme of (supposed) paranormal phenomena to make things more confusing. A renowned magician and debunker of fake mystics (perhaps modelled somewhat on James Randi) declares that a celebrated young psychic is the genuine article, and has actually succeeded in passing rigorous laboratory tests to prove his psychic ability. In fact, the psychic is a fake, as the magician is fully aware, but a combination of guilt and sentiment over some shared history between the two men leads him to cover up for the young man, who takes advantage of this weakness to kill him. Columbo must not only work his way through the tricky surfaces presented by professional magicians, he has to also deal with a murderer who has been authoritatively declared a genuine psychic by the victim. The most useful advice he gets comes from a rather snotty little boy who is a magic buff and tells him "It's a trick. You start out knowing it's a trick, and then you figure out how to do it." Watching Columbo learn how to duplicate the apparently mystical feats of his opponent is highly enjoyable.
30 Reviews
A Welcome return for an old friend!
Sylviastel24 May 2006
I think of Peter Falk's Lieutenant Columbo as an old friend. I love watching him in action. Peter Falk is so good at playing him and he obviously enjoys it as well because he keeps coming back to him as well. I know that he kept the trademark raincoat from the series. Columbo Goes to the Guillotine was the first of many Columbo television films that came back after a decade long absence from our homes. We notice that Columbo hasn't changed that much including his raincoat over the last ten or so years that he stopped playing him. He's still the smart, funny, forgetful, and lovable Italian detective that we remember and treasure. I wish there was another episode even now. They're all treasures. I love how he doesn't change with the times but the characters do.
A nice return for the great detective
TheLittleSongbird27 June 2010
Without being absolutely outstanding, Columbo Goes to the Guillotine is a solid and nice return for the great detective. The second half does drag though, and some scenes go on for too long, but other than that it is a very good episode, helped primarily by a good script and a clever plot with some interesting magic tricks. The locations and photography as per usual are striking, and the music is good as well. The acting isn't outstanding but it is still good. Peter Falk I have no problem with, while Anthony Andrews gives a good turn as well, while the supporting cast while not as good are solid. Overall, it is a nice return for Columbo, with an 8/10. Bethany Cox
Okay, but not one of the stronger entries
Wizard-813 January 2017
Although I am not a fanatic about Columbo, whenever I come across an episode while I'm channel surfing, I take it. The Columbo mysteries definitely beat the offerings of many other shows, even the Columbo entries that aren't as strong as others... which this one happens to be.
Let me make clear that I didn't hate or merely dislike this entry - I was to a significant degree entertained. But at the same time I saw some significant weaknesses. The most obvious one is the fact that this entry was designed to fit a two hour time slot, while the older episodes were made for a ninety minute time slot. While you might think that more Columbo would be great, for this particular mystery it is a problem. The setup takes far, far longer than usual; it takes a long time for Columbo to make his first appearance. And after Columbo starts to make his investigation, there are a few other places where the story seems unnecessarily padded out.
Also, there are some predictable touches here and there, though that may be because I know the hero so well by now, I have a good idea how he works.
But I'm glad I saw this entry despite its flaws. It's always nice to see this character, who is a little older but still a brilliant and interesting detective. Series fans should enjoy this entry, though people unfamiliar with Columbo should probably start with some of the older (and stronger) episodes first before watching this entry.
Let me make clear that I didn't hate or merely dislike this entry - I was to a significant degree entertained. But at the same time I saw some significant weaknesses. The most obvious one is the fact that this entry was designed to fit a two hour time slot, while the older episodes were made for a ninety minute time slot. While you might think that more Columbo would be great, for this particular mystery it is a problem. The setup takes far, far longer than usual; it takes a long time for Columbo to make his first appearance. And after Columbo starts to make his investigation, there are a few other places where the story seems unnecessarily padded out.
Also, there are some predictable touches here and there, though that may be because I know the hero so well by now, I have a good idea how he works.
But I'm glad I saw this entry despite its flaws. It's always nice to see this character, who is a little older but still a brilliant and interesting detective. Series fans should enjoy this entry, though people unfamiliar with Columbo should probably start with some of the older (and stronger) episodes first before watching this entry.
Some Good Scenes
gene-072028 March 2019
Good Scenes and Good acting. however? The writers should have come up with a better ending. Peter Falk should have insisted on it. Columbo actually risks his life betting that the murderer will try to TAKE his life at the end. If he didn't take the bait? Columbo would have been killed, I will not say how. People need to watch it. However, you need a whole lot of "Suspension of Disbelief"
a winning newer Columbo
blanche-223 December 2005
When Columbo returned to television in the late '80s, the integrity of the original series was usually in place. The qualities that made Columbo tops were never more apparent than in "Columbo Goes to the Guillotine," with guest stars Anthony Andrews, Anthony Zerbe, and Karen Austin. Andrews plays a psychic being wooed by a government organization for his gifts, but of course, they want to see proof. He is connected with a psychic institute run by beautiful Karen Austin, who not only wants the credibility a win like this could give her institute, but Andrews himself. She is running tests and helping him cheat.
Enter Zerbe, a magician who makes his living debunking psychics. He is brought in by the government to administer special tests to Andrews. Turns out, he and Andrews knew each other once, long ago, in a third world prison, and when Zerbe saw his chance to get out, he did, leaving Andrews behind. There is a hint here of more than just a prison friendship - in the hands of two excellent actors like Zerbe and Andrews, they have etched these characters and their relationship with a lot of layers. Andrews plays the card of their old friendship to get Zerbe to give him elaborate tests that are carried out by trickery, and then sanction him as real to the government. This accomplished, Andrews plays the revenge card for what Zerbe did by abandoning him years ago and, in a remarkable scene, gets rid of him. It's brilliantly done as the murder is never shown, but it makes you sick anyway.
It's up to Columbo to debunk the psychic and reveal him for what he really is, a cold-blooded killer. Watch Columbo figure out the tests, with the help of a boy who is a magic aficionado, and be prepared to be caught up in the scenario and feel like you've just seen a pretty great magic show. One of the truly great Columbos.
Enter Zerbe, a magician who makes his living debunking psychics. He is brought in by the government to administer special tests to Andrews. Turns out, he and Andrews knew each other once, long ago, in a third world prison, and when Zerbe saw his chance to get out, he did, leaving Andrews behind. There is a hint here of more than just a prison friendship - in the hands of two excellent actors like Zerbe and Andrews, they have etched these characters and their relationship with a lot of layers. Andrews plays the card of their old friendship to get Zerbe to give him elaborate tests that are carried out by trickery, and then sanction him as real to the government. This accomplished, Andrews plays the revenge card for what Zerbe did by abandoning him years ago and, in a remarkable scene, gets rid of him. It's brilliantly done as the murder is never shown, but it makes you sick anyway.
It's up to Columbo to debunk the psychic and reveal him for what he really is, a cold-blooded killer. Watch Columbo figure out the tests, with the help of a boy who is a magic aficionado, and be prepared to be caught up in the scenario and feel like you've just seen a pretty great magic show. One of the truly great Columbos.
I like almost all of the Columbos, but?
gene-0720217 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Columbo bets his life that the murderer will take a specific opportunity to take him out. However, IF, the murderer decides to just tough it all out and NOT kill Columbo? Columbo would die because the labels have been switched. Suspension of disbelief is taken to the extreme in this episode. Ridiculous. Otherwise very enjoyable!
Brilliant.!!!!
ddp_dave17 February 2019
In Harm's Way
bkoganbing1 January 2017
After a hiatus of over a decade Peter Falk returns as the dogged and persistent homicide detective Columbo of the LAPD. As usual he's got himself a suspect who thinks he's a cut or two above the hoi ploi.
Anthony Zerbe is our victim here and he's a magician in the tradition of Harry Houdini. And as history has taught us one of Houdini's sidelines was the exposure of psychics whom he thought were all a gang of frauds.
Zerbe knows that Anthony Andrews is a fraud and he's got some personal knowledge of that because they have some history together. Zerbe by the way is no saint either.
Zerbe is done in by one of his magician's props, a guillotine he uses in his act that proves to be all too real.
One thing about this episode, like in a few others Columbo doesn't have much of a case, he just hopes the suspect trips himself up. Andrews does in fact, but Peter Falk puts himself in harm's way to do it.
But of course he gets his man.
Anthony Zerbe is our victim here and he's a magician in the tradition of Harry Houdini. And as history has taught us one of Houdini's sidelines was the exposure of psychics whom he thought were all a gang of frauds.
Zerbe knows that Anthony Andrews is a fraud and he's got some personal knowledge of that because they have some history together. Zerbe by the way is no saint either.
Zerbe is done in by one of his magician's props, a guillotine he uses in his act that proves to be all too real.
One thing about this episode, like in a few others Columbo doesn't have much of a case, he just hopes the suspect trips himself up. Andrews does in fact, but Peter Falk puts himself in harm's way to do it.
But of course he gets his man.
Last one viewed
harpyrec-1539126 April 2022
Out of all of the episodes of Columbo,this was the only one I had never seen.
I avoided it.
The entire subject revolted me and I assumed it was as a couple of other later episodes where the show had become far from what it had been in the first four seasons.
It was brilliant as was the character.
But times had changed.
The subjects and acting had gone out of it a bit.
Not so in this one.
I was wrong.
After seeing it through,I can say the way it looks is not as it is.
Peter did a fine performance and it is worth your time.
It could have been done in the early years of the show.
I avoided it.
The entire subject revolted me and I assumed it was as a couple of other later episodes where the show had become far from what it had been in the first four seasons.
It was brilliant as was the character.
But times had changed.
The subjects and acting had gone out of it a bit.
Not so in this one.
I was wrong.
After seeing it through,I can say the way it looks is not as it is.
Peter did a fine performance and it is worth your time.
It could have been done in the early years of the show.
Columbo makes his return after 11 years.
Boba_Fett113822 October 2008
11 years after the last Columbo movie "Columbo: The Conspirators", Peter Falk returns as the scruffy looking famous Los Angeles police lieutenant. He could had made a far worse comeback, for "Columbo: Columbo Goes to the Guillotine" is simply a solid and well made Columbo movie entry.
For this project they safely picked director Leo Penn, who had already directed the solid Columbo movie "Columbo: Any Old Port in a Storm", 16 years earlier. He provides the movie with a steady and pleasant pace, using lots of cuts and dynamic camera-work. I have to say this is really one of the more stylish looking Columbo movies, as if they had more money to spend this time and more time to put in details and make things look more perfect. It probably was also true, since they of course had to ensure that Columbo would be picked up again by the viewers and it all had to be as good and successful again as the 'old' Columbo movies.
Even though it takes a long while for the murder to occur (it occurs after 24 minutes into the movie) and therefore also takes a long while for Lt. Columbo to make his grand entrance, it still is a movie that will keep you interested throughout, due to its nice written and compelling story, even though it sort of 'borrows' at times from the previous Columbo movie "Columbo: Now You See Him ", from 1976.
Anthony Andrews is perfectly cast and he really suits his role well as the movie its murderer. One thing that is very typical for the 'newer', post-'70's Columbo movies is that they mostly feature unknown actors as the movie its 'villains' opposite Lt. Columbo, unlike the 'older' Columbo movies, which always featured some big stars from movie, TV and even from the musical world in it, as the movie its killer. This new approach for the later Columbo movies, with casting mostly unknown actors in the important roles, doesn't always work out as well as it does in this movie though.
Unfortunalty the movie sleeps in a bit in the movie its second halve. Some of the sequences go on for too long and could had made their point much earlier. Seems to me they just HAD to fill around 90 minutes. A bit of a shame, since if this movie entirely would had been more like it's first halve, this movie could had really been among the best Columbo movies out of the long running successful series. The movie tends to get better toward the ending again but its ruined by a more slightly weak ending.
Overall a nice comeback from the good old lieutenant and on par with most other quality Columbo movies.
7/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
For this project they safely picked director Leo Penn, who had already directed the solid Columbo movie "Columbo: Any Old Port in a Storm", 16 years earlier. He provides the movie with a steady and pleasant pace, using lots of cuts and dynamic camera-work. I have to say this is really one of the more stylish looking Columbo movies, as if they had more money to spend this time and more time to put in details and make things look more perfect. It probably was also true, since they of course had to ensure that Columbo would be picked up again by the viewers and it all had to be as good and successful again as the 'old' Columbo movies.
Even though it takes a long while for the murder to occur (it occurs after 24 minutes into the movie) and therefore also takes a long while for Lt. Columbo to make his grand entrance, it still is a movie that will keep you interested throughout, due to its nice written and compelling story, even though it sort of 'borrows' at times from the previous Columbo movie "Columbo: Now You See Him ", from 1976.
Anthony Andrews is perfectly cast and he really suits his role well as the movie its murderer. One thing that is very typical for the 'newer', post-'70's Columbo movies is that they mostly feature unknown actors as the movie its 'villains' opposite Lt. Columbo, unlike the 'older' Columbo movies, which always featured some big stars from movie, TV and even from the musical world in it, as the movie its killer. This new approach for the later Columbo movies, with casting mostly unknown actors in the important roles, doesn't always work out as well as it does in this movie though.
Unfortunalty the movie sleeps in a bit in the movie its second halve. Some of the sequences go on for too long and could had made their point much earlier. Seems to me they just HAD to fill around 90 minutes. A bit of a shame, since if this movie entirely would had been more like it's first halve, this movie could had really been among the best Columbo movies out of the long running successful series. The movie tends to get better toward the ending again but its ruined by a more slightly weak ending.
Overall a nice comeback from the good old lieutenant and on par with most other quality Columbo movies.
7/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
He Doesn't Change Much
Hitchcoc21 April 2024
I saw this when it first aired and it was quite memorable. That Guillotine device was really clever. Unlike Jack Cassidy, this illusionist really had unique, fresh tricks. We start with a guy who claims to be psychic. He wants a job in that capacity with the government (probably interpreting signals from foreign danger zones. He uses a trick to gain their confidence. His mistake is he has allied himself with a man with whom he was in prison. We come t realize that the guy betrayed our guy and revenge comes into the picture. I liked how Columbo employed trickery to get his man. There is an interesting young magician who helps him weave his plot.
Season 8, episode 1. A pleasant return.
punishmentpark6 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The first Columbo after a pretty long hiatus, and the '80s are almost over, even. Inspector Frank Columbo has aged, and it shows, but not all too much. He has become a lot more agreeable and subtle in his manner, but that's just my observation.
The first episode starts out with a pretty long intro, with quite a few twists and turns. Anthony Andrews and Alan Fudge play well enough, and Andrews gets to do the whole show - a good choice; he may seem rather fragile, but he can dish it out with verve.
The part with the 'distant viewing' is interesting (something the military have actually dabbled with, apparently), but the repeating act with Columbo and the kid seemed a bit too much. Maybe they wanted to give the kid (Michael Bacall, if I'm not mistaken) a career boost?
The case itself is nicely put together, as usual, even if it, as usual, seems a little far-fetched. But it's a TV-show, with the emphasis on show, and it's all quite entertaining.
ll in all, a pleasant return of the L.A. trench-coat detective. 7 out of 10.
The first episode starts out with a pretty long intro, with quite a few twists and turns. Anthony Andrews and Alan Fudge play well enough, and Andrews gets to do the whole show - a good choice; he may seem rather fragile, but he can dish it out with verve.
The part with the 'distant viewing' is interesting (something the military have actually dabbled with, apparently), but the repeating act with Columbo and the kid seemed a bit too much. Maybe they wanted to give the kid (Michael Bacall, if I'm not mistaken) a career boost?
The case itself is nicely put together, as usual, even if it, as usual, seems a little far-fetched. But it's a TV-show, with the emphasis on show, and it's all quite entertaining.
ll in all, a pleasant return of the L.A. trench-coat detective. 7 out of 10.
Unimpressed.
busman192917 April 2021
When you talk about Columbo, I am there as his top fan of the originals of the 70's.
I was very excited to learn that New Columbo shows were on the way.
The moment this aired I was all ready for it.
What was originally excitement slowly turned to "are you kidding me".
What looked promising in the beginning of this episode later slowly became a What the heck moment. I couldn't have dislike the villain any more then I could have.
There were a few characters in this episode that were just plain annoying.
This episode just seemed to drag on and on and on.
The final scene was all I could stand...NO WAY would a clear thinking Columbo put himself in that situation, and for that all boos go to the writers.
This episode so repetitive. Once it ended I swore I would never watch this episode again.
I was very excited to learn that New Columbo shows were on the way.
The moment this aired I was all ready for it.
What was originally excitement slowly turned to "are you kidding me".
What looked promising in the beginning of this episode later slowly became a What the heck moment. I couldn't have dislike the villain any more then I could have.
There were a few characters in this episode that were just plain annoying.
This episode just seemed to drag on and on and on.
The final scene was all I could stand...NO WAY would a clear thinking Columbo put himself in that situation, and for that all boos go to the writers.
This episode so repetitive. Once it ended I swore I would never watch this episode again.
Not the classic series but does enough to entertain fans by sticking near formula
bob the moo9 January 2006
Elliot Blake is a well-known psychic who is working to prove his skills to the US Government so he can enter the lucrative and highly secretive programme for developing psychic powers. Despite having blitzed the tests (with a little help from the inside) the game appears up when magician and renowned cynic Max Dyson is brought in by the Government to give him a harder test. What the Government agents don't know is that the men have a history and Dyson helps Blake by passing him despite him being a fake. However this history also drives Blake to kill Dyson in the latter's own magic guillotine making it look like a tragic accident. It appears an open and shut case of death by misadventure but a Philips head screwdriver is enough to put doubt in Columbo's mind. Finding that Dyson had just worked with Blake and signed him off as genuine, Columbo turns to his unique talent to assist him with the case.
As with many TV film series (such as Perry Mason), if you like one or two of them then you'll pretty much like them all. This entry in the Columbo series pretty much follows the usual formula we know the killer and the "perfect" plan but then watch Columbo follow his hunch and gradually starts to pick holes in the story he is told before eventually finding enough to prove his suspicions. Knowing this ahead of time won't ruin anything for you; it is simply what happens in all the films. With this strict adherence to formula it is usually down to several factors whether or not the Columbo film stands out or if it is just average. The new Columbo films don't always pull this trick off but this one is enjoyable enough thanks to sticking close to the formula to cover up for the unlikely nature of the plot. Although it provides some nice ideas, the narrative lacks a real lack of convincing development and this at times put me off but generally it had enough about it to keep me interested.
The way Columbo solves the mystery isn't a nice, logical story but moves in jumps and sudden discoveries; again it is entertaining enough but not quite as satisfying where he picks at smaller details. The magical aspect of the story has been done better earlier in the series but it still works well here, providing Columbo with some nice scenes where he turns the tricks on Elliott to get his man. It isn't classic fare but it should satisfy fans. Falk is on good form, which helps, and he does enjoy a nice chemistry with Andrews. The latter is not great but he is good enough to work within the formula and make for an interesting target for Columbo. Support from Zerbe is good but other than him nobody else is really that memorable.
Overall this is not up to the standard of the better Columbo episodes from the 1970's but it is actually reasonably good. By sticking to formula it covers up the plot weaknesses and will do enough to satisfy fans of the film. A much better alternative would be "Columbo: Now You See Him" but failing a return to the best days this is an OK modern Columbo.
As with many TV film series (such as Perry Mason), if you like one or two of them then you'll pretty much like them all. This entry in the Columbo series pretty much follows the usual formula we know the killer and the "perfect" plan but then watch Columbo follow his hunch and gradually starts to pick holes in the story he is told before eventually finding enough to prove his suspicions. Knowing this ahead of time won't ruin anything for you; it is simply what happens in all the films. With this strict adherence to formula it is usually down to several factors whether or not the Columbo film stands out or if it is just average. The new Columbo films don't always pull this trick off but this one is enjoyable enough thanks to sticking close to the formula to cover up for the unlikely nature of the plot. Although it provides some nice ideas, the narrative lacks a real lack of convincing development and this at times put me off but generally it had enough about it to keep me interested.
The way Columbo solves the mystery isn't a nice, logical story but moves in jumps and sudden discoveries; again it is entertaining enough but not quite as satisfying where he picks at smaller details. The magical aspect of the story has been done better earlier in the series but it still works well here, providing Columbo with some nice scenes where he turns the tricks on Elliott to get his man. It isn't classic fare but it should satisfy fans. Falk is on good form, which helps, and he does enjoy a nice chemistry with Andrews. The latter is not great but he is good enough to work within the formula and make for an interesting target for Columbo. Support from Zerbe is good but other than him nobody else is really that memorable.
Overall this is not up to the standard of the better Columbo episodes from the 1970's but it is actually reasonably good. By sticking to formula it covers up the plot weaknesses and will do enough to satisfy fans of the film. A much better alternative would be "Columbo: Now You See Him" but failing a return to the best days this is an OK modern Columbo.
It's Magic....
rmax3048238 September 2010
Warning: Spoilers
This was the first entry in the later series, eleven years after the previous close, when somebody, probably an MBA, figured out that there might still be a nickel left in the program if it were resurrected. Lo, Columbo, come forth! It's not quite the same Columbo though. During his salad days the character was smart as a whip and his intuition was fulgurating. His speech came at a normal velocity. In this later series, he's more rumpled than ever, clothing and character alike. He seems always to be smiling, and he speaks slowly and clearly, as if addressing an elementary school class.
I liked the earlier Columbo much better. When Columbo I was supposed to be embarrassed, he acted convincingly embarrassed. I mean, really flustered. The later Columbo can't, or won't, do that. When he apologizes for some gaffe, he seems to be enacting the role of a man who is supposed to be embarrassed.
The stories tended to be not so tightly wound either -- if the earlier plots with their multitude of holes can be said to be tightly wound. And the caliber of the guest stars declined as well. Instead of Janet Leigh or John Cassavetes, we tend to get Robert Foxworth or, as here, Anthony Andrews, a weak British actor who needs exactly the right role and who doesn't get it here. That's important because the episodes depended a great deal on their murderers.
Anyway, there is an old rivalry between Andrews, who pretends to be a psychic, and his mentor, Anthony Zerbe, who is intent on exposing him as a fake. Andrews manages to get Zerbe's head into one of those magic guillotines and chop it off. Columbo shambles about, poking into things, bumping into strange people, and unravels the plot by the most unlikely means.
One thing, though. The set ups that precede Columbo's entrance are usually pretty dumb, so much so that sometimes they're practically dispensed with -- as in that episode with the "Ding-a-Ling Ice Cream" truck. (I'm too lazy to look up the title, but the villain is Robert Culp.) Here, the set up is rather extended, bonded with later events, and interesting in itself.
It's not a bad episode, superior to most of those that would follow. I enjoy watching it but I'm sorry they gave it another try. The initial series was so entertaining that this strictly commercial adventure seems undignified, even insulting.
I liked the earlier Columbo much better. When Columbo I was supposed to be embarrassed, he acted convincingly embarrassed. I mean, really flustered. The later Columbo can't, or won't, do that. When he apologizes for some gaffe, he seems to be enacting the role of a man who is supposed to be embarrassed.
The stories tended to be not so tightly wound either -- if the earlier plots with their multitude of holes can be said to be tightly wound. And the caliber of the guest stars declined as well. Instead of Janet Leigh or John Cassavetes, we tend to get Robert Foxworth or, as here, Anthony Andrews, a weak British actor who needs exactly the right role and who doesn't get it here. That's important because the episodes depended a great deal on their murderers.
Anyway, there is an old rivalry between Andrews, who pretends to be a psychic, and his mentor, Anthony Zerbe, who is intent on exposing him as a fake. Andrews manages to get Zerbe's head into one of those magic guillotines and chop it off. Columbo shambles about, poking into things, bumping into strange people, and unravels the plot by the most unlikely means.
One thing, though. The set ups that precede Columbo's entrance are usually pretty dumb, so much so that sometimes they're practically dispensed with -- as in that episode with the "Ding-a-Ling Ice Cream" truck. (I'm too lazy to look up the title, but the villain is Robert Culp.) Here, the set up is rather extended, bonded with later events, and interesting in itself.
It's not a bad episode, superior to most of those that would follow. I enjoy watching it but I'm sorry they gave it another try. The initial series was so entertaining that this strictly commercial adventure seems undignified, even insulting.
The Return of the Police Detective Called Columbo
chashans7 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
After 11 years, Peter Falk returns as Columbo. And Leo Penn returns to direct his second "Columbo" episode in a row. Yes, 11 years had obviously passed for Penn as well, but he had directed the final NBC episode and now here he directs the first ABC episode. There is good reason why I make mention of this episode's Director...
...Because there are some truly wonderful moments of direction in this episode. The first is a terrific transition from the Psychic Proving Institute Room to Max Dyson's Magician's Lair. The last shot in the Institution is a close-up of Blake's drawing of a bridge. Two pillars and a roadway high above, disolves, giving way to the two "pillars" of Dyson's guillotine and the deadly blade above. Terrific!
The next beautiful moment is Columbo's arrival at the location of the murder. The shot is of his French Peugeot automobile approaching on a mist-drenched city street. It's headlights cut through the heavy fog as the car comes to a stop. Then the darkened interior becomes alit via a struck match tending to the end of a cigar dangling from our hero's lips. Lovely!
Then there's the shot of a bucket catching blood splatter from above. We get a shot of Columbo's curious face as his downward angled eyes move upwards. Then the shot is of the rather sickening sight above. A large circle of red soaks the bubbling, dripping ceiling. Gross!
There are other nice examples of great direction, yet some scenes do unfortunately drag. Columbo's scene of psychic abilities goes on a bit too long. It's also somewhat puzzling as to why a Judge would give an order that Blake not be allowed to fly off to oblivion with the CIA man. At that point, Columbo has no proof of Blake's guilt and indeed never does. Columbo had nothing with which to make an impression on a Judge to invoke a Stay Of Flight. So to speak.
Viewers sometimes wonder what it is that sets Columbo on the trail of the actual murderer. This episode can be taken for one of those times. In previous episodes, Columbo has made mention of finding it curious when someone, be it victim or possible murderer, who does something "out of the norm" for the very first time. Here, Columbo latches on to the fact that the victim had, for the very first time, discovered a Mentalist who was "for real". This, of course, linked the victim to that very Mentalist. Very suspicious!
An interesting aside here, is that although 11 years had passed since the previous set of "Columbo" movies, the production still found it better to merely "allude" to a gay relationship between Blake and Dyson. That would have occurred during their time together in a shared prison cell. "Merely alluding" to gay relationships had been the furthest attempted extreme in two "Columbo" movies in the last year of the NBC episodes. "Make Me A Perfect Murder" had a gay subtext between it's female murderer and the has-been TV Variety Show star, Valerie. "You can keep the key to my place" is spoken from one to the other during a caring hug. In "The Conspirators" (the last NBC "Columbo") poet Joe Devlin enjoys the company of a starry-eyed young man. Devlin's co-conspirator, Mr. Connolley, questions the young man's continuous presence, demanding that Devlin send him back to his job at the Connolley Brickyard. Devlin will have none of it. The concluding thought here, is that even with the passage of 11 years time, the producers and the network still questioned the acceptance of outright gay characters by what one would have hoped would now be a much more enlightened viewing audience.
Mention must also be made of Columbo's truly reckless means of securing a confession by the murderer. After outright informing his suspect that he has no concrete evidence with which to prove guilt, Columbo trusts his suspect to "do the wrong thing" and make an attempt on Columbo's life. Columbo also trusts the suspect to make his confession at the same time. Of course, the script requires the murderer to do just that. It would have been much more satisfying had Columbo announced afterward, that the blade had been rigged to "not slice" regardless of the "safety" being on or off.
The vast majority of this Columbo outing is top-notch. The guest cast is very good, led by the two Anthonys, Andrews and Zerbe. Peter Falk is, rather needless to say, incredibly amazing in his performance. Just watch Falk's acting in the scene in which Columbo pretends to act awestruck with Mentalist Blake's "feeling" of the miserably depressed Lair.
A most welcome return by our raincoat wearing, cigar-smoking, pile-of-junk-driving, absolutely brilliant murderer-arresting hero.
...Because there are some truly wonderful moments of direction in this episode. The first is a terrific transition from the Psychic Proving Institute Room to Max Dyson's Magician's Lair. The last shot in the Institution is a close-up of Blake's drawing of a bridge. Two pillars and a roadway high above, disolves, giving way to the two "pillars" of Dyson's guillotine and the deadly blade above. Terrific!
The next beautiful moment is Columbo's arrival at the location of the murder. The shot is of his French Peugeot automobile approaching on a mist-drenched city street. It's headlights cut through the heavy fog as the car comes to a stop. Then the darkened interior becomes alit via a struck match tending to the end of a cigar dangling from our hero's lips. Lovely!
Then there's the shot of a bucket catching blood splatter from above. We get a shot of Columbo's curious face as his downward angled eyes move upwards. Then the shot is of the rather sickening sight above. A large circle of red soaks the bubbling, dripping ceiling. Gross!
There are other nice examples of great direction, yet some scenes do unfortunately drag. Columbo's scene of psychic abilities goes on a bit too long. It's also somewhat puzzling as to why a Judge would give an order that Blake not be allowed to fly off to oblivion with the CIA man. At that point, Columbo has no proof of Blake's guilt and indeed never does. Columbo had nothing with which to make an impression on a Judge to invoke a Stay Of Flight. So to speak.
Viewers sometimes wonder what it is that sets Columbo on the trail of the actual murderer. This episode can be taken for one of those times. In previous episodes, Columbo has made mention of finding it curious when someone, be it victim or possible murderer, who does something "out of the norm" for the very first time. Here, Columbo latches on to the fact that the victim had, for the very first time, discovered a Mentalist who was "for real". This, of course, linked the victim to that very Mentalist. Very suspicious!
An interesting aside here, is that although 11 years had passed since the previous set of "Columbo" movies, the production still found it better to merely "allude" to a gay relationship between Blake and Dyson. That would have occurred during their time together in a shared prison cell. "Merely alluding" to gay relationships had been the furthest attempted extreme in two "Columbo" movies in the last year of the NBC episodes. "Make Me A Perfect Murder" had a gay subtext between it's female murderer and the has-been TV Variety Show star, Valerie. "You can keep the key to my place" is spoken from one to the other during a caring hug. In "The Conspirators" (the last NBC "Columbo") poet Joe Devlin enjoys the company of a starry-eyed young man. Devlin's co-conspirator, Mr. Connolley, questions the young man's continuous presence, demanding that Devlin send him back to his job at the Connolley Brickyard. Devlin will have none of it. The concluding thought here, is that even with the passage of 11 years time, the producers and the network still questioned the acceptance of outright gay characters by what one would have hoped would now be a much more enlightened viewing audience.
Mention must also be made of Columbo's truly reckless means of securing a confession by the murderer. After outright informing his suspect that he has no concrete evidence with which to prove guilt, Columbo trusts his suspect to "do the wrong thing" and make an attempt on Columbo's life. Columbo also trusts the suspect to make his confession at the same time. Of course, the script requires the murderer to do just that. It would have been much more satisfying had Columbo announced afterward, that the blade had been rigged to "not slice" regardless of the "safety" being on or off.
The vast majority of this Columbo outing is top-notch. The guest cast is very good, led by the two Anthonys, Andrews and Zerbe. Peter Falk is, rather needless to say, incredibly amazing in his performance. Just watch Falk's acting in the scene in which Columbo pretends to act awestruck with Mentalist Blake's "feeling" of the miserably depressed Lair.
A most welcome return by our raincoat wearing, cigar-smoking, pile-of-junk-driving, absolutely brilliant murderer-arresting hero.
A decent effort, could have used a better villain
zmartever13 March 2014
I was excited to see the Columbo episodes that were made in the late '80s and beyond, mainly because i really haven't seen most of them, unlike the original series, where i have seen (and loved) them all. This episode, the first after a decade long break, starts off promising.I wish they had used a bigger star as the villain because that was always part of the fun, as villains go the guy in this episode is a bit lackluster for me. Actually, they should have used the guy who ended up playing the magician as the villain....much better actor and more menacing by far than the guy that ended up the villain. Another gripe is the music....its pretty dreadful. Like something from "murder she wrote", no disrespect.
Now for the good part.....Peter Falk is just priceless.....he may be a bit older and not quite as sharp but as clever as always. Considering he was in his 60's here, he still pulls it off well. Looking forward to watching all of the newer episodes.... Best moment : columbo making awed facial expressions as the phony psychic scans the crimescene for clues. I was laughing out loud.
Now for the good part.....Peter Falk is just priceless.....he may be a bit older and not quite as sharp but as clever as always. Considering he was in his 60's here, he still pulls it off well. Looking forward to watching all of the newer episodes.... Best moment : columbo making awed facial expressions as the phony psychic scans the crimescene for clues. I was laughing out loud.
Great start to revivified Columbo
aramis-112-80488021 February 2023
An episode featuring Anthony Andrews, Anthony Zerbe and Peter Falk is an acting clinic.
Andrews plays a jealous phony psychic whose career Zerbe is trying to undermine. Unfortunately, that means Zerbe doesn't appear for long.
The rest of the episode is cat-and-mouse between Falk and Andrews. Andrews is a wonderful actor if kept on a leash. Anyone who caught his Mercutio in The Shakespeare Plays knows he can get out of hand.
The military psychic clinic here looks like something out of "The Prisoner." One wonders if tax dollars are really being wasted like this. Fortunately, the "enemy" is the USSR and this episode aired very shortly before the collapse of the Iron Curtain and only a couple of years before the USSR crumbled trying to play catch-up in the SDI race.
Do I believe in psychics? Well, as the fellow said, to disprove all giraffes have long necks, I don't have to see all giraffes; just one without a long neck.
Columbo restarts with a superb episode, if a bit bloodier than we were accustomed to on the old days.
Andrews plays a jealous phony psychic whose career Zerbe is trying to undermine. Unfortunately, that means Zerbe doesn't appear for long.
The rest of the episode is cat-and-mouse between Falk and Andrews. Andrews is a wonderful actor if kept on a leash. Anyone who caught his Mercutio in The Shakespeare Plays knows he can get out of hand.
The military psychic clinic here looks like something out of "The Prisoner." One wonders if tax dollars are really being wasted like this. Fortunately, the "enemy" is the USSR and this episode aired very shortly before the collapse of the Iron Curtain and only a couple of years before the USSR crumbled trying to play catch-up in the SDI race.
Do I believe in psychics? Well, as the fellow said, to disprove all giraffes have long necks, I don't have to see all giraffes; just one without a long neck.
Columbo restarts with a superb episode, if a bit bloodier than we were accustomed to on the old days.
Good enough but... Oh, come on!
muratmihcioglu10 November 2023
Not bad as a TV movie and pretty much in tune with the classical Columbo of 70s. But this one has a few annoying defects, I must say.
1. Was that long setup really necessary? Couldn't we simply learn of the shared past of the duo and how the younger one was scamming the military in 10 minutes instead of the 20 or 30 that began to look like a lifetime? I'm all for long openings, but as long as they serve their purpose perfectly. There was some dead weight on the first act of this one. (catch that pun!)
2. How exactly did Columbo "catch" the killer this time? I mean, okay, he somewhat confessed but... Was there really any hard evidence? Or even a soft one? The ending suggested that Columbo was gonna book him for the attempted murder against himself only. How will THAT hold in court?!? No witnesses, nothing solid... This killer will walk! And... Given he is okay with murdering Columbo (not the crime in investigation, but another one that is, by the way) WHY wouldn't he do it right now, given the lieutenant is all by himself, totally unprotected against a much younger and taller man?
3. The trick done during the test... Are military officials so dumb they would fall for it? Not bad, but the overcomplication with the process whould be a giveaway for the people funding that paranormal study. Given Columbo solved it thanks to help from a 13 year old kid, especially.
4. I get the entertainment value with the name "Columbo Goes to the Guillotine" and the suspense of seeing our beloved detective in that position. But, FFS, please, NO! This is SO FAR from being credible! Has Columbo gone INSANE? Will he really be risking his own life? Gambling on which side the killer would place the collar piece? "Safe" will behead him, the other side will be harmless. That's Russian roulette! What if the guy WAS guilty BUT didn't want to behead Columbo? I mean... Really, really dumb!... This could happen only if Columbo was tired of his wife and life and willing to actually commit suicide by the hands of a murderer. I could be on board with that final scene if we were shown that the collar piece was fixed in such a way that Columbo would be at no risk, and that other officially assigned people could be there to catch the confession of the killer, but no... You can't end a Columbo episode so abruptly, detached from the very basics of his modus operandi and certain legislative facts.
I won't say it's bad TV overall, but it certainly is some missed chance in comparison to that other, classical episode involving magic, guest starring Jack Cassidy.
1. Was that long setup really necessary? Couldn't we simply learn of the shared past of the duo and how the younger one was scamming the military in 10 minutes instead of the 20 or 30 that began to look like a lifetime? I'm all for long openings, but as long as they serve their purpose perfectly. There was some dead weight on the first act of this one. (catch that pun!)
2. How exactly did Columbo "catch" the killer this time? I mean, okay, he somewhat confessed but... Was there really any hard evidence? Or even a soft one? The ending suggested that Columbo was gonna book him for the attempted murder against himself only. How will THAT hold in court?!? No witnesses, nothing solid... This killer will walk! And... Given he is okay with murdering Columbo (not the crime in investigation, but another one that is, by the way) WHY wouldn't he do it right now, given the lieutenant is all by himself, totally unprotected against a much younger and taller man?
3. The trick done during the test... Are military officials so dumb they would fall for it? Not bad, but the overcomplication with the process whould be a giveaway for the people funding that paranormal study. Given Columbo solved it thanks to help from a 13 year old kid, especially.
4. I get the entertainment value with the name "Columbo Goes to the Guillotine" and the suspense of seeing our beloved detective in that position. But, FFS, please, NO! This is SO FAR from being credible! Has Columbo gone INSANE? Will he really be risking his own life? Gambling on which side the killer would place the collar piece? "Safe" will behead him, the other side will be harmless. That's Russian roulette! What if the guy WAS guilty BUT didn't want to behead Columbo? I mean... Really, really dumb!... This could happen only if Columbo was tired of his wife and life and willing to actually commit suicide by the hands of a murderer. I could be on board with that final scene if we were shown that the collar piece was fixed in such a way that Columbo would be at no risk, and that other officially assigned people could be there to catch the confession of the killer, but no... You can't end a Columbo episode so abruptly, detached from the very basics of his modus operandi and certain legislative facts.
I won't say it's bad TV overall, but it certainly is some missed chance in comparison to that other, classical episode involving magic, guest starring Jack Cassidy.
Psychic case
armansyal15 August 2022
Lost potential
scottwilliam-1110717 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I love 1970's Columbo. And I can assure you that 1970's Columbo would NOT have risked his life by allowing himself to be put into a guillotine. I say lost potential because it was one of the better later episodes if not for those ridiculous guillotine scenes.
Columbo Goes to the Guillotine
Prismark1021 January 2018
When Columbo returned after some years away with an older greyer Peter Falk, the movies always looked a bit cheap as it were converted to videotape for international broadcast.
In Columbo Goes to the Guillotine, Anthony Andrews plays a fake psychic in order to work on valuable military contracts. Anthony Zerbe plays a magician who exposes psychics. However both have a history together as Zerbe was Andrews mentor and both spent time in an Ugandan prison.
It seems Zerbe for friendship's sake allows Andrews to pass the tests he has cooked up. Later Zerbe ends up decapitated as Andrews blames him for betraying him in Uganda.
It takes a while before Columbo shows up and I did think the episode dragged on a bit. The cat and mouse game between Andrews and Falk does not add up to much but getting the little kid to help Columbo with the conjuring was a nice touch.
In Columbo Goes to the Guillotine, Anthony Andrews plays a fake psychic in order to work on valuable military contracts. Anthony Zerbe plays a magician who exposes psychics. However both have a history together as Zerbe was Andrews mentor and both spent time in an Ugandan prison.
It seems Zerbe for friendship's sake allows Andrews to pass the tests he has cooked up. Later Zerbe ends up decapitated as Andrews blames him for betraying him in Uganda.
It takes a while before Columbo shows up and I did think the episode dragged on a bit. The cat and mouse game between Andrews and Falk does not add up to much but getting the little kid to help Columbo with the conjuring was a nice touch.
Decent episode, but why did Columbo suspect him in the first place?
reb-warrior25 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Kind of a gruesome killing. The set-up took about 20-25 minutes into the episode. Which is fine by me. The setup for the episode was actually good.
The path of clues were easy to follow tho there weren't that many. Columbo's view that the death wasn't an accident or suicide made sense. Anthony Andrews was really good with some of his reactions.
But why did Columbo suspect Elliot in the first place? I didn't really see anything that would lead him to zero in on the guy. He met him. Elliot did a mind-reading thing, which Columbo was able to figure out later. That doesn't seem suspicious enough to me to zero in on him. He did find out that Max for the first time wasn't able to prove a hoax only the day before at the foundation. However, that leaves not only Elliot as a suspect, but Paula, and even the military people.
Max and Elliot appeared to have been lovers in that prison. Nothing specific is said, but that is what I inferred, especially when Max said how much they meant to each other.
Loved Columbo demonstrating how the hoax was done.
There's no way I would have laid down on the guillotine even if I knew the thing was safe. Lol.
Anyway, decent episode and interesting to see the hoax and then how that was done. 7/10.
The path of clues were easy to follow tho there weren't that many. Columbo's view that the death wasn't an accident or suicide made sense. Anthony Andrews was really good with some of his reactions.
But why did Columbo suspect Elliot in the first place? I didn't really see anything that would lead him to zero in on the guy. He met him. Elliot did a mind-reading thing, which Columbo was able to figure out later. That doesn't seem suspicious enough to me to zero in on him. He did find out that Max for the first time wasn't able to prove a hoax only the day before at the foundation. However, that leaves not only Elliot as a suspect, but Paula, and even the military people.
Max and Elliot appeared to have been lovers in that prison. Nothing specific is said, but that is what I inferred, especially when Max said how much they meant to each other.
Loved Columbo demonstrating how the hoax was done.
There's no way I would have laid down on the guillotine even if I knew the thing was safe. Lol.
Anyway, decent episode and interesting to see the hoax and then how that was done. 7/10.
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