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Columbo - Series 2 - Complete
RRP: £29.99
Our Price: £17.96 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Armchair sleuths, get out your trenchcoats: Universal has released the sophomore season (1972-73) of the classic detective series Columbo, starring Peter Falk as the sage but rumpled police lieutenant. As with the first season, there's plenty of star power in front of and behind the camera to abet Falk in these eight 90- and 120-minute episodes: John Cassavetes stars in the season premiere, Etude in Black, as a philandering symphony conductor, with Blythe Danner and Hollywood legend Myrna Loy in support; Oscar winner Ray Milland is a scheming orchid grower in "The Greenhouse Jungle," co-starring Bradford Dillman and William Smith; Robert Culp and Dean Stockwell are a football team manager and owner, respectively, whose disagreements blossom into murder in "The Most Crucial Game"; and Jeanette Nolan offers stellar comic relief in "Double Shock," which features Martin Landau as identical twins--one of whom has murdered their uncle. Performances by Richard Basehart, Laurence Harvey, Leonard Nimoy, Anne Francis, Anne Baxter, and Mel Ferrer also highlight the season; direction by small-screen stalwarts like Boris Sagal, Jeremy Paul Kagan, and Nicholas Colasanto ("Coach" on Cheers) and scripts by Stephen Bochco also bring quality and style to the proceedings. Sadly, no extras are available in this five-disc set, but the stellar image and sound quality (and lack of commercials) should appeal to series fans and newcomers alike. --Paul Gaita
The episodes are syndication cuts
Review date: 2008-05-02 Rating: 6 out of 10
Beginning with Season 2, Universal began releasing syndication cut episodes as "complete and uncut" episodes. In the United States back in the 70's the Columbo episodes typically were aired in a 90 minute format; later on it was 120 minutes. Of those 90 minutes, 8 minutes were taken out for commercials. In syndication, and additional 8 minutes were cut for commercials; hence 74 minutes. In some episodes, characters are introduced as having been in the episode earlier...though you never see the initial introduction of the character. This gets worse with the later episodes in later sets that aired in 2 hour time slots. Be careful when you buy these. I contacted Universal and they refused to refund money. They also refused to admit that they had issued "cut and edited" episodes as "complete and uncut". I contacted the Federal officals in the States that are supposed to protect consumers against this kind of rip off. Nothing was done. Universal was defended. Even though I offered absolute proof of "cut" episodes, I cold not get an audience to listen to me. Buyer beware!
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Reviews
GENIUS
Review date: 2007-08-12 Rating: 10 out of 10
I FIND WATCHING COLUMBO VERY RELAXING - you do not have to work out who the killer is?
the genius of columbo is the pattern of every episode-
have you worked out yet that the killer is always RICH.
Formulaic, but highly enjoyable
Review date: 2005-10-26 Rating: 10 out of 10
Despite being a short, scruffy detective who drives an ancient Peugeot, Columbo always winds up investigating the rich, famous and glamorous. Then he pretends to be dumb, and humbled by their greatness. This leads the murderers to give away more than they should, which is ultimately their undoing.
Formulaic yes, but boring? Never. Most of this is down to Peter Falk, of course, who is eminently watchable. The denouement is something we all look forward to: that delicious moment when the murderer realises he is hoist with his own petard, as it were. Falk never disappoints throughout this second series.
The first series, I'm sure, had more episodes, but never mind. This comes in the same attractive packaging, and the DVD transfer is very good indeed, though variable across the discs. Perhaps the source material wasn't perfect in each case. The very first episode struck me as being particularly gorgeous to look at. But at least one later on looks muddy and washed out in places. Overall though, no complaints. The sound is good too.
I'm a bit disappointed to find there are, once again, no special features at all.
But for fans of Columbo, and of the period, this is well worth getting.
Just one little thing....
Review date: 2005-09-28 Rating: 8 out of 10
8 great episodes (74 minutes each). The only little drawback was the introduction to each episode - which for some reason showed a montage of scenes from the episode you are about to see. I couldn't see the point of this - it was pointless and a bit irritating, I didn't want my anticipation spoiled. They were hard to by-pass as well - I had to settle for closing my eyes while they were on!
Peter Falk - Genius
Review date: 2005-09-15 Rating: 10 out of 10
Season Two is when Columbo really starts to hit his stride. The opening season has its moments, but Lt Columbo isn't yet quite crumpled and disshevelled enough while his character is being developed. Now, his mannerisms are becoming more eccentric and therefore all the more watchable.
This series features (among others) John Cassavetes as the orchestra conductor, Martin Landau as the twins, Ray Milland as the greenhouse gardener and also Honor Blackman in a bizarre episode set in London (where Columbo is on holiday!). It's odd (and entertaining) to see him out of his usual California settings in that episode.
No extras, but 6 DVDs, ten hours of viewing and crisp picture quality make this an absolute must for Columbo fans, especially at this bargain price.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
John Cassavetes
Ray Milland
Leonard Nimoy
Peter Falk
Martin Landau
Recording label: Playback
Manufacturer: Playback
EAN: 5050582354997
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 6
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2005-07-18
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 373 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)