TotalTelly.co.uk
Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV
Columbo - Series 3 - Complete
RRP: £28.99
Our Price: £14.98 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Oh, just one more thing, mystery mavens--get ready to be mystified and entertained by the award-winning third season of Columbo, starring Peter Falk as the rumpled but unbeatable Lieutenant. Having taken home Emmys for outstanding limited drama and lead actor in its '71-'72 debut season, Columbo was again named best drama for its third season ('73-'74). The reason for the repeat success? The formula remained the same: intelligent, engaging scripts and direction, guest performances by top actors, and, of course, Falk at center stage as Columbo, the most unlikely of supersleuths, but unquestionably one of the sharpest (the role would later earn Falk three more Emmys between 1975 and 1990). The 10 episodes compiled in this two-disc set again feature top talent from film and television: directors include veterans Jeannot Swarc and Boris Sagal, as well as actors Nicholas Colasanto (better known as Coach from Cheers) and Ben Gazzara (Falk's frequent co-star in the films of John Cassavetes), while the season's scripts feature contributions from Stephen J. Cannell, Steven Bochco, and Larry Cohen. And in regard to co-stars, Falk matched wits with the likes of Donald Pleasance, Martin Sheen, Vincent Price, Robert Culp (in one of four turns on the series), Jose Ferrer, Ida Lupino, and in two novel but effective casting choices, Johnny Cash and hard-boiled mystery scribe Mickey Spillane. And there's even a bonus feature in the form of an episode of the spinoff series Mrs. Columbo, starring Kate Mulgrew as the Lieutenant's oft-mentioned better half. In short, it's 11 hours of solid sleuthing for armchair detectives. --Paul Gaita, Amazon.com
Disc 3 Is the Same As Disc 2
Review date: 2008-05-24 Rating: 6 out of 10
I'm a great Columbo Fan and had no problem with Box Sets 1 and 2 but was surprised to find that Disc 3 of the box set shipped to me is the same as Disc 2. Although it clearly states on the disc that it is Disc 3, when played it is definetly Disc 2.
I've informed the distributor of this error.
Similar Products
- Columbo - Series 4 - Complete
- Columbo - Series 2 - Complete
- Columbo - Series 5 - Complete [1975]
- Columbo - Series 6-7 - Complete
- Columbo - The Complete First Season
Reviews
Missing titles
Review date: 2006-10-26 Rating: 10 out of 10
As an old fan of the whole Columbo series, I have one grouse: why can we not have a list of the titles on each disk? A list of the series and the titles on each disk would be an enormous help. It is frustrating to order a disk in a series and find it contains all the episodes you have already, and none of the ones you hoped to get.
Peter Falk - Genius
Review date: 2006-08-29 Rating: 10 out of 10
Season 3 is possibly the best of the lot, with Lt. Columbo on peak form, giving immensely watchable performances which combine humour with perceptiveness, and up against some of the most memorable villains. My personal favourite of all Columbos is here - 'Any Old Port in a Storm', which stars Donald Pleasence who gives a masterfully complex performance as the wine enthusiast who kills his younger brother to protect the family winemaking business. This is one of the occasional films in which Columbo does seem to regret catching the killer, whom he has (as he often does) befriended. This episode has a generally melancholic and highly atmospheric feel.
Also on season 3 are a galaxy of other guest stars - Martin Sheen and Vincent Price in a battle of cosmetics empires which of course ends up in murder, Jose Ferrer in a bizarre episode involving scientists and robots in a think-tank, and, best of all, Johnny Cash playing.... a country music star. This last episode is completely brilliant.
It's simple, really - if you are a fan of Columbo or even just if you have fond memories of watching him occasionally, then this is the DVD set to get. It's also great value, as you are effectively getting eight film length programmes, and the quality throughout is consistently excellent.
Buy it now!
just one thing...
Review date: 2006-02-02 Rating: 8 out of 10
The series itself is great, but it was a great disappointment to find no subtitles on this collection. I've been buying these for a friend who's hearing-impaired and this box set was useless to her. They included subtitles on series 1 and 2, why not here? Let's hope they rectify this for the next set.
The best of Columbo?
Review date: 2006-01-24 Rating: 10 out of 10
Like many many people I grew up watching repeats of Columbo,and they always entertained, and brightened up a dull afternoon. However when the first DVD came out I was a bit reluctant to purchase it especially since there were no extras.
But I was glad I did - and now have Season Two and Three as well!
From the fashions on display it may not be entirely correct to say the show hasn't dated but while the episodes are over thirty years old they retain their sharpness and ability to entertain.
I think this is because Columbo is not only a classic show but a show with class - from direction to script and of course the "names" that appear.But the added plus of this season is I think is Peter Falk really has the character nailed.
The best season of Columbo?Perhaps.
But in my mind its certainly contains the best guest performance - watching Falk and Donald Pleasance again in "Any Old Port in a Storm" was worth of the price of the set.Despite the lack of extras!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Donald Pleasence
Robert Culp
Vera Miles
Peter Falk
Jackie Cooper
Director(s):
Recording label: Playback
Manufacturer: Playback
EAN: 5050582386950
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 4
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2005-11-14
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 657 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)