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Columbo - Series 4 - Complete
RRP: £29.99
Our Price: £13.99 (subject to change)
Fewer discs but still excellent
Review date: 2006-11-16 Rating: 8 out of 10
The first season set had six DVDs. The box sets seem to be getting smaller each time and now we're down to just three discs. So that's six episodes and one 'bonus', an episode of Mrs Columbo.
But, I suppose it's just down to the number of episodes in each season.
It's a shame they haven't kept the same style of packaging throughout the series - this one doesn't have the attractive multi-disc system, just three separate slim cases.
Luckiliy, the six episodes in the fourth season are some of the best, including one of my favourites where Columbo investigates a murder at a military academy. The final episode is an all star affair on board a cruise ship, starring Robert Vaughan and Patrick McNee amongst others.
Image quality is up to scratch but the sound seems very low - I had to really crank up the volume.
As I said, the bonus is Mrs Columbo. I suppose it's vaguely of interest (I hadn't realised Mrs Columbo and Captain Janeway of the starship Voyager are one and the same person) but only very vaguely.
It would be nice to have an interview with Falk or something one of these days, or some background material.
Despite all this, it's still a necessary addition to your Columbo collection. Roll on the fifth season!
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Reviews
Very Likely The Best Columbo Season Of All
Review date: 2006-09-21 Rating: 10 out of 10
The original seventies series of Columbo is without doubt an extremely high quality and intelligently written drama which has never lost its magic however many years pass from its original broadcast date and season 4 for me represents the show's pinnacle.
Whereas series 1-3 tends to be split between some very good episodes and a few that are truly great, season 4 is great throughout. It's very hard not to feel every story here is a Columbo classic and with the addition of an such an effective cast (in particuar the murderers) it's hard to go wrong. Peter Falk plays his part to perfection, of course.
There's a nice variety of different plot locations like a military academy, health club, cruise liner and a hospital which adds considerably to the attractiveness of the stories.
The DVD extra, an episode of 'Mrs Columbo' pales by comparison but it's entertaining nevertheless.
If you only intend buying just the one Columbo DVD this is the one to get.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Peter Falk
Creators:
Peter Falk (Primary Contributor)
Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 5050582435184
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 3
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2006-09-18
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Language: English (Original Language)