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Columbo - Series 5 - Complete [1975]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Over three decades since it was first broadcast, the evergreen Columbo’s fifth season finds Peter Falk’s infamous detective in very fine form. In fact, this is one of the seasons for which Falk walked away with a prestigious Emmy award for his portrayal of the title role. There are half-a-dozen episodes included across the discs in this Columbo set, and they attract a healthy selection of guest stars. Among the faces who turn up in the assorted mysteries are Patrick McGoohan, Janet Leigh and Robert Vaughn, while at one point a certain Steven Spielberg steps behind the camera to direct an episode.

But make no mistake, this always was, and continues to be here, Peter Falk’s show. He fits the role of Columbo like a proverbial glove, and some of the episodes featured in this fifth season are among the finest the show produced throughout its run. "Now You See Him", for instance, is a clever, intriguing piece of drama, involved a more mysterious than usual magician. And "Identity Crisis"--which also features Airplane’s Leslie Nielsen--is a lovely, twisty, spy-based episode.

It’s a pity that the extras on the Columbo DVDs are pretty much non-existent, because there’s a real and genuine joy in being reunited with the episodes themselves. Season five isn’t perfect, granted, but there’s nonetheless far more in the positive corner than the negative. Very warmly recommended. --Jon Foster

Editorial
Synopsis

The LAPD's cleverest detective returns to solve more seemingly unsolvable murders. Peter Falk stars as Detective Columbo, whose disheveled appearance and lackadaisical investigations disguise his sharp and shrewd intelligence. Columbo became popular and famous for its clever dramatic structure and Peter Falk's winning portrayal of the detective. Each episode opens with a murder, followed by Columbo's investigation, and finally his revelation of how he put the events together. This collection of episodes covers the entire fifth series.

SOME GOOD -SOME BAD
Review date: 2007-10-21 Rating: 8 out of 10


THE 2 EPISODES WITH THE SPY AND THE MAGICIAN ARE THE BEST.

THE AGEING ACTRESS AND THE ARAB DIPLOMAT ARE PRETTY GOOD STORYS.

THE MEXICAN BULLFIGHTER IS OK BUT THE SAILOR KILLING EPISODE IS TERRIBLE.

NOT THE BEST COLUMBO SERIES BUT 7 OUT OF 10.

SERIES 6 AND 7 ARE BETTER.

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Reviews


Not the best season - but there is still plenty to enjoy
Review date: 2007-08-21 Rating: 8 out of 10

I don't know why people give season 5 of Columbo such a hard time. Ok, so there are no "classic" Columbo stories but there is plenty to enjoy.

The first story Forgotton Lady has a very mooving performance by Janet Leigh (Psycho)as an ageing broadway actress.

Next up is A Case Of Immunity which isnt one of the better Columbo stories. There is no real motive for the murder and the resolution of the case is abit of a cop out (no pun intended).

Identity Crisis is the best story in this season. Patrick McGoohan is superb as an ex spy. Watch out for his "be seeing you" straight out of The Prisoner. In real life he is a great friend of Peter Falk and they have alot of screen chemisty together. Leslie Neilson also appears. He was also in the Columbo episode Lady In Waiting.

A Matter Of Honor is not a great episode. Dispite a great performance by Ricardo Montalban the story is quite dull.

Now You See Him sees the rumpled detective pitted against a sinister magician with a dark secret played by Jack Cassidy who also appeared in the Columbo stories Murder By The Book and Publish Or Perish. Not a bad story.

The final story of the season is Last Salute Of The Commadore features Robert Vaughn who starred in Columbo Troubled Waters. In this story the person you think is the murderer gets bumped off half way through the episode. It's nice that the producers decided to try something different ie we now don't know who the killer is. This episode was directed by Patrick McGoohan.

So as I said dont be put off be negative reviews this is a great season and seasons 6 and 7 are still as good, if not better.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Peter Falk

Creators:
Peter Falk (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 5050582466874
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 3
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2007-02-12
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Theatrical release date: 1975
Language: English (Original Language)

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