Columbo: Columbo Goes to the Guillotine

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.

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.

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 had to 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.

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

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.