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Prescription: Murder does have its slow moments and personally I think there were better entries in the series, nonetheless this is a strong start to a wonderful detective series. The story is not too hard to follow but it isn't exactly simple either with a fine denouncement, while the script is superb and allows the actors to have fun. The photography and locations are striking, the score is suitably intense and the direction is secure. The acting is very good too. The supporting players are good particularly Katherine Justice, but the two leads are excellent, Peter Falk owns the part of Columbo while Gene Barry is perfect as the smug psychiatrist who murders his wife. Columbo's methods of bringing down Fleming is somewhat haphazard, but it is still a delight to watch. Overall, a very strong start. 9/10 Bethany Cox

A successful California psychiatrist plots the murder of his wife of ten years using his actress-girlfriend as a ruse; Lt. Columbo gets the case. Near-terrific yarn provided the introduction of Peter Falk in a role which soon became part of television legend. Writers William Link and Richard Levinson based their teleplay on an off-Broadway show of theirs, and they do not disappoint in this earliest incarnation of the wily, cigar-chomping lieutenant (Falk even says his famous line, "Oh, and just one more thing..."). The Universal production is smooth and spotless, the music score amusingly intense, and the performances couldn't be improved upon--particularly Gene Barry's as the too-cool, not-rumpled doctor. The only problems with Link and Levinson's script come late in the game, after Columbo gets uncharacteristically tough and mean with Barry's girlfriend and then plays a little dirty pool. The denouement is tricky and fun, if a bit unfair to the audience.

A baby-faced Peter Falk makes his first appearance in this 1967 TV movie as the world-famous detective Columbo, which was followed 4 years later by another TV movie and an exceptionally successful TV series.

An excellent, well-paced, cleverly-crafted mystery which spends a lot of time establishing and developing Columbo's characterisation - the dogged determination and persistence through seemingly trivial questions; the display of deceptive absent-mindedness and ineptitude; the constant references to his family etc. are all underpinned by the cigar, the mac and the generally scruffy appearance (although his overall appearance here is rather more tidy).

Undeniably, in hindsight, Columbo characterisation and Falk's performance is a little raw here, for it would take a little more time to fine-tune both things: nevertheless, Falk still does a great job with the complexities of the character and gives a smooth, unruffled performance.

The plot is purposely straightforward and relatively thin and there are not the plethora of accompanying clues and trivial pieces of evidence that invigorate the vintage episodes of the series, but you have to remember that this TV movies was the platform for the Columbo character.

Gene Barry gives a fine performance as the murderer: he certainly relishes his role; effortlessly displaying his character's cold-heartedness, self-confidence and smugness in equal proportions. His scenes with Falk have a marked air of tension about them, as Barry's character progressively shows disdain and arrogance towards the protagonist.

The ending is clever, especially as the murderer continually thinks that he has got away with his crime; the way Columbo unmasks him is superbly ironical.

The only problem watching this film is that most people encountered the Columbo TV series, prior to watching the "introductory" TV movies, so it can be a little unnerving, yet, on its own account, it's a very accomplished piece of work. Furthermore, the best detective to hit our TV screens was born!

Peter Falk has done a lot of television over the past 45-plus years, but he is doubtless destined to be "Columbo" forever - not that this is a bad thing.

I recall seeing this, the first entry in the series, sometime in the 1970s, as a rerun, and thinking just how good it was. Watching it again over 30 years later, I find my opinion hasn't changed - this is a wonderful movie.

Most first efforts seem to vary widely from what a character becomes over time. Actors need time to grow into a role. Not, however, Peter Falk as Columbo - the man was obviously born to play this part.

Even if you've seen every episode of "Columbo" ever made twice, this one is well worth watching again. It's written to the same formula as the rest - you know who the murderer is and how the murder was done before the cops ever show up. The fun (and it is fun) is in watching Columbo figure it all out, sometimes with the unwitting aid of the murderer. And, as usual, there's "just one more thing . . ."

I do have to wonder, however, why a man who solves cases no one else can crack just can't seem to make Captain. Thirty-five years is a long time to be a Lieutenant. :-)

Finally managed to catch the very first appearance of Colombo today and I must say my respect for the character and Peter Falk is not only supported but strengthened.

Looking back 35 years it's hard to think that this is in fact the first appearance. With most characters and shows there's some level of evolution, working out the flaws and building up the depth. But this is the first time I've seen a genesis of a character so purely defined from the very beginning.

Although the dirty long coat barely has a wrinkle, along with Falk's face, the man looks like he was born for the part. It's as if the character was thrust up from the earth already carved in granite.

Most of the time when an actor is so deeply associated with a role it is a pity he was not able to explore other characters and develop a broader identity as an actor. Most notably William Shatner, a great actor in the 60s who created a defining character for the next few decades but was never able to break from that limited role and instead largely wasted his given talents in the part. However Falk in his defining role cannot be considered to have wasted his skills. Instead redefining and refining the character to the point where it becomes as much as a living breathing person as fiction could be.

It is very fact that in this first appearance Falk is so suited to the role that you realise that the actor could not be wasting his time pursuing a role he was obviously born to play.

Everything is here for an excellent murder mystery, the perfect plan, the cunning criminal and the dogged detective. Very close to perfection.