User reviews

I enjoyed this episode, but some bits bugged me. I found Columbo's treatment of the other policeman when he first arrived at the scene of the crime out of character. Columbo has always been very polite no matter how tense the situation, so it seems inconsistent to have him so abruptly order them around. Similarly out of character was his unabashed and persistent starting at the belly dancer. In the past he always found it impossible to look at semi-clad women, which endeared him far more to the audience. The fake Korean? Chinese? spoken. Probably jars more today than in the 70's but it's a bit sloppy not to have McGoohan learn a few lines phonetically. Finally: motive. What was the motive? A murder without a motive is like a riddle without an answer. Are we to assume it was just the arcane shenanigans of double agents, or did I miss something?

Nelson Brenner (Patrick McGoohan), a top CIA operative, is really a double agent who finds it necessary to rid himself of a fellow spy (Leslie Nielsen) and make it look like a mugging. Brenner inadvertently leaves tiny clues in a photo shop at a carnival, on Brenner's corpse at the beach, in a tape recording he makes while in his Agency-approved identity as a speechwriting consultant—the kind of clues that no one would ever pick up on. No one, that is, except our rumpled, redoubtable Lt. Columbo (Peter Falk). The indefatigable detective will find himself followed by mysterious agents, visited by the top man himself and entertained with a recording of "Madame Butterfly" in Brenner's own mansion before solving this difficult case.

Well, Columbo has already battled his own top boss ("A Friend in Deed"), a scientific genius ("Mind Over Mayhem") and a foreign secretary with diplomatic immunity ("A Case of Immunity"). Why not give him a really impossible job: battling a master spy?

It's strange to see standard spy stuff in a "Columbo" episode. We get the cryptic dialogue ("Colorado is a river" "Geronimo is an Indian"), a broken poker chip to prove identity, latex disguises, exploding cars—if I had wanted to see this crap I would have watched "Mission: Impossible."

No, I'm joking. This is an enjoyable episode, with McGoohan delivering two excellent performances: as director and guest villain. He films William Driskell's script at a leisurely, but not lugubrious, pace. The scene where Columbo fumbles for change at a gas station is the only one that seems overlong. McGoohan's splendid Nelson Brenner is fascinated by Columbo—the way a small rodent is fascinated by a snake.

I mean that analogy. Sometimes even we, the "Columbo" fans, underestimate our hero and see him as a simple guy with a gift for detection. But there is a moment or two in every episode where he seems menacing—almost frightening. In this episode, it's the scene where he walks backwards out of Brenner's office, smiling—yet with a penetrating glare. You'd need a master spy's nerves not to be undone by that.

The scene in Brenner's mansion is among the best in the series and make up for whatever deficiencies we might find in the plot and in the ending. Fans of McGoohan's spy series, "Danger Man" and "The Prisoner," will find as much to enjoy as "Columbo" buffs.

I am a big Columbo fan, and I have always had a soft spot for this episode. It is not absolutely perfect, the scene with Columbo fumbling for change is a little overlong for my tastes, and while the deduction on Columbo's part was brilliant I did also feel that Brenner gave up too easily, it just seemed strange that a man as calculating and smart as he was would give up just like that. However, Identity Crisis looks wonderful, with beautiful locations and slick photography. There is an atmospheric score as well as Patrick McGoohan's purposefully languid but very effective direction, the sharp, witty writing with the "do you have some wine?" and "do you like music?" exchanges standing out and occasionally convoluted but very cleverly written and interesting story. My favourite scene of Identity Crisis is the scene in Brenner's mansion with Madama Butterfly playing in the background, one of Columbo's finest scenes. Peter Falk is exceptional as Columbo, while McGoohan also stars as Nelson Brenner and he is splendid, very snobbish and world-weary. A younger and more serious Leslie Nielson is a good presence as well. In conclusion, a Columbo classic. 9/10 Bethany Cox

While I agree with those who point out the plot implausibilities, there is no denying the chemistry that exists between Falk and McGoohan. Other installments surely have a tighter plot and stronger story- telling, but McGoohan is hands-down the finest bad guy the series had. Not for nothing was he featured four times. Just the way he intones "mahjongg" make it worth wading through the borderline ludicrous plot twists.

Peter Falk enters the world of espionage with this case as CIA man Leslie Nielsen is found dead on a beach after leaving a restaurant. He was having dinner with Patrick McGoohan who then murdered him. Nielsen was getting way too close to finding out that McGoohan had a secret identity as a double agent named Steinmetz.

Again Falk is facing a perpetrator who is pretty smart and resourceful and in his case can call down the very forces of the government he's betraying to halt the investigation. In fact he does have Columbo followed and then even has David White who is playing his superior come down and confer with Columbo. All that does is convince Falk that he's definitely got the right guy.

This one is a cleverly written story and how does McGoohan get tripped up. Something as simple as the time of the day. Check this out.

Several have commented that the murderer gives up too easily.

Well - whatever the verdict of a jury Columbo has anyway proved that he is a double-agent who has killed one of the Agency's best operators. The murderer is finished whether a jury would convict him or not. Given that McGoohan delivers a splendidly world-weary performance the murderer may not even mind too much!

Some fine acting and direction here and the settings for most of the scenes are very attractive. If you like the average Columbo then you will love this. If you don't like the average Columbo then why are you reading this?

I think the plot mechanics of this episode are quite fine, as good as almost any other. There is not too much that far out, except for the the Director admitting that Nelson Brenner is someone they've been trying to catch for years, but still somehow he's still in this very sensitive position. The seemingly random bits of news on the car radio over the opening credits providing the essential clue (China pulling out of Olympics) that Columbo uses to break the alibi is a fantastic touch.

The real pleasure of this episode is that it is directed like no other Columbo, not even others directed by Patrick McGoohan. First, the artful use of facial closeups in conversations, often from a slightly low angle, add real heft to the import of the words being spoken. It's used not just between Columbo and Brenner, but elsewhere, like in dialog with Sgt Kramer (the great Bruce Kirby), the amusement park photographer, and others. Next is Columbo's attitude. Here the lieutenant is more forceful and straightforward. A nice touch is the very beginning where he directs the criminalists and coroner to get away from the body so he can inspect it. It's an unusual touch. Then, there's the way he interacts with his suspect. Columbo here is smiling, as usual, but this time his smile is derisive, almost mocking, as if to say, "can you believe this jackass." That's very unique for Columbo.

I think McGoohan created one of the best Columbo episodes here, raising it above standard TV fare for the day. He used the camera in a way that elevates the material above its usual standards, and directed his star to appear more consequential in the story. Nicely done!

How many times have I seen this episode? Countless, This is the first time I ever noticed what I describe in this review. It pays to re-watch!

This episode has all the trademarks: Guest appearances by Hollywood notables; memorable one-line throwaway gags; a baffling mystery; familiar L.A. locations; problems with the car ("there's only three like this in the country" he says; and Columbo's tying things together by staying on that one thing that doesn't make sense.

Guest was Leslie Nielsen, looking younger and much more serious than in the other roles I've seen him in.

Can we catalog the great one-liners in these 68 movies? Here are two from this episode: Columbo: "Do you have any wine?" McGoohan: "I have a whole cellar full." Columbo (waving his hand) "Oh, I'll just have a glass." Another classic: McGoohan: "Do you like music?" Columbo: "Oh, I hear it all the time."

Seeing the action at Travel Town, where I took my daughter 10 years ago, added to my enjoyment of this episode.

Maybe it's my tv adjustment, but the clash is getting greater between the color of Columbo's suit and his raincoat ...

Stay the course, Lieutenant Columbo, stay the course.

Identity Crisis heads for the world of espionage. Nelson Brenner (Patrick McGoohan) is trying to set up a meet for fellow agent Henderson (Leslie Nielsen.) They spend a day in the fair on Long Beach discussing it and probably sizing each other up.

However Brenner plans to kill Henderson and make it look like a violent mugging.

When Henderson's body is found, Columbo makes a link with Brenner by looking at photos taken in the fair. Brenner's cover is as a speech writer, he is clever and arrogant. Brenner also makes implied threats to Columbo that he has powerful backing.

Patrick McGoohan stars as Brenner and also directs. He makes good use of the outside locations such as the fair on Long Beach and also night shooting on the beach when Columbo comes in to investigate the dead body. McGoohan uses the car lights to lit up the scene.

I did have problems figuring out the motive for the murder. Their just did not seem to be one unless Henderson knew who Stieglitz was and concluded that Brenner was a double agent.

Also after the intervention of the bureau chief of the CIA, Brenner was in the clear there was no need for him to contact Columbo any further. Whatever Columbo had on him was flimsy at best.

Columbo does a great job unraveling this multilayered mystery in "Identity Crisis" from the fifth season. This episode starred Patrick McGoohan, who also directed.

McGoohan plays Nelson Brenner, who works for the CIA. He's a double agent but his front is being a speech-writing consultant. When another spy, known as Geronimo (Leslie Nielsen) wants money that is owed him from a scam, Brenner has to get rid of him. He makes it look like a mugging on the beach, and gives himself an alibi.

We all know he can't fool Columbo, and I loved the look on his face when he realizes that Columbo isn't going to give up on the case. The denouement is very well done.

A few people mentioned that Brenner, a tough, arrogant man, gave up too easily. I don't agree. He knew Columbo had him; also, I think he was fascinated by our sloppy police lieutenant and intellectually really wanted to know why he persisted on the case.

Truly excellent episode, with Columbo followed by agents and being taken to task by someone at the CIA. But he really nails it.

The very murder this episode of Colombo is about makes it impossible for the Lt. to have been summoned to investigate. The murder takes place underneath the Santa Monica Pier which is in the City of Santa Monica, so since Colombo is L.A.P.D, he would not been called for this case.

Never the less, I enjoyed seeing the pier as it was in the 70s when I used to hang out there. The Santa Monica Pier is the home of the old-fashioned wooden merry-go-round, carousel that is seen as the home of Paul Newman in The Sting, it is still in use. I also enjoyed the scenes of the Long Beach Pike, (amusement park), which no longer exists as the site of the Pike is now the shopping and dining village adjacent to the Long Beach Convention Center. This area was also used in the filming of the conclusion of the chase in it's a Mad, Mad, Mad, World, which was also shot in the state park near the Santa Monica Pier where the Big W was set up and you can see the taxis driving up n down the road from PCH to the park.

Jon Jax 71

Leslie Nielsen dying in the first few minutes tells you that this is going to be a good TV film after all! However he does get to accompany McGoohan at the funfair first. McGoohan's portrayal of a cynical killer who is kind to little girls takes us all right back to those gallant Danger Man days! Then he even has the nerve to deliver the line "Be Seeing You" repeatedly, a farewell to his Prisoner devotees? What a star! Peter Falk shuffles in and you know even McGoohan's time is limited but what a lot he packs in first! McGoohan even gets to do his favourite 'pretending to be a very old man' party-piece. As other reviewers have said, an excellent piece with many strands. Columbo was always great but some episodes were brilliant. The only criticism of this one would be that even Columbo would never have caught this guy!

PLOT: A VIP CIA operative and double agent (Patrick McGoohan) finds it necessary to murder a colleague (Leslie Nielsen) and make it look like a random night mugging at a pier. Otis Young, David White and Vito Scotti appear in peripheral roles.

COMMENTARY: This was McGoohan's second of four appearances on Columbo as the antagonist. It was also the first of five episodes he directed. He and Falk were friends in real life and thus McGoohan's presence usually ensures a quality segment.

This is a longer Columbo outing at 1 hour, 37 minutes. It has the usual dialogue-driven cat-and-mouse and features the disheveled sleuth's penchant for details in his detective work, like meticulously going through random photos at an amusement park. Speaking of which, I like the location shooting at the park and pier, as well as the Middle Eastern-styled nightclub. As is typical, the murderer is arrogant and underestimates Columbo. On the downside, his motive is decidedly ambiguous.

The film scores pretty well on the female front with statuesque redhead Barbara Rhoades as a photographer at the amusement park and Angela May as the antagonist's secretary in a brief role, not to mention the winsome blonde girl at the carnival, played by Alicia Chambers.

GRADE: B

Being a good personal friend of Peter Falk, Patrick McGoohan starred in quite a few Columbo movies and he as well directed some. In this movie he both stars and directs and does a good job with both but it's mostly his directing that stands out and makes this one fine Columbo movie to watch.

I liked the movie it's beginning. McGoohan did a great job from the start, making this a nice mysterious movie to watch, with a very solid suiting atmosphere. It's not really a typical Columbo atmosphere but it works out well for the overall movie and its style.

The movie its story also allowed this movie to be more mysterious than the usual Columbo movie entry, also due to the presence of the CIA this time. Perhaps the movie is not always good or fast going in parts but it overall is a great different story for a Columbo movie.

Its directing really gave the movie something special. Also the camera-work is outstanding and uses some interesting angles, which are consistent with '70's style but not really the Columbo style in particular.

The movie features also Bruce Kirby again, who played the same character in a total of 4 different Columbo movies, as Sergeant Kramer and he starred in a couple of more Columbo movies as a different character. Leslie Nielsen also once more plays a role in a Columbo movie, this time as the victim, from the time he he still mainly played serious roles. But it of course above all is Peter Falk's and Patrick McGoohan's movie, they mostly carry the movie with their roles and their fine acting performances.

One fine Columbo movie, mostly also thanks to Patrick McGoohan's great directing.

8/10

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IDENTITY CRISIS is another Columbo instalment starring Patrick McGoohan, certainly the most prolific and hard-working of returning guest stars. McGoohan is a hoot in this one, and plays the most likable villain of his Columbo career: he's a spy who bumps off a rival and makes it look like a mugging, at least until Columbo shows up. Said rival is Leslie Nielsen, still playing it straight at this stage of his career.

This is one of the episodes that's slightly unusual and works well for being atypical. The background is one of spies and spying and the viewer is treated to the sight of Columbo being tailed by a couple of CIA agents for part of the running time, which is quite amusing. The emphasis on humour is strong and the scene at the gas station is particularly amusing. However, my favourite moment is the lengthy conversation between Falk and McGoohan towards the climax, where they chill out in McGoohan's house and discuss his possessions. Two fine actors at the top of their game - what more could you possibly want?

A fantastic episode of Columbo, with an Incredible performance by both actors, such great chemestry there, a must watch TV.

The plot is very complicated, I think too much for some person, so that explain some bad reviews, but dont listen to people who cant understand.

This is a great one, nearly a 10/10. One that prove once more Columbo is one of the Greatest TV show ever.

This Season 5 Columbo story has a prodigious main cast, headed by Patrick McGoohan (who also directs) and Leslie Nielsen.

McGoohan plays Nelson Brenner who is an operator for the CIA whose past comes back to haunt him in the shape of fellow-operative Nielsen, who suspects him of betraying him and the organisation as a double-agent. The former knows this and eliminates him.

A decidedly complicated affair with a well-maintained aura of secrecy and slyness; nevertheless, it also has an awkward style about it since the script-writer seems to struggle with the development of a spy story whilst maintaining the familiar elements of the Columbo formula.

Overall, it is a rather drawn-out adventure which only really warms up once Columbo establishes Brenner's "real" job. There is a classic scene as Columbo goes to Brenner's house and they play a cat-and-mouse game as Madame Butterfly plays majestically in the background.

Satisfying in parts but not as a whole; grade A for effort but only grade C for the end product.