The Mystery Movie Collection 1989

The television series Columbo started out as a TV movie in 1968 and later in 1971 the second TV movie aired. In that same year, Columbo aired as a television series. The series is a mystery drama that revolves around Lieutenant Columbo (Peter Falk). Columbo is a well respected LAPD homicide detective, who has a unique way of solving crimes. Unlike many others, he has the ability to see things in a crime scene that others miss. The series is one of my favorite mysteries. It is riveting, gripping, and entertaining. For more details about this show please refer to DVD Talk's reviews of season one, season two, season three, season four, season five, and seasons six & seven.

In the end of Columbo's awesome seventh season, the show was cancelled with some intent that future airings of Columbo could happen. And if they did, the stories would be told in a TV movie format. And about ten and a half years later, Columbo returned for a series of TV movies. This review of Columbo: The Mystery Movie Collection 1989 covers five TV movies that aired in 1989. For those who have seen and enjoyed Columbo seasons one through seven, this collection of 1989 TV movies will be a great watch.

Similar to the seven seasons of Columbo, the 1989 TV movies present well-acted, well-written storylines that provide intense drama. Each follows the great format developed in the show's earlier work, a high-profile individual commits murder and covers their tracks all-too-well. The first thirty minutes or so are dedicated to the criminal enacting and hiding the homicide. In the following hour, Lt. Columbo leads an investigation and finds the slightest, insignificant clues that combine together as undeniable evidence that the suspect is guilty.

Peter Falk's performance as Columbo is part of what makes each case so exciting. He develops a strong chemistry with each of the bad guys, learning and understanding the way they think and act. In the end, Columbo always finds a way to pierce through the "bulletproof" crime. He is a detective like no other.

This collection has five solid 93 minute long TV movies; they are all exceptional and will be adored by fans. My favorites were the first two, "Columbo Goes To the Guillotine" and "Murder, Smoke And Shadows". In the first, Columbo faces a dashing criminal Eliot Blake (Anthony Andrews). Blake is a fake psychic who killed an old friend who betrayed him. Columbo is faced with a difficult case, as he has no proof to indicate Blake is the killer. The chemistry Blake and Columbo develop drives this story, with a fun repertoire between the charming man and the scruffy detective.

In the other great episode, Alex Bradey (Fisher Stevens) is a high-profile movie director who is at the root of a murder. When an old friend comes to visit him and confront him about a secret that would ruin him, Bradey takes his life. As a director, he specializes in creating illusion and tries to do so with the murder. However, as luck would have it, Columbo is a pretty smart guy and he manages to play Bradey's game better. Steven Hill (Law & Order) guest stars. It is a solid episode with a great storyline that unfolds with a fine level of mystery.

Overall, Columbo: The Mystery Movie Collection 1989 is a fantastic set. For the fans of the series, it is a must. For everyone else, this set is a great investment. The episodes are strong indications of the high-quality writing and acting the show has to offer. For those who enjoy solid detective/mystery productions, Columbo is the best there is.

Episode Guide

1. Columbo Goes To The Guillotine: There's much more than meets the eye when Columbo investigates the death of a magician who supposedly was killed by one of his own clever magic tricks.
2. Murder, Smoke And Shadows: Columbo searches for clues on the cutting-room floor when he suspects a high-powered film director of hiding evidence of murder.
3. Sex And The Married Detective: Does the heart rule the head, or vice versa? Columbo ponders the answer to this timeless question and others when he must outwit a sex therapist involved in a crime of passion.
4. Grand Deceptions: Rank and reputation prove to be particularly difficult obstacles when Columbo looks into the murder of a respected military general by one of his overly ambitious colonels.
5. Murder, A Self Portrait: It's no murder-by-numbers when Columbo investigates the deadly relationships between a savvy artist, his troubled ex-wife, his attention-starved current wife, and his live-in model.

The DVD

Video:
The video is given in its original television aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame color. The picture quality is good considering its age. The image is a bit soft at times. For the most part, it looks good with a slight grain and no noticeable issues attributed with video compression.

Audio:
The audio in this release is in English 2.0 Dolby digital mono. The quality is quite good. The audio is fairly flat, which is due the show being dialogue driven and the mono track offers very little in terms of dynamics. This release also supports closed captioning and has subtitles in English.

Extras:
For extras, this season set includes "A Sleuth Channel Countdown of the Top Sleuths in Television and Film", which is the countdown from the television special America's Top Sleuths. The special aired on the Sleuth Channel and viewers were able to vote for their favorite characters in crime/mystery dramas. This special is half of it and only includes the countdown for the top ten television series. It is an interesting special with commentary from a variety of individuals from the entertainment business (actors, comedians, writers, novelists, etc.)

Note this extra was also included in Law & Order: The Fifth Year.

Final Thoughts:
Columbo: The Mystery Movie Collection 1989 is an awe-inspiring collection of TV movies. The five TV movies in this set have Columbo at the top of his game. For fans of the series and viewers who enjoy detective/mysteries, Columbo is the best out there and this set is great.