Husband and wife are one Satan or Colombo in England. “Well, it’s been a little rough this time!” I thought after the final performance from the lieutenant. And immediately Detective Darke actually repeated my words addressed to Columbo, but from the screen. And Colombo answered him. It wasn't luck or luck. It was a performance. Exactly the same first-class as Mr. Frame and Mrs. Stanhope in their play Macbeth recently played. But this time the main role was one and performed it clearly not a professional actor.
This is probably the first film in which Colombo fails to explain and prove everything without resorting to lies or deception. But the lieutenant can be forgiven and even necessary: otherwise the criminals would continue to walk around in freedom, and the magnificent reputation of the lieutenant, like the face of the American police, would be tarnished and even before whom! In front of the Britons themselves!
The fact that Colombo is not at home, but even on the other side of the ocean, arouses renewed interest. For the first time, the legendary detective with us leaves the borders of his native States and goes, probably, on vacation. At least a friendly visit, he said. And not anywhere, but in London itself, where Scotland Yard reigns, Big Ben and the Queen of England. They greet him with honor and undisguised respect. It would seem, relax, enjoy and admire, Colombo! But not because he was called a great detective, as the British claimed that he sat in one place and did nothing.
Colombo is caught up in an investigation into the death of an influential British businessman. A little later, not without the help of Colombo, this investigation will turn into a murder investigation, but here, as you can guess, someone will scratch their hands!
The most influential English businessman, namely Sir Roger Haversham, shortly before his death visited two ideological inspirers of his brainchild, the play Macbeth, the main actors, the married couple Frame and Stanhope. Realizing, not without the help of his butler, that he, a businessman, these two artists are promoting not the first year for tidy sums for the sake of their own theatrical productions, he is furious and wants to stop financial influence in the activities of this couple, as he himself reports. Realizing that their career is close to a career, in a fit of anger, the couple kill Sir Roger and decide to stay clean, faking suicide.
It is absolutely logical that such a short voyage of Colombo cost a full-length picture lasting 100 minutes. Walking, as they say, with a sweep. But in everything else, in fact, there is no change. All the same humor, the central theme of which is ridiculous situations with Colombo outside of work (especially the baggage scene fell in love with itself), classic techniques of taming criminals, their deception, the short-term defeat of Colombo, memories of his wife and relatives, etc. Very useful, I think, was a longer show Colombo out of work. This is really interesting and, as we can see, outside of work Colombo is far from bloodthirsty, but rather, on the contrary, somewhere defenseless, naive and overly careful.
In general, the old Colombo acquaintance turned out, but in the English entourage and against the backdrop of London rains. As for the ending, I don't know about you, but I was a little disappointed. It is not difficult to set up criminals, but is it possible?
8 out of 10