By In recent years, there has been a revival of admiration for Columbo, and if you’re eager to follow Peter Falk’s delightful investigator, the latest edition gathering Columbo’s revival is available for just $42 (previously $100) at Amazon. This is a time-sensitive offer with a limited stock, so it is unlikely to remain at this price for much longer. Unfortunately, the original seven-season collection is approximately double the price currently ($82), but this remains a great chance to acquire Columbo: The Return at a fantastic deal.
- Columbo: The Return Box Set (12 discs) — $42 (
$100) - Columbo: The 1970s Box Set (20 discs) — $82
Launched on Blu-ray in late 2023, the original seven-season series had a launch price of $150 when it was initially revealed, but nowadays, it frequently sells for $75-$85 (like now). Meanwhile, Columbo: The Return, which arrived on Blu-ray last July, has a retail price of $100.
The Columbo: The 1970s compilation features 43 episodes and two films, whereas The Return box set encapsulates the concluding 24 episodes. It’s important to mention that each Columbo episode lasts at least 70 minutes, with many extending over 90 minutes, which gives them more of a film-like quality compared to regular TV broadcasts.
If you’re not acquainted with Columbo, the iconic mystery series presents a straightforward concept. While most programs in this genre focus on untangling clues to ascertain who perpetrated a murder, Columbo reveals how the crime was committed before the detective even arrives. The real pleasure was observing Columbo connect the pieces, unravel the suspects with his amiable disposition, and find critical evidence linking them to the crime. Always courteous and relentless in his quest for justice, Columbo stood out greatly from the norm-breaking detectives typically seen in films and television.
Columbo’s original broadcast concluded in 1978 after seven seasons, yet a little over a decade later, Peter Falk returned with his classic cigar as the charming detective when the show resumed in 1989 for a fresh 24-episode season. Older and more experienced, these episodes retained their quality, featured high production values, occasionally strayed from the familiar Columbo format, and showcased his ability to outsmart genuinely awful individuals. Some of the standout episodes involve Columbo confronting arrogant illusionists—not for the first time!–a Hollywood director, and William Shatner as a murderous radio DJ.
The Seasons 1-7 box set includes an original series score and a booklet, although the audio commentary tracks for each episode that were initially promised were subsequently revoked for reasons that remain unclear.
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