The Conspirators (13 May 1978)

An IRA terrorist executes an arms dealer he considers traitorous; Lt. Columbo is on the case.

Director:

Leo Penn

Writers:

Howard Berk, Pat Robison (idea),

Stars:

Peter Falk, Clive Revill, Jeanette Nolan

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Falk	...	Columbo
Clive Revill	...	Joe Devlin
Jeanette Nolan	...	Kate O'Connell
Bernard Behrens	...	George O'Connell
Michael Horton	...	Kerry Malone
Albert Paulsen	...	Vincent Pauley
L.Q. Jones	...	Gun Dealer
Deborah White	...	Angela
Sean McClory	...	Captain
Michael Prince	...	Michael Moore
Donn Whyte	...	Leach
Johnny Silver	...	Tow Truck Driver
Carole Hemingway	...	Herself (as Carole Hemmingway)
Tony Giorgio	...	Harry
John McCann	...	Brandon

Storyline

Devlin is an Irishman and in his youth he was a terrorist but now he is a famous writer and officially he is a supporter of an American society proposing to help the victims of terrorism. Actually he is buying from Pauley weapons for the terrorists. Devlin kills him because he think he has been betrayd. Lt. Columbo is responsible for the inquiry and becames friendly with Devlin. But it is very dangerous to be familiar with Lt. Columbo when you are a murderer.

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Plot Keywords:

terrorist | arms dealer | murderer | irish | writer | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 May 1978 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles Harbor, San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 97 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final episode of the original "Columbo" series. Peter Falk would return to his most famous role in 1989.

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Goofs

When Columbo goes to the pier to harass Joe Devlin, Columbo gets a flat tire. The flat is on the front right side. Columbo's spare tire is at home, so Columbo borrows a dime to get the car towed. But when we see the Peugeot being towed, the tire is good as new. Why would he need a tow when the tire is fixed?

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Quotes

Lt. Columbo: [Shocked at the high price of a book] $55 for a book? I could have my car fixed for that!

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Connections

References San Francisco (1936)

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Soundtracks

"Courtin' in the Kitchen"
(uncredited)
Traditional Irish Renaissance song (1450-1599)
Instrumental version heard at pub

User Reviews

"Columbo" ends its initial run with this entertaining, slightly offbeat entry

Joe Devlin (Clive Revill) is an Irish poet, singer, raconteur—and secret terrorist. He raises money in Los Angeles for his radical cause through a charity ostensibly meant to help terrorism's victims. Despite his hypocrisy, he has a strong belief in honor. When an arms dealer (Albert Paulsen) selling guns to Devlin tries to skim off $50,000 for himself, the poet-terrorist shoots him for being a traitor. Devlin leaves the man's hotel room after the "execution," but he makes a dumb mistake. The dealer has Devlin's new book in his jacket pocket, with Devlin's own inscription. That tiny clue is enough for our rumpled, redoubtable Lt. Columbo to make a connection between the two men—and learn things about Devlin that the poet would prefer to keep hidden.

Clive Revill, a renowned stage actor and the voice of countless cartoon characters, turns in a delightful performance. The cat-and-mouse play between him and Columbo—usually the highlight of any episode—is good; but my favorite scenes were of Revill singing and doing comedy bits for an audience at a charity drive.

The Irish terrorism theme is not calculated to bring out the best in a "Columbo" show, but it works reasonably well and makes for an entertaining, slightly offbeat entry.