User reviews

Beneath a rather murky plot, this is a very pleasing and entertaining addition to the Columbo series with originality and familiarity present in equal measure.

Hector Elizondo plays the First Secretary of a Middle Eastern (Suarian) Embassy in the US, who murders the Chief of Security in a bid to enhance the power and influence he holds within his country. Masking it also as burglary and trying to frame one of the protesting students outside the Embassy, he quickly turns to framing his accessory to the murder, who also ends up a victim of the power struggle....

This is certainly a different slant on the usual Columbo mysteries, but it is all done convincingly, with Elizondo portraying a serious-minded, aloof villain with the straight-facedness it deserves. His scenes with Falk are clinical, substantial and well-portrayed, particularly as Columbo has initial difficulties in adapting to the culture of the Suarian natives within the Embassy as Elizondo's character looks on in mild disgust, thus maintaining a vitally important humorous air to proceedings.

Columbo's ongoing difficulties with the culture is mirrored well by the complexities of the case: however, the shift of power from villain to hero is gradually and effectively invoked - firstly, as a a complaint is put into the State department about Columbo, but secondly, and more significantly, as Columbo (in a tuxedo no less) greets the Suarian king in his own language at a lavish outdoor party, much to the shock of Elizondo's character. This scene also re-inforces Columbo's friendship with the King, something which plays an important part in the resolution soon after.

By his own admission, Columbo is hampered by too much circumstance and the inability to prosecute due to diplomatic immunity; so how does he solve the case? It is definitely worth waiting to find out...

Brisking pacing and many interesting scenes add the edge to a lively, well-judged Columbo adventure, which was made at a time when the writers had to become increasingly inventive when they conceived their scripts.

I may be biased as I am a huge fan of Columbo and always have been. A Case of Immunity is not one of my favourites but it like a vast majority of the Columbo episodes is very solid. The ending is rather predictable and I didn't entirely buy how Columbo's trick worked as well as it did, but overall the story was clever and interesting with the scenes between Falk and Elizondo really shining and a nice offbeat briskly paced feel to it, and the writing is intelligent and sometimes amusing. The episode looks great, slickly shot and with beautiful scenery, and the music is as haunting and as fitting as ever. Of the support cast, Sal Mineo comes off best. But it is the two leads that captivates, Peter Falk continues to embody the character of Columbo and Hector Elizondo is oily and intelligent with wonderful eyes, among the best of any Columbo villain I'd say. Overall, a solid and entertaining mystery with an interesting story and two great leads. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Hassan Salah (Hector Elizondo), first secretary to the King of Suaria, has a scheme for shifting power within his government. He tricks a naïve idealist (Sal Mineo), who is working in his legation, into helping him murder a beloved security officer (André Lawrence), rob the safe and make it look like the work of radicals. Lt. Columbo (Peter Falk) of the LAPD finds himself with a suspect who may have immunity from the consequences of his crime. But never underestimate our rumpled, redoubtable detective.

Considering how often novelties fail in this series, when the plots must stick to a strict formula to succeed, this is a surprisingly strong episode. Setting Columbo into the world of foreign diplomacy proves to be a good idea. The two murder schemes (yes, there's a second one) are interesting. Elizondo makes a good villain. And instead of stopping the story cold to insert some extraneous comic business, as far too many "Columbo" movies do, the comedy is well integrated into the plot.

Still, this won't completely satisfy fans. The made-up kingdom of Suaria requires a higher than usual suspension of disbelief; and the ending is both predictable and false. I don't believe Columbo's psychological trick would have worked so quickly and so well. The best thing in the episode is seeing Columbo repeatedly step on the Arab diplomat's robe—both figuratively and literally.

While the murder mystery itself in this COLUMBO outing is rather ordinary and familiar, it's the unusual setting which makes the story stand out. Hector Elizondo stars as a high-ranking diplomat who commits a carefully-planned murder inside his own Middle Eastern embassy. Our grizzled detective must not only seek to solve the case and bring the villain to justice, but to avoid the pit traps that high ranking diplomacy brings with it.

The Arab background to the story allows for many of the fish-out-of-water humorous moments we all know and love in Columbo. Falk gives an effortless turn, but Elizondo steals all of his scenes as the completely cold and ruthless diplomat. Sal Mineo co-stars shortly before his own real-life murder, and there's a turn from veteran actor Kenneth Tobey alongside a brief Jeff Goldblum cameo (as a protesting student). The scene in the kitchen is probably my favourite moment in this one.

One of my all time favorite Columbo episodes. Peter Falk is at his bumbling best and Hestor Elizondo is simply fantastic.

But what really deserves comment is the writing. A particularly memorable exchange occurs between Columbo and a chief suspect, Hassan Salah, played by Hector Elizondo. As I remember it goes something like this:

Columbo: Oh, no, you couldn't possibly have done it. You know, sometimes I can just look at someone and say "He couldn't possibly have done it." And when I first met you I said to myself "He couldn't possibly have done it."

Salah: That's very reassuring, Lieutenant. How often are you right?

Columbo: Oh, only about twenty percent of the time.

***** You really have to see it to fully appreciate it. It is truly classic.

A lot of user comments rank this episode as good or even better than that. I'm a big fan of the show, for all it's episodes from the late 60s to the very last ones. And me giving this episode even a 7/10 will say something about that. But for me, it is a lesser entry. For one thing it tries to deal with some sort of political situation that has dated the episode quite quickly. (and yes, one of my other sub par Columbo's is The Conspirators). Besides that it nowadays looks totally ridiculous to have American actors play the Arab roles, which to me makes it more of a fancy dress party than an edge of seat crime story. And they don't have any real Arab ways of dealing or behaving, they behave very American, but with different clothes on. Check the interior of the study of the main suspect. Apart from the special items especially arranged for Falk to nearly drop them, the walls are covered with western paintings and every time they're near a bookshelf I find myself trying to read all the western titles. They just used an office on the Universal grounds and declared it Arabic. Having said that, there are some good moments and nice dialog. But if you want excellent episodes, look elsewhere.

The main concept of the movie is enjoyable and original but not really credible though. Why would someone with diplomatic immunity, in an area where the LAPD has no jurisdiction, ever allow the police to interstage. Someone with diplomatic immunity could of course had also very easily covered up a murder without much intervention. Instead they give full cooperation to the police, which is of course a big mistake from them, especially when Columbo is on the case. There also many clues left out for them, making this one of the most poorly planned out murder-plots from any Columbo movie. You would expect something more clever and better planned from an high ranking important foreign diplomat.

It also gets never explained in the movie why the first murder ever got committed, making this really one of the less great written Columbo movies, despite having an interesting and original premise.

Still the movie remains a good and enjoyable one to watch, also really thanks to the movie its cast. Of course Peter Falk is great as lieutenant Columbo. Hector Elizondo plays a worthy competitor for the good old lieutenant. Elizondo is a great actor, who fits the role well, despite that he of course is not Arabic, while his character is. The movie also features well known movie star Sal Mineo but in a quite small role. It was one of his final roles before he got murdered on the street, in 1976. The movie is of course mostly about Columbo and his confrontations and interrogations with the Hector Elizondo character, like every Columbo movie goes. Especially the confrontation toward the end, when Columbo is making his accusations and is saying the Elizondo character is lying, is a great one.

It's quite amusing to see Columbo mingle in this one with many important country delegates and even with a king.

It isn't the Columbo movie with the best or most steady pace. The movie isn't always fast going. Luckily the movie is not too long with its mere 73 minutes of running time. It's funny though how IMDb never seems to have the running times right for any Columbo movie.

Seems like Ted Post just wasn't the best director the Columbo series ever had. Also his other later Columbo movie "Columbo: A Matter of Honor" isn't among the best in the long running series that spread over many decades. The directing just isn't lively or original enough. It's the effective sort of directing for TV work, that is just never anything too exciting to watch.

Not really one of my favorite Columbo movie entries but it's amusing and good enough to watch, especially for the fans, since it follows the usual formula and features the usual Columbo ingredients, that makes all Columbo movie so perfectly watchable and enjoyable to watch.

7/10

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Columbo really delivers a one-two punch in "A Case of Immunity" in this Columbo from season 5.

Hassan Salah (Hector Elizondo) is first secretary to the King of Suaria, and has a scheme for gaining power in his government. He convinces a young man working in the legation (Sal Mineo) to help him in the murder of a security officer and robbing the safe so that it looks like radicals (protesting outside) have broken in.

It doesn't take Columbo long to become suspicious of Salah, though having him arrested is going to be tough since he has diplomatic immunity.

Very good episode with Elizondo beautifully portraying a distinguished, proper Suarian interested in serving the visiting king (Barry Robins) and being gracious to Columbo. But Columbo wears out his welcome in a big way.

Really top notch.

PLOT: Columbo has to solve a murder at the embassy of a (fictitious) Middle Eastern kingdom. Evidence points to the shady chief director (Hector Elizondo), but he has diplomatic immunity. Sal Mineo is on hand as an accomplice.

COMMENTARY: This is a rather obscure installment and my memories of it were foggy, so I expected a mediocre Columbo flick. Yet I found myself engaged by the dialogue-driven story. As usual, the arrogant antagonist underestimates the rumpled detective because of his nice-guy humility and clumsiness (accidently stepping on his robe twice); that is, until the sleuth confronts him in the great kitchen scene. From then on, the pompous Arab sweats it out while comforted by the fact that diplomatic immunity protects him. How can Columbo possibly get around it?

Brioni Farrell shines as Xenia, a worker at the embassy. She's reminiscent of Yasmine Bleeth, albeit 20 years prior to Yasmine's heyday.

GRADE: B

In this wonderful episode of Columbo he has to deal in the embassy where a different (middle-east like) culture is present, and many people are diplomatically immune. Especially the cultural differences are brought wonderfully, good research has been done, except by Columbo himself, who blunders about in his charming innocent way.

Hector Elizondo stars as Hassan Salah, an official with the middle-eastern country Suarian embassy, who murders(for vague reasons) the security chief in the embassy, and with the help of an aide(played by Sal Mineo) makes it look like the work of an anti-government intruder/protester. Lt. Columbo(Peter Falk) doesn't believe the official Suarian story of Hassan, but since the man has diplomatic immunity, how can he make an arrest? Perhaps the young Suarian king may turn out to be of assistance... Interesting premise with a memorable payoff, even if there is a certain degree of artificiality to the presentation of the foreign culture.

***SPOILER***It seems that the writers of the Columbo TV movies tried to make let.Columbo human here by having him admit defeat. Then having the bad guy, after gloating to him about how smart he is, getting the Great Columbo to finally realize and admit to him ,as well as the theater audience, that for once just this one time how Let.Columbo should realize that he's the lesser man. That he's, the bad guy, one of the great geniuses of all times in this great battle of wits and smarts.

Then through an incredible twist in the plot, with Let. Columbo mumbling and bumbling his way through the set like he does in all of his TV movies, that can only happen on TV or in the movies. The bad guy then eagerly confess to everything that he's accused of. Including the murder of a high government official in his country, and hold out his hands and almost beg for Let. Columbo to arrest him and put him behind bars for life.

I used to think that I've seen everything, on TV in the movie and in real life, until I saw this. And I still think that I was hallucinating when I saw it. Another thing about "Columbo: A case of immunity" I think it was Sal Mineo's last acting role.

I never really liked this episode. I like Hector Elizondo and Sal Mineo but I never liked this episode probably because of the middle eastern politics or the misrepresentation of cultures. Anyway, it's a typical Columbo where the chief suspect is the star. The ending is predictable and how Columbo gets his man or woman in this case is also worth watching to the viewers. For most people in the 1970s, I don't think Middle-eastern men and women were shown kindly or at all in my opinion. At least, this episode does it's best to use a fictional nation rather than spur off controversy. At least, Hector's character can be likable and complicated, rather than just a simple stereotype. The people at Columbo were smart to avoid any possible controversial topics or approaches to the story without offending anybody. It wouldn't be a good episode or Columbo at all if it insulted people from any particular walk of life.

Was a solid Columbo most of the way through, but the ending really took it to the next level. Definitely one of the better Columbo conclusions, one I really didn't see coming for once.

"A Case of Immunity" is an episode of "Columbo" that is very good. However, I should note one thing. Altough the show is about folks from a mythical Muslim nation, the main actors in it were not--one being a Sicilian-American and the other a Puerto Rican/Basque-American. This isn't very unusual though it might have been nice to have Muslim actors in these roles.

The story begins with a staged murder and robbery meant to discredit dissidents from a fictional nation. Then, to keep things secret, the diplomat organizing all this kills his accomplice. Now Columbo is investigating two murders and is spending much time in diplomatic circles. What makes this tough is that the killer has diplomatic immunity....so what is Columbo to do??

I enjoyed the change of venue in this story, though it does seem impobable that such a case would be handled by the Los Angeles Police. Still, it is enjoyable and Columbo's interactions with the killer are amazingly fun to watch.

Hassan Salah (Hector Elizondo) is a high level diplomat of the Muslim kingdom of Suaria. Columbo (Peter Falk) gets mistakenly called into a security meeting with the Police Commissioner and Salah to plan the arrival of the Suarian King. All around the same time, Salah is orchestrating a crime back in the Suarian Legation with his accomplyst.

I'm always a little leery of fake countries in entertainment. It highlights the fakeness of the show or movie. I doubt a real country would allow the LAPD to snoop all over the place. There are some unrealistic things going on in this one. Otherwise, this is a fine Columbo episode with an excellent villain.

Columbo inadvertently gets drawn into a highly political case, when a security guard is killed at The Suarian embassy, Columbo is quick to reduce that The First Minister is implicated, but his position makes him a tough nut to crack.

Better than I thought it was going to be, but perhaps not among my favourite storylines, production values and acting performances were excellent though.

It's a great game of Cat and Mouse, Hector Elizondo and Peter Falk play incredibly well of one another, deep down each know what's going on, but they're both having to put on a front.

The story is full of holes, and The Suarian relegation is more like a set of characters from The Champions or The Avengers. The biggest stumbling block, no way on Earth would Columbo be allowed to wander around freely, even back in 1975 it wouldn't have happened.

7/10.

When dealing with foreign embassies, there are protocols. The government, in their infinite wisdom, would never let someone like Columbo go prancing around the embassy, bugging people, getting in the way, making accusations. This is so unbelievable that the result, though fun, is beyond belief. Of course, he hooks up with the king, who joins him in getting the bad guy. Come on. Most of these shows have credible plots, though often a lot of Hollywood, but this is not one of them. Columbo goes beyond the pale in his bumbling, clumsiness. I know he is colorful, but he would have been thrown out about five minutes into the episode.