A Case of Immunity
- Episode aired Oct 12, 1975
- TV-PG
- 1h 10m
The first secretary to the Suarian king may have immunity from the consequences of committing murder, but Lt. Columbo is wilier than any foreign diplomat.The first secretary to the Suarian king may have immunity from the consequences of committing murder, but Lt. Columbo is wilier than any foreign diplomat.The first secretary to the Suarian king may have immunity from the consequences of committing murder, but Lt. Columbo is wilier than any foreign diplomat.
Photos
- Xenia
- (as Xenia Gratsos)
- Youseff Alafa
- (as Andre Lawrence)
- Party Guest
- (uncredited)
- Police Officer
- (uncredited)
- Party Guest
- (uncredited)
- Party Guest
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- Trivia(at around 53 mins) Jeff Goldblum is an extra in the crowd demonstrating in the scene outside of the legation. This can be seen on the on the PlayBack U.K. DVD.
- GoofsWhen Columbo is discussing the murder scene of the Security Chief with Hassan Salah, he states that there was no sign of a struggle. However, the opening scene showed Rachman Habib overturning chairs, furniture, etc., in the room.
However, signs of struggle mean physical evidence on the body of the deceased that they struggled and fought. There are no signs of struggle on his body. And as Columbo noticed, he did not even reach for his gun.
- Quotes
Lt. Columbo: [as Hassan removes an exquisite vase form the lieutenant's hands] This is a beautiful piece, sir. You know, we have one just like this back on the dining room table in our house. Almost the same design.
Hassan Salah: Uh, this is third century; it's worth several thousand dollars.
Lt. Columbo: No kidding. You know, I think my wife got ours at the farmer's market. Well, I guess ours is just a copy.
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.
- The Welsh Raging Bull
- Dec 29, 2002
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Mord in der Botschaft
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro