i really like patrick mcgoohan most other direct columbo movie really much and since his directing style certainly give the movie something extra . however he go too far with this movie . the directing and story telling in general be different from the usual columbo movie formula . it a real slow move movie and in which the killer himself also isn not know to the viewer this time and until of course the very end . it obvious they want to try something different for the columbo series and a they try numerous time before and after this movie as well . funny though that they always go back to the usual columbo style we all be so accustomed to . really problem with this movie be it pacing . it annoyingly slow . sequence seem to go on for ever without get to it point . it really make you wonder why the movie wasn not provide with any more pace . at one point lt. columbo go into a trance . the actual movie itself also really feel like it go into a trance though . it really doesn not make this movie a pleasant one to watch . it not like the story be anything too bad and or the approach of not reveal who the killer be and or how the murder be commit and until the very end and be a bad one but it just doesn not work out with this type of direct approach a get pick by patrick mcgoohan and who be probably also well know and respect a an actor than a director really . one thing mcgoohan still do right though be the movie it humor . he be one of those director who understand the columbo character well and know how to throw in the right kind of relieve humor and involve the character . though be a close personal friend of peter falk and he probably give him a bit too much room though to do his comedy thing and since he definitely go a bit over the top with it at time . oh well and at least he still probably have lot of fun with it . poor robert vaughn . he a great actor but the columbo movie he have star in just aren not among the great . he deserve well and also since he seem really like an actor who be the right guy for play these type of role in these type of movie . tiresome off boat columbo entry . it have a good typical columbo end though . 4/10 .