The Conspirators
- Episode aired May 13, 1978
- TV-PG
- 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
An IRA terrorist executes an arms dealer he considers traitorous; Lt. Columbo is on the case.An IRA terrorist executes an arms dealer he considers traitorous; Lt. Columbo is on the case.An IRA terrorist executes an arms dealer he considers traitorous; Lt. Columbo is on the case.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is the last episode from the original series produced by NBC. It wasn't until 1989 that the series would be picked up again and continue on its eighth season onward produced by ABC.
- GoofsDevlin declares that he is "a boy from the backstreets of Belfast", but his accent is a Southern Irish one, quite unlike that of Belfast in Northern Ireland. Also, when playing darts, he refers to a pub in "Londonderry". A genuine Irish Republican would never refer to the city by that name, and would call it "Derry".
- Quotes
Joe Devlin: You see, at a very early age I decided to be me own master and the servant of no one, and that left two promising possibilities: either to be a king or a poet. Now, as Ireland had her fill of kings, I clearly saw I had to educate meself to a way of words, so I took to drink immediately, fell in love at every opportunity, and avoided the schoolroom like the plague. I advise you to do the same.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Svengoolie: Valley of the Dragons (2019)
- SoundtracksWhiskey in the Jar
(uncredited)
Traditional Irish folk song
Instrumental version heard in pub
Featured review
"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.
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.
helpful•112
- J. Spurlin
- Feb 19, 2007
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Waffen des Bösen
- Filming locations
- Radio station KGIL, San Fernando, California, USA(Late in the episode, Clive Revill is seen being interviewed on the radio by Carole Hemingway, and then in the station parking lot, makes a gun deal. Both scenes were shot at KGIL)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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