The Brilliant Ending of 'Any Old Port in a Storm' | Columbo

Columbo drives Adrian Carsini (Donald Pleasence) away from his winery to a life behind bars.

Clip from Season 3, Episode 2 "Any Old Port in a Storm" - A suave wine connoisseur commits fratricide when he discovers his brother plans to sell the family winery.

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[baox]

You know, I love when Columbo shows just, kindness to the murderers he comes across. He recognizes that sometimes, people just feel trapped and threatened, and like a cornered animal they lash out to protect themselves or what they love. And for those killers, he always shows them kindness, not forgiveness because murder is murder, but kindness and understanding.

[markofcain]

A masterstroke of acting by Donald Pleasence. He played Carsini as a man with a short fuse, ill-tempered at times. In this final scene though, the fact that he had to destroy what was basically his life's work as well as the fact that he actually liked Columbo made him react with a chuckle at himself after realizing he gave himself away.
Perfect ending, made the character whole.

[arthuralford]

This is one of the better endings, and it's due to the actors. Donald Pleasence and Peter Falk gave nuanced, brilliantly performed characters and I wish they'd have used Pleasence in another episode

[jonathanswift]

This murderer was the one that Columbo admired the most. You could tell they both liked each other, despite being on opposite sides of the law. Also note that Pleasance is holding the wine glass correctly, by the stem, as any wine connoisseur would. Columbo holds it by the top of the glass. The reason for holding it by the stem is to avoid the body heat of the hands warming up the wine, slightly altering the taste. Columbo just doesn't know this, and Pleasance just doesn't care at that point.

[shelbyherring]

"Pity. I would have liked it to have been a record."

That entire excahnge beforehand illustrates everything you need to know about these two characters: Carsini is an extravagant perfectionist (wanting to be undone by some extreme factor he didn't take into account) and Columbo is so thorough and understanding he even looked up weather data for the last century just because he knew Carsini would probably ask about it.

[Marcsharp]

There was clearly genuine respect between the two characters, That's why this is my favourite episode.

[Barpoint]

I remember watching this with my parents back in 1973 when it was first broadcast. We all thought it was the best-ever episode of Columbo, and I still feel the same way today.

[kathconserv]

This killer was rated the one the audience felt most compassion for.

[zsifk]

"Freedom is purely relative". True statement if I ever heard one.

[kradanbandicootovich]

The only murderer I can genuinely see Columbo visiting in the prison. Briliant indeed

[frankrizzo]

This is one of my all-time favorite episodes I just love the chemistry between Peter Falk and Donald Pleasence. May they both Rip🙏

[houinkyoma]

I love the little detail that he actually did look up the weather records and had the answer right there. 🤣
Peter Falk or Columbo ... both where unbeatable.

[mylifentimes]

A bittersweet ending. I remember this particular ending so vividly. Such mutual respect for each other in these two characters, understanding and most of all admiration for Wine!

[EleventhFloorBelfry]

I love it when he asks about the weather and if it was some kind of record, as you can just sense his brain starting to process that he's been caught for real.

[Tristinfate]

It is so awesome that Columbo sometimes gets attached to the killers and really respects them, not the murderer part, but the person behind it.

[christianhagen]

„I guess … freedom is purely relative…“ To me that‘s my favorite line from the whole show. The way Donald Pleasance presented that line was absolutely brillant, somewhere between disillusion, despair and relief altogether, leading to him as one of the few villains to feel a little bit sorry for.

[michaelfisher]

One of the MANY great things about Lt. Columbo was how respectful and non confrontational he was with his suspects. ALWAYS called them "sir" or "mame" even when arresting them. My Dad always admired that quality. (Of course his suspects were never the dregs of society.) I wish real cops would have taken their cues from "Columbo" instead of the likes of "Elliot Stabler" and such.

[kali]

That is what's wonderful about Columbo. When he identifies with his prey, understands what happened, understands him, Columbo's empathy is just wonderful. Donald Pleasence's Carsini is one; Johnny Cash's Tommy Brown is another.

And when Columbo has a reason to despise or even hate his prey, his anger is just as palpable.

[neilmanhard]

This is my favorite Columbo episode. It also has one of favorite lines. When Donald Pleasance said "Marino Borthers!? Marino Brothers!? They don't make good wine. They don't even make good mouthwash!" Which is what I say whenever I encounter sub-par wine.

In my opinion, for whatever it's worth, I consider this the best episode in the best television series ever aired. "Columbo" is the show that all television shows should be judged.

[actioncom]

While the villains in Columbo always motivate him to learn new things, this one has the distinction of giving Columbo some positive growth.
In this case, embracing the Italian wine heritage.