Actor Peter Falk has died at the age of 83. He was best known for playing the disheveled homicide detective who was the central character in the ’70s television series Columbo, but my favorite role of his was in the 1987 Wim Wenders movie Wings of Desire. In that film, he plays himself, actor Peter Falk, who seems as rumpled and trustworthy as Lieutenant Columbo of TV. But this Peter Falk is a former angel who gave up immortality to become human, even though that means he’ll experience illness and death. Falk can’t see conflicted angel Damiel (Bruno Ganz) observing him, but he senses Damiel’s presence and encourages him to experience the pleasures of life too:
“I wish I could see your face. Just look into your eyes and tell you how good it is to be here. Just to touch something. To smoke and have coffee, and if you do them together – it’s fantastic! or to draw, you know, to take a pencil and you make a dark line, then you make a light line, and together it’s a good line. Or when your hands are cold and you rub them, like so, together. See that’s good, that feels good. There’s so many good things…”
I saw that movie in the theater when it first came out. When Falk was revealed to be an ex-angel, everyone around me said, “Oh!” as in “Of course!” Peter Falk as an angel should have been as obvious to us as George Burns as God. There was no one better suited for the part.
As Peter wings his way home to rejoin his angel friends, take a few minutes to enjoy his performance in Wings of Desire. You’ll never try on a hat the same way again.
I’ll have to see this. I still think of him as the grandfather in The Princess Bride.
It’s a beautiful movie! Definitely see it.
A lovely tribute.
I was a big Columbo fan.
I’ve only seen one Wenders film — Buena Vista Social Club. Wings of Desire sounds really wonderful. Thank you for the video treat — it’s going in the netflix cue right now.
Let me know what you think!
We finally saw it over the weekend and it was great. The hat scene is wonderful. Angel angst, angels taking on human form and discovering other ex angels, all good stuff. And Peter Falk was perfect in the part.
So glad you liked it.
I loved him as Columbo, but thought he was quite adorable in The Princess Bride (one of my favorite movies ever). RIP.
RIP Peter Falk. I loved Columbo as a child..’and another thing..’
I must re-watch Wings of Desire.
I’ve watched that movie 3 times and it just doesn’t resonate for me. But one cannot help to be drawn in by Falk’s performance. Lovely post…
I think it was on my second viewing that I liked it!
I saw Wings of Desire before I ever saw Columbo, or Peter Falk in any other role for that matter – so for me I always just thought of him as actually being an ex-angel, for reals. Which is kind of a lovely way to think of someone.
I agree 🙂
He was a true character I can heartily recommend his book ‘ Just one more thing’. It’s a series of anecdotes rather than a biography. His humour really comes out in it. RIP Peter x
I was sad to hear about this. He always had a certain understated class and great screen presence.
Aw Wendy, what a sweet post. My Granddad simply loves Peter Falk. He watches nothing but Colombo. That reminds me… I gotta call my Granddad!
I loved him in this movie though my favorite is The In-Laws. Hilariousness.
This really makes me want to check out Wings of Desire.
one of my absolute favorite movies ever. peter falk was a part of one of my “ex” families, the cassavetes. i really miss hanging out at gena’s house with all of john’s (do you like that? me calling him by first name. that’s right!) friends. again…. why didn’t i marry that guy? haha…
That’s one of my favourite movies. 🙂 I loved Peter Falk in Columbo too (of course).
It so good to see websites like these paying tributes to a wonderful actor.
Peter falk put his heart and soul into acting as acting was a part of him as this reflected in his Emmy awards and nominations …
he was very attractive and had alot of charm & charisma..and warmth personality and character
as this reflected in the roles he ever took in films.
i just seen Husbands and mikey & Nicky both starring Peter Falk….
Peter is well loved and missed by all and his in Heaven now resting but he made his mark on this world
and has left us with so many good films he starred in
ah esp Columbo another good character he got into and played it to a T”!
I love the heading of this blog its so apt
Peter to me will always be the attractive young actor
with charm and charisma good sense of humour aswell..
watch Dick Cavvett show Peter there in 1970 with John and Ben …
Love and Light
Earth Angel
This very well put Earth Angel
this is a very lovely tribute to s fine actor indeed
Peter did put his heart and soul into acting
as another Earth Angels we felt we need to back you up
and this site is so apt
Ia seen images of peter Falk spread across the internet on blogs where his age and illness is up for dicussion
oh dear oh dea they need to a take a leaf out of this person book who started this blog and follow
well done indeed,.. very well done
love and light
Pete And Mike xx