Verdict
Summary
Overlong at nearly a full two hours, making room for a musical number, an animation sequence, and lots of filler, but still somehow an enduring comedy classic, Blake Edwards’ The Pink Panther still manages to make me laugh hard even after at least a half a dozen watches over the years. The climax involving a car chase with guys in gorilla suits, a knight in shining armor, a court jester, and a zebra is the best gag in the movie and gets me rolling in tears every time. The movie itself is fluffy and is basically the equivalent of a calorie-packed pastry that tastes like whipped cream, but has almost no heft or nutrition. It’s purely a movie to relax to, and it’s easy on the eyes.
Plot:
A clueless inspector tries catching the notorious “Phantom” thief who is out to steal the gorgeous Pink Panther jewel.
Review:
A super suave and uncatchable thief known only as The Phantom sets his (or her) sights on stealing the highly publicized jewel known as The Pink Panther, which is owned by the beautiful Princess Dala (Claudia Cardinale) who is staying in a lush European ski resort town where her visit is celebrated by the press and the hoi polloi. Knowing that The Phantom is going to try to steal the jewel, an inspector named Clouseau (Peter Sellers) shows up with other detectives to try to trap the thief, but Clouseau is a hopeless case of terminal clumsiness and cluelessness. His wife (played by Capucine) is lovers with The Phantom, who moonlights as a playboy extraordinaire named Sir Charles (David Niven), and he plans on seducing Princess Dala, while also trying to show his nephew (Robert Wagner) the ropes on how to steal – not just diamonds, but hearts too. When a huge costume party is organized in honor of the princess, that’s when The Phantom and his nephew will strike, but it will also be Clouseau’s big moment to shine … except he’s a total clutz and ruins everything.
Overlong at nearly a full two hours, making room for a musical number, an animation sequence, and lots of filler, but still somehow an enduring comedy classic, Blake Edwards’ The Pink Panther still manages to make me laugh hard even after at least a half a dozen watches over the years. The climax involving a car chase with guys in gorilla suits, a knight in shining armor, a court jester, and a zebra is the best gag in the movie and gets me rolling in tears every time. The movie itself is fluffy and is basically the equivalent of a calorie-packed pastry that tastes like whipped cream, but has almost no heft or nutrition. It’s purely a movie to relax to, and it’s easy on the eyes. Sellers is a hoot, while everyone else merely coasts through it, all while Henry Mancini’s jazzy score and songs make the entire experience a lounge affair. Followed by A Shot in the Dark, and then seven more official sequels.
Kino Lorber brings the original The Pink Panther to 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray in a two-disc combo set. The film has likely never looked or sounded better in a new 4K scan, upping the ante for collectors and fans of the franchise. Previous special features from other editions are ported over, including an audio commentary by the late Edwards, plus two interviews with Robert Wagner and Claudia Cardinale, who recently passed away. There’s also a documentary, three more featurettes, and the trailer, plus a two-sides sleeve and a slipcover.
