The Pink Panther (1964)

I love this movie so much

Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

This is the first time I've watched the original "Pink Panther" and I'm sad to say that I feel letdown. The film is simply not that funny. I'd say it's mildly amusing a best. I have nothing against the performances because they are alright. The real issue is that the whole thing ends up being dull and uninteresting. We spend so much time with weird seduction scenes, song numbers and people talking about convoluted plots. We get no real wit or fun slapstick. It could in the very least have been interesting or engaging when it comes to the criminal's plan. But, it's not. It's so dull I could barely follow it. The film picks up and begins to get better as it nears the third act. That's when Inspector Clouseau finally starts investigating. It's OK, because you want him to succeed figuring out the case. He's completely clueless and that's the joke. But his character is also very like-able because he has good intentions. The third act is sadly not enough to make up for the drawn out unfunny sequences you have to get through in the first two acts.I enjoy the musical score and the set pieces. But, why do we have to spend so much time in the bedroom sets? None of it was funny or clever. I'll be honest. I didn't laugh once during the entire movie. And the only thing I wanted was a humorous crime caper, but instead I got David Niven socializing on vacation. It's only worth checking out if you are curious about how this series began and evolved over time. They definitely struggled when deciding what type of movie they wanted to make. From what I hear, the series really found itself in the second film. I am looking forward to seeing that one. I can just never see myself watching the original ever again. And if I had to, I'd only watch Peter Sellers' scenes. It's OK at best, but not funny. I wanted to like it.

I hadn't seen any of the other Pink Panther movies before this one. My understanding was that they were goofy slapstick comedies staring Peter Sellers, who I knew from Dr Strangelove, which is one of my all time favorite movies. However, this movie was more of a romantic comedy with some slapstick and situational gags thrown in. Most of the jokes didn't really land well for me. I felt like I had seen these jokes done much better many times before in movies that have come out since The Pink Panther. Probably the only two gags I got a kick out of were the men hiding in the room and the gorilla mirror. However, like I said before, I've seen these jokes done more effectively in other movies. Apart from the comedic aspects of the movie, I didn't really find the story, characters or dialogue all that compelling or interesting. Combine that with a lack of many laugh out loud moments and I would have to say I found this movie disappointing. On the other hand, the biggest positive to come from this movie would have to be the iconic theme song. Anyway, I wouldn't say that this is a bad movie, it just isn't that good, in my opinion. 5/10Recommended for those that enjoy cartoon intros, clumsy french policemen, suave womanizing cat burglars, manipulative female seductresses, breaking things, spilling things, tripping over things, falling off of things, unreliable door handles, high speed costumed pursuits......but that's just like, my opinion, man# Of Times Watched: Once

The Pink Panther (1963): Dir: Blake Edwards / Cast: Peter Sellers, David Nevin, Robert Wagner, Claudia Cardinale, Capucine: Hilarious detective story about the unordinary as Inspector Clouseau is summoned to catch a jewel thief known as the Phantom who will target the famous Pink Panther diamond. Director Blake Edwards is a genius with slapstick pratfalls and the sight jokes are on target. This is quite a different comedy from his masterful work in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Peter Sellers plays Clouseau as someone so sure of what is so wrong but one wonders whether justice was served in the conclusion. His wife is involved with the Phantom, which plays just out of plain view. David Niven plays the Phantom who sadistically dazzles the Princess and outsmarts common sense. Claudia Cardinale plays Princess Dala who may or may not be what she seems. Robert Wagner steals scenes as Nevin's nephew that realizing that his uncle is the Phantom. Of course, he too sets his sights on the jewel as well. Capucine plays Clouseau's wife who is having an affair practically in front of him much to his unawareness to it all. Fine slapstick viewing marred by a rather corrupt conclusion but that will not hinder the humour. The winter setting provide great visual appeal and the art direction is superb. It is a pointless romp that would be known for an animated character. Score: 7 / 10

As a child, Princess Dala was given the Pink Panther diamond (named for a flaw in the stone) from her father, the Shah of Lugash. In Rome, jewel thief The Phantom makes a big score. In Paris, Simone (Capucine) tries to fence the jewels and is almost caught. Bumbling French police inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) is desperate to catch The Phantom but he doesn't know his wife Simone is involved. In Cortina D'Ampezzo, Princess Dala (Claudia Cardinale) is vacationing. Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) is also there who is secretly The Phantom. His American playboy nephew George Lytton (Robert Wagner) is in debt to thugs, coning his way through life, and also plans to steal the jewel. Clouseau arrives with his wife.Clouseau is the break out character. Sellers steals the movie from Niven. The comedy works when Sellers is on the screen but the movie is flat without him. Simone is also not a particularly good comedic partner for him. She's more of a wet blanket. The audience has to wait for the second movie 'A Shot in the Dark' before Clouseau becomes the lead, and we get Dreyfus and Kato. At least, this first one introduces Clouseau to the world.