A Shot in the Dark

This, along with Dr. Strangelove, represents Peter Sellers at his peak; this is the best of the Pink Panther series, and a big part of that is Herbert Lom as Chief Inspector Dreyfus. He's a master of the slow burn, and a perfect foil for Sellers' Clouseau. Also good: Clouseau's workout partner Cato (once he pops up the second or third time).

"Give me ten guys like Closeau and I could destroy the world!"

Significantly better, faster, funnier, sexier and less mean-spirited than The Pink Panther. If there were any potential in this series, it was probably all realized in this one film. I'm sure the rest of the series was just victory laps and paychecks, but this one is essential.

Dreary labored sequel to a film that isn't that funny anyway.

Sellers is even better when he has a script to work with.

A step up from the first movie and benefits from letting Sellers take center stage. Still has numerous drawn-out gags that don't land, like the entire date montage that runs triple as long as it needs to and all of the nudist colony stuff, and Edward's presentation choices still leave so much to be desired. I have found his direction consistently lacking, and that includes Breakfast at Tiffany's

Wonderful movie, leagues better than the first one.

Arguably a spin-off rather than a sequel, being the only of the films to not include "Pink Panther" in the title, and also being an adaptation of a play previously unconnected to the franchise (L'Idiote by Marcel Achard). Either way, it's an excellent follow on and, along with the first film, the only other contender for best in the series.

It's amazing the shift in tone watching the first Pink Panther film to the second, as it has suddenly embraced it's slapstick side. This is a fantastic, classic mystery that, apart from being silly, is actually pretty smart under the surface. I recommend this one

Slightly funnier than 'The Pink Panther', entirely due to the greater presence of Sellers as Clouseau (his repeatedly getting arrested did make me laugh). But still a slow and boring film in parts, and often relying on cheap jokes to get a laugh (the nudist colony sequence is an example). Elke Sommer as Maria Gambrelli is very cute, but Henry Lom as the long-suffering Commissioner Dreyfus is just annoying.

Although it's just a quick-turnaround parody of Poirot meant to take advantage of the unexpected popularity of Sellers' performance in Pink Panther, this is still the best in the series. Sellers, Lom, and Kwouk are all brilliant. Some of the scenes work better than others but it's all fun.

A-

Best Clouseau!

Not really sure why this is considered funny. Repetitive gags of tempered absurdity. I was nodding off midway through the movie and it was a chore to finish.

Hilarious farce is probably the best produced and constructed 'Panther/Clouseau' film - Sellers and Lom both have moments of superb slapstick comedy, and director Edwards shows an uncanny knack for staging gags for the 2.35 ratio - both large scale and intimate (Dreyfus' cigar trimmer).

A cute farce that is not particularly funny or well executed. For the time I'm sure it was great, 50 years later it's weak sauce.

funny. need to rewatch these to give them all proper ratings as unique films.

My younger mind went "what? huh? a Pink Panther film WITHOUT the words Pink Panther? fuck this!" then I saw the film Thing is, when I saw it, I have no sour memories of it, so it deserves a rewatch

A hilarious forgotten classic that doesn't have "Pink Panther" in the title so people forget it exists. This is definitely my favorite Pink Panther movie, with a great combination of clever, intelligent laughs, and zany, random Sellers slapstick.

This sharp, enjoyable mystery comedy mingling slapstick, more refined humor, depression and disparagement of humanity is still a plodding affair.

Peter Sellers gives an outstanding hilarious performance in one of his most famous characters in this movie. There are many really funny moments, characters and scenes. Herbert Lom is also great in a supporting role. I highly recommend this hilarious comedy.

Not funny, just annoying.

An absurd farce of a detective story. Sellers' Clouseau is just so charming in his ridiculousness. The best Pink Panther film.

I felt pretty much the same about this film as I did about The Pink Panther (1963). Peter Sellers is great, and the rest of the cast are fine. I had a few laughs, but honestly, I think a lot of humour in these films is just too outdated for me. There's just too much slapstick stuff that doesn't work. There were some fun gags and situations and I loved the idea of Clouseau protecting this woman just because he's attracted to her, but ultimately, it's not my favourite kind of comedy.

* Casting, Acting : 5 * Script : 2 * Directing, Aura : 5 * Ease of Viewing : 2 * Naked Eye : 3

Terrible script and jokes. Sellers is the only good thing about this shoddy sequel. It'll be a long time, if ever, before I revisit the series as I couldn't wait for this to end. A shame because I did mildly enjoy 'The Pink Panther'.

Absurdly entertaining. Sellers, while ridiculous, is charming. The sight gags as he keeps getting arrested and the bits where the commissioner keeps injuring himself are so much fun. I was caught off guard by the finale as it unraveled into oddity but it worked within the established framework within the film.

This unfairly gets overlooked. I found it to be a very nice outing.

This movie is intentionally ridiculous, farsical and just a little too stupid. The inspector is basically a walking disaster, as clumsy as a person can get, and arrogant, even if his conclusions and methods are hopelessly misguided, he somehow succeeds inspite of himself. I could have done without his crazy boss, that was just lame and unbelievable.

Occasionally very funny but mostly the movie was far too silly for my taste. Herbert Lom was fantastic.

It has like 2-3 really funny scenes, 3 well-made scenes, and a great ending, but the rest [and I'm talking about approx. 75% of the whole] is just boring and weak.

Probably the best Panther film. Sellers was supurb.

Clouseau had stolen the show in "The Pink Panther" (1963), and with "A Shot in the Dark" he rightfully gets his own film. Cue perfectly executed gags, classic dialogues, fantastic music and credits, prominent theatricality, an interesting mystery, a great ensemble that includes the franchise debut of the excellent recurring characters Dreyfus, Cato and François as well as MVP Graham Stark, and of course above all the typically incredible Peter Sellers, and all sorts of timeless hilarity ensues.

The best Pink Panther film.

Never has slapstick had such a comedic brilliance than in the Pink Panther movies. Not that the film doesn't have its share of more intelligent laughs, either. The Inspector Clouseau vs Chief inspector Dreyfus dialogue is some of the finest comedy in the world.

Slow to start but it delivers consistent laughs and by the end everything Clouseau says gets a laugh.

This movie focused a lot more on Peter Sellers' character, Inspector Clouseau, than the previous movie did. The only problem is that his antics and Mr. Magoo-like qualities are now kind of stale. The same jokes and pratfalls are used ad nausium, and it made me long for a better plot. The movie definitely had it's moments, but it wasn't that great.

Very good. The screenplay builds both suspense and humor masterfully and Sellers delivers what it takes to bring it to life. Clouseau at perhaps his most lovable.

Have you been swimming?

It gets silly...

Hilarious, and a classic. Peter Sellers IS Clouseau and I could watch his successful bumblings for days.

Sellers is a master.

Doubtlessly the best of the Pink Panther films. Hilarious.

funny but dated

The best of the original three. Not like it's saying much, but it is the best.

Peter Sellers gives a brilliant comedic performance, Henry Mancini's music is characteristically fabulous, and Blake Edwards is a colorful director. As for the movie itself, it's atleast as cute as The Pink Panther, and it's a bit funnier. It still isn't THAT funny, but eh, it passes the time.

Not bad.