A lot of fun.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Before John Hughes became the Master of Absurd Physical comedy, there was Blake Edwards. Although bumbling Inspector Clouseau was introduced in this movie, make no mistake that David Niven, Robert Wagner, Capucine and Claudia Cardinale play major roles and greatly add to the romantic glitz and glamour portrayed in this lavishly produced film. Filmed on location mainly in Italy, but also in Paris and Hollywood. Beautiful cinematography and sparkling music from Henry Mancini. The nightclub "song" adds to the excitement and does not detract as such "numbers" usually do. Simone and The Princess dress up in elegant and sporty clothing. The formal parties are a knockout. Except for early James Bond, nobody dresses that way anymore! Two celebrated international thieves have the time of their lives seducing women, stealing paintings and the fabulous "Pink Panther" Diamond. Not as much slapstick here as later entries, that almost fail as they become too much about just The Inspector, so it may be a bit slow for younger viewers. It has been compared with Hitchcock's "To Catch a Thief". Follow this up with a viewing of "A Shot in the Dark" for a brilliant rainy afternoon double-feature. Great Pink Panther animated titles, too!

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

I could watch Peter Sellers fumble and bumble around all day, but this picture didn't live up to the expectation I had of it for so long. When the movie came out I recall it made quite a splash, giving birth to a cartoon series and movie sequels, and that Pink Panther theme is as recognizable as any movie theme that's out there. But as for the film, what a disappointment. All the 'under the bed' and 'hide in the closet' stuff got to be way too tedious for this viewer, and quite honestly, watching David Niven pucker up with Claudia Cardinale was a little more than I could take. The topper of course was Inspector Clouseau getting hauled off to the hoosegow mistakenly taken for The Phantom; I thought I stumbled into the wrong picture. By then it would have been too late to turn around of course. I'll have to take the advice of other reviewers here and catch up with one of the sequels.

For me, The Pink Panther is one of those films that seems to offer viewers what I like to call 'humour of the lowest common denominator'. It becomes evident very early on and throughout the entirety of the film that the only running gag that's on offer here relates to our bumbling and inept Inspector Clouseau. At sporadic intervals in the film we'll witness him trip over violins, walking into doors, fall over, have doors opened into him etc. It's something that is moderately amusing for about 5-10 minutes, but wears thin fast. Aside from sight gags the script offers no real laughs and it just shows a real laziness on behalf of the writers.The story involving 2 people (one of whom is simply known as The Phantom) trying to steal a precious jewel from a princess certainly held a lot of promise, but for the first 75 minutes it gets no real focus and it just seemed to veer from one pointless scene to another. I think a big failing with this film is that it spent most of its time showing Clouseau as being inept in a clumsy way rather than making him inept as a detective - the latter certainly would have made the film much funnier. There also isn't much of a mystery here which to me defeats the whole purpose of the film. Most of the dialogue is inane and irritating, the story is dull and unengaging and the turn of events at the end are both ridiculous and nonsensical.The only part of the film I found to be mildly amusing was the scene where Clouseau's wife is trying to prevent him finding the 2 men in their room. Like I say it was only mildly amusing and sadly, for me, the film failed to register any big laughs at all.If you like seeing cheap sight gags such as Peter Sellers falling over things, him walking into doors etc then you'll be well catered for here. However, if you prefer comedy where the humour stems from the characters and situations being funny then you're probably best avoiding this one.