How much was ad-lib, how much was improvised? How many takes were needed? How did the crew keep all the equipment from shaking as they laughed and laughed with every take? Peter Sellers digs into his sub-conscious genius with natural ease as he ad-libs, breaks things, falls over, makes a fool of himself and talks with a ridiculous French accent in every minute of this best-of-the-bunch Pink Panther flick, while there's another incredible performance almost alongside Sellers in the form of Herbert Lom's, driven-to-insanity, Commissioner Dreyfus who ends up on a psychiatrist's couch after cutting his finger off while chopping off the end of his cigar and then inadvertently stabbing himself with a letter opener- as Clouseau's bungling continues to send Commissioner Dreyfus over the edge. Best scene is in his office when an exasperated Dreyfus is exiling the hapless Clouseau to the French outpost of Martinique. "This is personal, isn't it?" asks Sellers. "Yes, it is! Deeply! I hate you! Every bit of you!" barks Lom. Dreyfus then loses it even further by shouting at Sellers to leave his office. "Get out!" shouts Dreyfus. "You want me to leave?" replies Sellers. Doh!!! And who came up with the idea of Cato, Clouseau's manservant, who is told by Sellers to attack him whenever he least expects it- purely to keep Clouseau's karate skills up to speed. Just brilliant!

The detective who is seemingly a complete embicil somehow solves every mystery, every crime while hilariously wrecking havoc like only Petter Sellers can.

This Clouseau movie was great. Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Elke Sommer, Burt Kwouk, Graham Stark, and the rest of the cast did a great job in this movie. The plot of the movie was entertaining and humorous. It's a funny crime story about a woman accused of murder. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's a must see.

I prefer this film over the prior (first) film of the series, mainly because Ins Clouseau has a stronger presence which ups the comedy element and fun.

One of the absolute funniest movies of all time. Peter Sellers completely kills me.

Putting Clouseau front and center forced Sellers and Edwards to clearly define his particular buffoonery, setting up scenarios and character interactions that would be repeated for several movies (Herbert Lom's addition is particularly inspired). I believe that this is the series at its best as Sellers' antics stand out a little more when they are fresh and when there is still some semblance of reality around him.

Some big laughs, but overall pretty weak.

This is my favorite of the The Pink Panther series. Unlike the prior installment, A Shot In The Dark elevates Clouseau to the main character in the film. He is called upon to investigate the murder of a series of members of the staff of the Ballon Family in France, possibly at the hand of the Maid, played by Elke Sommer. This film introduced Herbert Lom in the role of Commissioner Dreyfus, the frustrated leader of the French Police, on the verge of a breakdown. Sellers is masterful in his refusal to break character, ever. Edwards does a terrific job in the Director's chair. The comedic timing is great. Kato is a great addition, as is the introduction of "master of disguise."

Almost nobody ever laughs at Inspector Jacques Clouseau. He's literally too absurd for that. Peter Sellers remains the greatest physical comedian since the end of the Silent Era, and A Shot in the Dark is one of his great accomplishments in an iconic role. People are right when they suggest that comedy is more difficult to pull off than drama, it takes so much skill to play someone this completely inept with nothing but a straight face. The film's plot is a bit convoluted and has got quite a few murders for a movie about a buffoon, but the Pink Panther film series has never been about the whodunnit as much as it has been about the situational humor, and A Shot in the Dark delivers in spades on that front. There's too many great gags to count, and none of them would work if Sellers didn't portray Clouseau with just the right blend of deadpan seriousness and ineptitude; they're not all one-shots either, with the constant poorly selected disguises and the billiards game being top examples of keeping a gag going strong without wearing thin. Didn't care about the loose murderer, I wanted more people to die so I could see how Clouseau was going to fumble his next handoff. Possibly the best of the Pink Panther series. (4/5)

This is the best Pink Panther film, A SHOT IN THE DARK (1964). It is funny whimsical and mysterious. The comedy works because it's played completely straight and peter sellers are incredible. The base and the set up of the murder is nice break from the rest of the series. The scenes that play out best are Hercules and Peters or The Dating Sequence or the Nudest Colony it is all memorable and great. The supporting cast and the way they compose the scenes from serious to dry to slapstick just works, so well. Holds up and is brightly funny.

I personally prefer the prequel, but I liked the last twist of this.

This is one of the funnier Pink Panther films, even though it isn't obvious from the title that it is a Pink Panther film. I believe it's the first outing for Jack Clouseau, featuring the animated cartoon detective during the title sequence. the comedy is slapstick and thus visual in nature - I certainly enjoyed it. It may be a bit basic for some but I felt quite entertained by it. I particularly enjoyed seeing Charles frustration at Clouseau continuing to be involved in the criminial investigation. I like Clouseau's quips and the characters and their interactions with one another were both amusing and entertaining and so I would recommend it, yes.

Peter Sellers's physical comedy is always on point along with his chemistry with Herbert Lom. I grew up on some Pink Panther films as a kid and would've never imagined that I'd love them as an adult with getting the humor more and be into old British comedies. Can't forget about the ironically hilariously genius stupidity of inspector Clouseau!

The movie was made right after the original Pink Panther when Blake Edwards saw who stole the show in it. He not only concentrated on Clouseau, but he made the ideal choice of Herbert Lom as Clouseau's foil, and made an over-the-top but clever plot where bodies pile up and Maria Gambrelli is the obvious suspect, but Clouseau refuses to believe it, not only because he fell in love with her but because he thinks she can lead him to the real murderer. There is hardly a dull moment in the movie, with the nudist colony scene, the recital scene where he falls into the pool, and the argument toward the end being especially hilarious. The best of the series without question.

Putting Clouseau front and center forced Sellers and Edwards to clearly define his particular buffoonery, setting up scenarios and character interactions that would be repeated for several movies (Herbert Lom's addition is particularly inspired). I believe that this is the series at its best as Sellers' antics stand out a little more when they are fresh and when there is still some semblance of reality around him.

Watched this last night with my mom. Such a funny movie and Peter Sellers is ridiculous in the best way. Lots of physical comedy and gags which might seem a bit dated but I found it charming.

it was good overall with some mild humour as Peter Sellers & Elke Sommer made this movie work.

That beginning shot was wonderfully done. It was almost like watching a live play. And it was one consecutive shot. It was interesting to watch how all the characters interact with one another and how it almost seems like everyone is unfaithful to their partners. Wow, that opening was done beautifully and not a single word was uttered. I was not expecting that gunshot. That was a great surprise. Peter Sellers is so funny. He's mastered the art of physical comedy. He always picks good roles especially in Kubrick's films. That blonde is something else. A combination of cute but confident and sexy at the same time. As big headed and sure of himself as Clouseau is, it's funny to see how clumsy he is as well. That ending. That's what I call karmic justice. This movie was fucking hilarious. I was laughing throughout the whole movie. All the subtleties, all the physical comedy and all the witty clever moments. Seeing the fun relationship between Sellers and Sommer (the cute blonde) was very charming and entertaining to watch. This was a great addition to the Pink Panther series and probably the best one.

Absolutely wonderful. The finest of The Pink Panther films with bumbling detective Closeau attempting to solve a murder at a millionaire's estate with the usual results all the while wooing the chief suspect and being stalked by an equally inept and unidentified would-be assassin.

I'm all about true crime but the fact that these people get off on dead bodies, and if someone didn't did is so disgusting to me. Im the nosiest but this just makes me sick that people are dissatisfied when there are no dead bodies. Just sick