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      A Shot in the Dark

      PG Released Jun 23, 1964 1 hr. 41 min. Comedy Mystery & Thriller List
      94% 33 Reviews Tomatometer 86% 10,000+ Ratings Audience Score Inspector Clouseau is called to a house where a murder was committed and finds that every clue points to the beautiful maid, Maria. As more people are killed, each set of clues always points to Maria, and Closeau continues to release her and escort her around town. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered May 07 Buy Now

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      A Shot in the Dark

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      Critics Consensus

      A Shot in the Dark is often regarded as the best of the Pink Panther sequels, and Peter Sellers gives a top-notch performance that makes slapstick buffoonery memorable.

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      Audience Reviews

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      David N 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/20/24 Full Review Jeff One of the absolute funniest movies of all time. Peter Sellers completely kills me. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/26/24 Full Review Alec B 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. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/10/24 Full Review ed m Some big laughs, but overall pretty weak. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 11/23/23 Full Review Marc Z 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." Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/08/23 Full Review Taylor L 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) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      A Shot in the Dark

      A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Sneak Attack A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Sneak Attack 2:14 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Billiards Buffoonery A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Billiards Buffoonery 2:13 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Naked Traffic Jam A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Naked Traffic Jam 1:11 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Naked Right Down To Your Mustache A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Naked Right Down To Your Mustache 2:36 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Everything I Do Is Carefully Planned A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Everything I Do Is Carefully Planned 2:07 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Dead Dudu A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Dead Dudu 2:18 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Nothing Matters But The Facts A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Nothing Matters But The Facts 2:27 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Dreyfus Cracks A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Dreyfus Cracks 1:41 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Right Off Cue A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Right Off Cue 2:27 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Clouseau Catches Fire A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Clouseau Catches Fire 2:55 View more videos

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      A Shot in the Dark

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      Critics Reviews

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      Dave Kehr Chicago Reader This isn't quite up to the original, but it has its moments. Aug 7, 2012 Full Review Bob McCabe Empire Magazine The original Pink Panther movie, and perhaps even the best. Sellars is, obviously, stellar. Rated: 4/5 Aug 7, 2012 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Sometimes the narrative is subordinated to individual bits of business and running gags but Sellers' skill as a comedian again is demonstrated. Jul 6, 2010 Full Review Roger Moore Movie Nation It still lands laughs even as it ages into a sort of comic mayhem-in-a-murder-mystery Ur text, its star one of the most mercurial ever to step in front of the camera and turn a blown take into a gem that still tickles through time. Rated: 3/4 Nov 24, 2022 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy This hysterical comedy remains the best of the Pink Panther franchise. Rated: 4/4 Nov 7, 2021 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins The perfect murder mystery spoof. Rated: 10/10 Aug 27, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Inspector Clouseau is called to a house where a murder was committed and finds that every clue points to the beautiful maid, Maria. As more people are killed, each set of clues always points to Maria, and Closeau continues to release her and escort her around town.
      Director
      Blake Edwards
      Screenwriter
      Marcel Achard, William Peter Blatty, Blake Edwards, Harry Kurnitz
      Distributor
      United Artists
      Production Co
      Mirisch Company
      Rating
      PG
      Genre
      Comedy, Mystery & Thriller
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jun 23, 1964, Wide
      Release Date (Streaming)
      May 4, 2017
      Aspect Ratio
      Scope (2.35:1)
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