Der rosarote Panther kehrt zurück

Like two films in one: Half silly slapstick romp, half straightforward, non-comedic (though still light-hearted) crime caper.

The former boasts Peter Sellers (brilliant as always) reprising his role as the fantastically inept Inspector Clouseau. The latter features Christopher Plummer as the suave, retired jewel thief out to clear his name when he becomes prime suspect in the disappearance of the diamond of the movie's title.

The Sellers half is great, with many fine, extended sight gags. But Plummer's half - while beautifully lensed on location in scenic Morocco - is sometimes exciting but too often tedious. You keep waiting to jump back to Sellers.

So overall it's a mixed bag - alternately funny and slow. But Edwards remains a fine writer (he co-wrote the screenplay) and a master of composition and staging. The movie looks terrific - as does Catherine Schell as Plummer's sophisticated wife with some secrets of her own.

My score card: Sellers' half rates an A. Plummer's half, C+.

After the famous Pink Panther diamond is stolen from a museum in the fictional Middle Eastern country of Lugash, the Shah requests the services of "Inspector Clouseau" (Peter Sellers) to find the culprits and recover the lost gem. Needless to say, this distresses "Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus" (Herbert Lom) to no end as he is fully aware of how incompetent Inspector Clouseau actually is and only moments before had placed him on an extended suspension for yet another bungled assignment. Regardless, Chief Inspector Dreyfus is forced to put Inspector Clouseau on the case and the first person he suspects is none other than the notorious jewel thief "Sir Charles Litton" (Christopher Plummer) who has long since retired. So while Inspector Clouseau dons a disguise to secretly search through his house, Sir Charles Litton travels to Lugash to find the actual culprit in order to clear his name. In the meantime, Chief Inspector Dreyfus becomes even more incensed each time he receives a report regarding yet another problem resulting from Inspector Clouseau's incompetence. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that I enjoyed this particular film and found it to be one of the better additions to the Pink Panther series. I especially liked the scene at a nightclub where Catherine Schell (as "Lady Claudine Litton") appeared to genuinely enjoy Peter Seller's comedic performance. Be that as it may, I recommend this picture to all viewers who might be interested in a comedy of this sort and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.

"The Return of the Pink Panther" is the fourth movie in the "Pink Panther" franchise, marking Peter Sellers' return to what must be his signature role, Inspector Jacques Clouseau. Previously, Alan Arkin had stepped into his shoes for one movie, apparently with bad results. In "Return," the fabled Pink Panther diamond is again stolen, with the Phantom's calling card monogrammed glove left as a clue. Clouseau goes back on the case, as does Sir Charles Lytton (Christopher Plummer, taking over for David Niven), the former Phantom himself. Anyway, this movie shows the progress of the "Panther" franchise, when the crazy characters and Clouseau's wacky mannerisms start to really show. Sellers brings slapstick to a fever pitch, making a shambles of everything in his path, not to mention the sanity of his superior, Chief Inspector Dreyfus, played by Herbert Lom. There are lots of funny scenes, including the one in which Clouseau is distracted from a bank robbery by a "blind" accordionist and his chimpanzee "minkey." It's definitely one of the better chapters in the "Pink Panther" saga.

I very much enjoy this installment of the series. Not very fond of any of the others. The Return of the Pink Panther just has it all in my opinion. You get a crime story, funny/stupid humor, Clouseau who still has no idea of what's going on(this just makes the movie what it is).

The fight between Clouseau and Kato in the apartment is hilarious. One has to wonder how long Kato was waiting in the refrigerator. The fight is just very slapstick and clumsy that it makes me and my girlfriend laugh every time we see it.

Another great point of the film is the numerous cars that Clouseau goes through. Loosing a few into a pool.

The mental breakdown of Herbert Lom's character is also one of the film's fine points.

This is -- my opinion -- the funniest of the series. I have always enjoyed it, and most likely will always enjoy it.

Out of all of the Pink Panther movies this one is my all time favorite.

Clouseau is at it again, bungling at his best. His boss who is on the edge for terminating him, indefinitely! And I don't mean by saying "You're FIRED!" I mean he's going to kill him! He called everyone aroud him "idiots" especially his assistant after he accidentally shoots off his nose. The fight scene between Kato and Clouseau was nothing more than mockery of the matial arts. Other than that I enjoyed every part of the movie.

10. Case CLOSED!