The Pink Panther Strikes Again
The Pink Panther Strikes Again
PG | 15 December 1976 (USA)
The Pink Panther Strikes Again Trailers

Charles Dreyfus, who has finally cracked over inspector Clouseau's antics, escapes from a mental institution and launches an elaborate plan to get rid of Clouseau once and for all.

Reviews
Titreenp SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?
GazerRise Fantastic!
StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
Bessie Smyth Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.
mark.waltz Yes, Blake Edwards keeps repeating the same gag over and over. How many times do former Chief Inspector Dreyfus and the current Chief Inspector Clouseau have to fall into the water? In Dreyfus's case, it's a duck pond, and in Clouseau's case, it's a castle moat, but I count at least eight in this movie. In the end of "Return of the Pink Panther", the audience saw Dreyfus in a mental institution which is where he is preparing for a hearing to be released from here, every day in every way "feeling better and better". It's obvious that in a world without Clouseau, Dreyfus would be a completely sane man, but like that one co-worker nobody can stand (but can't get rid of), Clouseau is the Christmas Fruit Cake that keeps coming and coming every year. Clouseau makes the mistake of coming to see Dreyfus on the day of his hearing and makes the matters worse, driving Dreyfus back over the cuckoo's nest and more determined than ever to kill Clouseau, and destroy the world in the process if he has to!References to Lom's earlier roles as Napoleon and the Phantom of the Opera are made here as part of a loving tribute, and as a result, Lom pretty much ends up stealing the film, reminding me of one of those delicious old movie serial villains you hiss at but somehow admire for their raw determination to reach an evil goal. There's no pink panther diamond here, only the visual of the pink panther in the opening and closing credits haunting Clouseau through some very clever movie moments, one having Mr. Pink in Julie Andrews' Maria Von Trapp on the hillside postulant dress. Andrews makes a brief vocal appearance, having recorded "Until You Love Me" and seeing her voice played back at a different scene for the drag bar sequence with Michael Robbins in hideous drag lip-sinking to the record as he makes his moves on Sellers. It's a rare 70's glimpse into a gay establishment, filled with stereotypes yet not offensively done. The yellow face references to Cato (Burt Kwouk) remain and might draw some awkwardness, but it's part of the period, and who can deny the hysterical antics between Clouseau and his hysterically funny, if violent, valet? The scenes at the Oktoberfest come off very well too, with a German song that sounds like "Booby Bundy" playing in the background as a large hitman in drag with daggers in his falsies stalks Sellers. Omar Sharif makes a brief cameo as the Egyptian hit man and is very funny, although I found Lesley-Anne Down's appearances as the sexy Russian spy distracting and the one element that slows down the movie to a hault. The castle sequences are hysterical, especially the famous bit with aged hotel clerk Harold Berens, Sellers in disguise as a dentist, and Lom's attempts at torturing one of his kidnapping victims. Some audiences today might find the erasing of the United Nations building a little too close to the destruction of the World Trade Center 25 years after this was made, but representations of some political figures of this time (Gerald Ford, Henry Kissinger) are very funny. This is a goof-ball picture if there ever was one, and one of the best comedies of the 1970's that stands out from the other weaker entries in the series. Edwards went all out with this one, and even if some of the gags just seem desperate, there's a charm to them that can't be denied.
Paul Evans Without a shadow of a doubt this was my favourite film as a child, I would watch it over and over again. Sometimes things can be remembered with rose tinted glasses, not in this case. Having not seen it for a while I watched it, and belly laughed the whole way through. I hadn't realised how much it felt like a Bond spoof, with our calamitous detective in the Bond role and Dreyfus the crazed villain.The opening scenes are insanely funny, and coupled with that cheerful music, the whole thing starts off in style. The scenes where Clouseau interviews the staff are my favourites, with Shalk the Gardner, Mrs Leverlilly etc, incredibly funny.So many stars, even a small appearance from the late great Omar Sharif. Michael Robbins is fabulous as the butler and transvestite singer. Peter Sellers of course steals the show, legendary of course, but only he could play the part.Pure magic from start to finish.
SnoopyStyle Charles Dreyfus (Herbert Lom) is on the verge of leaving the asylum. He is supposed to be over his hatred of Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) until the new Chief Inspector Clouseau pays him a visit. Clouseau drives Dreyfus crazy who escapes. Clouseau is at home where he fights off his manservant Cato Fong (Burt Kwouk). Dreyfus' bomb fails to kill Clouseau. Dreyfus leads a criminal group to kidnap nuclear physicist Professor Fassbender and his daughter. Fassbender creates a weapon for Dreyfus which he uses to destroy the UN building in NY. Dreyfus blackmails the world to assassinate Clouseau as Clouseau's clumsy investigation close in on Dreyfus.Evil Dreyfus is so natural that it is too obvious to ignore. Peter Sellers is at the top of his game in this Pink Panther. Clouseau's fight with Cato is pure joyous slapstick. I love that and the scenes at the Fassbender home. The comedy doesn't quite come fast and furious enough after that but it is still pretty funny. The drawbridge is a slow long burn and a pure comedic turn. This is probably my favorite of the Pink Panther movies.
AaronCapenBanner Fourth time out for Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau finds himself the target of multiple assassins, hired by his former boss, Chief Inspector Dreyfuss, who has gone insane and kidnaps a scientist and his daughter to help him build a doomsday weapon, so he can ransom the world! Preposterous sequel, to the say the least, but also one of the funniest in the series, loaded with inspired jokes and sight gags, not to mention crazy disguises that Clouseau wears. Herbert Lom especially has a field day as the gleefully crazy Dreyfuss, only happy when trying to kill Clouseau. Despite the ending, this wouldn't be the last time we see him either...