The Pink Panther (DVD, 1999)

The "Pink Panther" movies have the ability, if such a thing is possible, to hit you right where it hurts (in the solar plexus perhaps?). Who knows why they are so good. Sellers is the master of understated buffoonery, and you can't actually accuse him of ever being an idiot, no matter how great the temptation might occasionally be. If you know something of the Sellers background (i.e., his other movies; his Goon Show contribution; his interest in things esoteric; his somewhat disastrous family life; etc), you know you are not dealing with a lightweight, but rather a man of such intensity that if you push him just a tad too hard, well yes, he will break. And that underlies his comedy as well, so much so that at times it is questionable as to whether he can sustain the performance. And therein lies the Sellers magic: he can indeed take the strain and he is obviously determined to outlast all the various pressures that are being applied on and off the screen and, in the cinematic sense, he comes through wonderfully well. To what degree the colours are flying is a matter of individual perception and taste, but I have now been absorbing the work of this curious individual for so long, that I am almost (against my will) completely enamoured.
Of course, there is another element in the Pink Panther films that ought not to be totally overshadowed by Sellers unique performance. Blake Edwards masterminded the series and it was his equally unique ability to put together the immensely creative team (just look at the opening cartoon graphics, which have since become as timeless as Seller's Clouseau, if not more so), which gave Sellers his platform in the first place. Like so many good things, "The Pink Panther" is a group effort, based on the unusual ability of several fine professionals. Once you've taken the time to get bitten by the Seller's bug, you'll find there is a lot more beyond the marvellous but somewhat limited range of the Panther movies. Try the "The Party" and Seller's last film "Being There," for starters. Heaven forbid that you should go on for much longer without knowing him at all.

This is a Peter Sellers classic. Love to watch this original movie at any time. Others sequels are also good.

Bought in order to let my kids see whole series. Simple plot but funny. Now, kids will understand the plotline for the Revenge and Strikes Again movies.

Again, I bought this as a birthday present. My brother-in-law loves this movie and thinks it is so funny.