Blu-ray Review – The Pink Panther (1963)

      The Pink Panther, 1963.

      Directed by Blake Edwards.

      Featuring David Niven, Peter Sellers, Robert Wagner, Capucine, Brenda de Banzie, Colin Gordon, Fran Jeffries, and Claudia Cardinale.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Blake Edwards’ classic film The Pink Panther, released in 1963, not only initiated a movie franchise (which includes a two-film reboot starring Steve Martin as Inspector Clouseau) but also gave rise to a cartoon series. Kino Lorber has brought this film back on Blu-ray with a remastered version that looks impressive. While KL did not include any new bonus features, the existing content should satisfy any fan.

      As a child watching it on TV in the 1970s, I found it confusing. Having seen the Pink Panther cartoons, I was puzzled as to why the character only appeared during the opening credits of the film.

      I would like to claim I was sophisticated enough to appreciate this Blake Edwards comedy at the age of eight or nine, but I actually didn’t watch it again until I was an adult. Now, I certainly admire Peter Sellers’ portrayal of the clumsy Inspector Clouseau, though I believe that Edwards and co-writer Maurice Richlin relied a bit too heavily on physical comedy throughout the film’s 113-minute runtime.

      Sellers is joined by Capucine, who plays Simone Clouseau, a character in league with the professional thief known as the Phantom, portrayed by the distinguished Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven). Claudia Cardinale plays Princess Dala, the owner of the legendary Pink Panther diamond, which she received as a child.

      The Phantom aims to steal the jewel during winter at a ski resort in Italy’s Cortina d’Ampezzo, while Clouseau arrives to foil the theft and capture the Phantom. The situation is complicated by the arrival of Lytton’s bold nephew George (Robert Wagner), who has his own secrets and also decides to pursue the Pink Panther diamond for himself.

      Lytton complicates matters further by falling for Princess Dala, who is also pursued by George. The outcome is a series of comical and near-disastrous situations akin to any sitcom, although it's worth noting that similar scenarios were still relatively fresh on television at the time, making them appropriate for feature films as well.

      Kino Lorber has released The Pink Panther in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, featuring a newly created high-definition master from a 4K scan. The Blu-ray version I received for this review is also available alongside the 4K edition, and the film appeared solid on my setup. Fans of the film will likely be pleased with how it looks, irrespective of which version they select. (While I haven't seen the 4K disc, I assume it offers a slight upgrade, which is often the case with many 4K presentations on regular setups.)

      In terms of bonus features, this disc is well-equipped, although I do not have other home video editions for comparison. The extras included (all archival; no new content was made for this release) are:

      • Commentary track: Edwards provides a detailed overview of the film's creation.

      • The Pink Panther Story (29 minutes): Edwards, producer Walter Mirisch, and others reflect on this film and the numerous sequels that followed.

      • Behind the Feline – The Cartoon Phenomenon (11 minutes): I wish I could show this featurette to my younger self so he would understand how the animated opening sequence (and its reappearance at the end) initiated a cartoon franchise.

      • The Coolest Cat in Cortina (11 minutes): Robert Wagner reflects on the film, focusing on Sellers’ performance. He mentions that the initial choice for Inspector Clouseau, Peter Ustinov, might not have been as effective. I wholeheartedly agree, and I believe many film enthusiasts would concur.

      • An Italian Indian (12 minutes): The title of this featurette refers to Cardinale’s Italian background while portraying an East Indian character. This is an interview conducted in French, but it comes with subtitles.

      • Diamonds (7 minutes): Experts discuss the jewel central to the story, pointing out that, unsurprisingly, it would indeed be a priceless gem if it were real.

      • The Tip-Toe Life of a Cat Burglar (10 minutes): The final extra focuses on the real-life experiences of former jewel thief Bill Mason along with writer Lee Gruenfeld, who co-authored the book Confessions of a Master Jewel Thief with him.

      The film's trailer concludes the special features.

      SEE ALSO: The Pink Panther at 60: The Timeless Comedy Caper Revisited

      Flickering Myth Rating - Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Brad Cook