Movies long blessed us with memorable stories and iconic characters. While the Pink Panther is one of the most beloved characters to have emerged out of the medium, his roots lie in the early 1960s' movies where he first appeared only in a long and elaborate animated opening-credits sequence. From then on, his puzzled expression to his slapstick entertainment, has made generations laugh. But the Pink Panther, as a cartoon, was never the main character in the films.
The main character in the Pink Panther franchise is Inspector Jacques Clouseau, who contributed majorly in bringing humorous adventures and ridiculous case-solving to the big screen. As a hapless detective, he would bumble his way through cases initially featuring a missing or stolen Pink Panther diamond (a second main character of the series in some way) and bring fun to every situation. While his methods seemed unconventional, Clouseau usually managed to solve the crime – even if it was by accident. Because of this goofy private eye, the Pink Panther series became known worldwide as a wonderful comedy-mystery franchise.
Director Blake Edwards, the man behind the majority of the early films, wanted to seethe franchise roll over throughout a decade, opening with a jazz theme and accompanied by animated Pink Panther sequences. In each of these movies, there was a case ready for Clouseau to solve, and with Peter Sellers playing the character, the franchise capitalized on a unique brand of physical humor not seen in similar films. From 1963 to 2009, there have been a total of 11 Pink Panther movies, and while the team has established itself as remarkable, it is only when we rank each film that we’ll be able to determine which one truly captures the essence of the franchise.
11Son of the Pink Panther (1993)
The ninth and the final installment in the Pink Panther film series initially created by writer/director Blake Edwards follows the illegitimate son of our hapless but deceased Jacques Clouseau getting in the way of an important investigation currently being carried out by Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus. As inept as they come, Jacques Gambrelli not only turns the situation into a bloodbath but also hinders many other activities with his hijinks.
Many fans have noted that it was completely unnecessary to make the film because ofhow ridiculous the themes seemedgiven the time it was released. Even though actors like Herbert Lom and Burt Kwouk from the previous franchise returned and there was the entire cheesy nostalgia about the film,Son of the Pink Pantherfailed to relive in the glory of the franchise.
10Inspector Clouseau (1968)
Directed by Bud Yorkin,Inspector Clouseaumarked the third film in the series. For the first time since it began, the franchise did not have Peter Sellars on the screen and Blake Edwards on the camera. For a second, even if we take the change as an advantage, as something that would steer the franchise into a different (perhaps even better) direction, why star Alan Arkin? Theactor is synonymous with filmslikeWait Until Darkand the classic Bond movieOn Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Playing Inspector Clouseau in the ’60s was nothing but a humbling experience for him. That said,Inspector Clouseaucentered around finding a group of thieves relentlessly robbing banks across Europe while donning a mask with the detective’s face on it.
9Curse of the Pink Panther (1983)
Curse of the Pink Pantherwaslike one of those filler episodes in TV showswhere the setting is familiar, the characters are genuine, there is laughter, but there’s not much happening. Blake Edwards intended the film to be one where he’d step down and let the rest of the elements take over. While there were still vignettes of slapstick comedy and returning characters, the premise felt flat. In the movie, Sergeant Clifton Sleigh, an American equivalent of our beloved detective, is assigned with the search of the original Inspector Clouseau, but he returns as someone who is just as cheeky, hopeless, and incompetent as Clouseau.
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Now, the story doesn’t sit well with the audience because of the real-world information that Sellars had already passed away. Still, the team’s spirit and determination to keep the show going deserves some appreciation.
8The Pink Panther 2 (2009)
A sequel to the 2006 reboot that first saw Steve Martin masking the merriment of Inspector Clouseau,The Pink Panther 2seemed to have doubled down on all the things that didn’t work in the first movie, making it not funny and a disappointment. The film follows Clouseau teaming up with a bunch of other unskillful detectives from around the world in order to capture a mastermind thief who is stealing historical artifacts and sending people into confusion as to his identity.
Director Harald Zwart tries to bring the magnificence and joy of the original series by infusing the films with ridiculous gags and little idiosyncrasies like Martin not knowing how to pronounce ‘hamburger.’ But when it comes to providing popcorn entertainment to regular moviegoers, the film manages to win some points.
7The Pink Panther (2006)
Entering the 2000s with a lot of promiseand enthusiasm is the official reboot of a beloved series.The Pink Pantherbrought back the bumbling brilliance of Inspector Clouseau by casting Steve Martin with the role. Now, for fans who had already seen the actor star in movies likePlanes, Trains and AutomobilesandFather of the Bride, it was exciting to see what he’d be like as an eccentric detective. While he didn’t exactly fail, Martin wasn’t memorable either. The case he was given as Clouseau was to investigate the murder of the coach of the French soccer team as well as find out the man who stole his infamous ring with the Pink Panther diamond on it.
6Trail of the Pink Panther (1982)
Moving back to a much familiar territory, we have the seventh film in thePink Pantherseries,Trail of the Pink Panther. Peter Sellers pulls a disappearing act in the movie as Inspector Clouseau, sending journalist Marie Jouvet to search for him. In the process, Jouvet interviews those around him. While Sellers’ character already has a delightful reputation in the films, it is in this installment that Herbert Lom truly shines as Charles Dreyfus. Whether it is the dynamic between the actors in the previous footage and deleted scenes of thenostalgiaaround the franchise’s overall aesthetic of madness, the movie remains amazing and underrated.
5The Pink Panther (1963)
This is where it all started. Reviving the animated cartoon for better,The Pink Pantherwas the inaugural film in Blake Edwards’ series. We follow Inspector Clouseau, a clumsy detective who is on the trail of a notorious thief known only as “The Phantom.” His search leads him to Rome, where he discovered an unexpected truth.Sellers’ seminal presence and slapstick humorhits just the right notes. Supporting actors like David Niven and Robert Wagner also bring in the laughs, and even though the entire cast isn’t yet perfect, the movie is a great start.
4Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978)
Revenge of the Pink Panthersees Inspector Clouseau in a brand new light by giving him a grand mission that involves revenge, taking down a drug trafficking operation, faking his own death, and teaming up with the ex-lover of his enemy. Unflappable as ever, Clouseau brings his best in the fifth film, which is also when people were getting used to the franchise’s unoriginal plots.
Sellars’ character is already prone to accidents, so to morph into a plot involving a French drug kingpin Philippe Douvier who simply wanted some respect from New York bosses and was even willing to kill for that, was refreshing. The story plays second fiddle to the performances and absurd dialogue and elaborately choreographed jokes. Overall, the movie has enough to inspire slapstick films whose only purpose is to make the viewer feel good.
3The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976)
Following the events from three years after the conclusion ofThe Return of the Pink Panther, this movie delivers the zaniest Inspector Clouseau caper so far. The reason? Charles Dreyfus has been newly-institutionalized, which sends him in frenzy and fury, and his only purpose is to off Clouseau, so he sends after him a bunch of useless assassins. Even though the plot may seem thrilling, most of the elements are humorous and enjoyable.
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With Clouseau’s rigged to kill him in dark but funny ways, we are able to witness the bold physical comedy of Peter Sellers. Moreover,The Pink Panther Strikes Againhas the silliest scenes – from the kidnapping to the destruction caused – to showcase Dreyfus’ hatred and Clouseau’s narrow escapes.
2A Shot in the Dark (1964)
The movie that solidified the Pink Panther formula and proved that it could be turned into a full-fledged franchise,A Shot in the DarksawPeter Sellers establish himself completelyas the French detective Jacques Clouseau. Let’s be honest, the man is the heart of the series and even though the films that came after may seem bland, there is no denying that he created some of the most iconic hallmarks, most of which are in this second installment, including Herbert Lom’s long-suffering boss. The movie weaves a murder mystery in the humble home of millionaire Benjamin Ballon, and Clouseau is called to investigate.
