Plot: What’s it about?
Now this is how we’d love to see all films treated, brand new transfers, some extras, and a dynamic packaging scheme. The Pink Panther series is beloved across the world, as Peter Sellers delighted audiences time and again. Of course, we all know The Pink Panther from his cartoons and ads for insulation, but these films are perhaps even more famous. MGM has taken its time in releasing proper editions of these movies, but the wait is over and the result is worthwhile. A British edition has a few more extras, but if you just want the movies, MGM’s release is more than up to snuff. The five films each have a dedicated disc, then a sixth disc is included to house supplements. All six discs are tucked within a unique case, a plastic coated booklet of sorts. The concept is superb and fans will be delighted, as this case is loads of fun and looks excellent. In case you need a reminder or two, I have included a synopsis for each film below.
1. The Pink Panther- Princess Dala (Claudia Cardinale) has treasured her Pink Panther diamond since she was a child, when her father presented the priceless jewel as a gift. The piece is the largest diamond in the world, which means countless people would love to own it, even if it meant some kind of criminal activities. One such person is known as The Phantom, a menace that preys upon the rich and famous in Europe. But with the venerable Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers) on his trail, can even The Phantom pull off the heist?
2. A Shot in the Dark- The hired driver of a very rich man has been killed, which of course, has the man himself on edge. But when Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers) arrives on scene, it becomes clear that the trouble is just starting. The obvious suspect is the beautiful maid Maria (Elke Sommer), though Clouseau is convinced of her innocence. He is also convinced that he is in love with her, which could cloud his mind at times. He insists she is innocent, even has murders continue and all evidence points to his new love interest. Has Clouseau found some information that no one else is aware of, or is he letting his new romance fool him?
3. The Pink Panther Strikes Again- After having to work with Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers), his old boss Dreyfus (Herbet Lom) has gone insane. He tried to kill the inept detective himself, but failed and was sent to an institution. Now he has escaped and continues his plan to kill Clouseau, but this time, he has grander plans. As he is unable to murder the man himself, he constructs a doomsday device to do his work. If Clouseau is not killed by someone, anyone and soon, the device will start demolishing large areas. With all those lives on the line, can Clouseau evade all of his attackers and end this insane plot?
4. Revenge of the Pink Panther- Philippe Douvier (Robert Webber) is close to a massive deal with the United States, but his reputation has suffered of late. In order to prove his strength and close the deal, he decides to kill Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers). The plot seems to have been a success, as Clouseau’s automobile was shot off the road and inside, a dead man was discovered. The news allows Dreyfus (Herbert Lom) to be released from the mental hospital, but as it turns out, the murder plot was a failure. Can Clouseau use his deceased status to learn the truth about his attackers, or will he turn up dead for a second time?
5. Trail of the Pink Panther- The legendary Pink Panther diamond has been stolen again, so without hesitation, the call for Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers) is made. The detective boards a plan and heads out to solve the case, but before he can even get started, his plane disappears and no one is sure what happened. A famous French reporter Marie Jouvet (Joanna Lumley) decides to do some work of her own, in an effort to learn about Clouseau. She interviews all of those closest to him and in those interviews, the people discuss their encounters with Clouseau, some good, some bad, all hilarious. But will she be able to uncover the truth about Clouseau and in the end, has the famous inspector worked his final case?
Video: How does it look?
All five films have been given brand new transfers, with 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen presentations, as intended. I expected some variance within these movies, given the years between some volumes, but that wasn’t the case. MGM has served up superb visual efforts on all five films, which means even the original looks almost like new. The prints have been shined up, so grain and debris are minimal, while image depth is impressive. So darker scenes now have more visible detail and subtle visual presence, instead of blurred, smothered images. This allows the visuals to sparkle and in this series, that is essential. The colors look great also, with no muted tones and only vivid hues to mention. I have to admit, MGM has surpassed all of my expectations with this collection, as these films look incredible.
Audio: How does it sound?
All five films have been given new Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks, but the material isn’t able to put the new audio to full use. So the limitations of the source material are evident, but given that, the audio is better than expected. A little thin at times and never all that impressive, but always more than solid. I was pleased to find more life and depth than anticipated, as some scenes really make good use of the surround channels. The rear speakers tend to be rather restrained, but provide extra depth and make sure the music is well handled. I heard no problems with dialogue either, which is consistent and never lets us down. The original mono soundtracks are also included, which is a most welcome inclusion. This release also includes French and Spanish language tracks, as well as subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.
Supplements: What are the extras?
You’ll find theatrical trailers and still photos on all five film discs, but only the first film has been given added bonus materials. An audio commentary with director Blake Edwards is a dud, but has a few worthwhile moments, while the trivia track is the polar opposite and is loaded with all kinds of interesting information. The sixth disc in this collection houses the other goodies, such as a brief look at the animated Pink Panther’s exploits and of course, a selection of seven classic Pink Panther cartoons, which are not to be missed. You can also watch a half hour retrospective on the entire series, which has its moments, but is rather lackluster. So while the label claims Special Edition, the extras here leave a lot to be desired.
