‘Revenge of the Pink Panther’ Blu-ray Review
Stars: Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Burt Kwouk, Dyan Cannon, Robert Webber, Tony Beckley, Robert Loggia, Paul Stewart, André Maranne, Graham Stark, Alfie Bass, Sue Lloyd | Written by Frank Waldman, Ron Clark, Blake Edwards | Directed by Blake Edwards
After four hilariously chaotic outings as Inspector Clouseau, Peter Sellers reunited with director Blake Edwards for one final Pink Panther adventure. That swansong came in 1978 with Revenge of the Pink Panther, closing out an era of slapstick brilliance and exquisitely timed comedic disaster.
Now, those classic films have been lovingly restored and brought to Blu-ray. Kino Lorber has already released The Pink Panther, A Shot in the Dark, The Return of the Pink Panther, and The Pink Panther Strikes Again. Completing the set, Sellers’ final turn as Clouseau – Revenge of the Pink Panther – arrives on Blu-ray featuring a brand-new 4K scan.
A crime syndicate has put out a hit on the disaster-magnet French detective which they believe has succeeded, so he decides — as only Clouseau can — to go “under the covers, y’kneuw.” While his high-strung former boss Dreyfus (Herbert Lom) tries to piece together the case, Clouseau dons ridiculously complicated disguises and hectically enlists the aid of his loyally fight-prone employee Cato (Burt Kwouk) for field work. But it’s the crime ring’s whistleblower Simone (Dyan Cannon) who holds the key to a Hong Kong rendezvous — filmed on location — where mayhem erupts in an explosively funny finale!
This is truly Peter Sellers’ final Pink Panther film. While Trail of the Pink Panther technically starred Sellers, it was assembled after his death using deleted and unused footage, making Revenge of the Pink Panther the last film he actively completed as Inspector Clouseau. It may be the weakest entry in the series overall, but even here, Sellers’ comic genius shines through. His performance as Clouseau remains effortlessly funny, reminding us just how irreplaceable he was in the role.
Kino Lorber has transferred Revenge of the Pink Panther to Blu-ray in 1080p and is presented in 2.35:1 aspect ratio. There are two English audio tracks: a 5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio. Finally, there is the option for English Subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. This Blu-ray transfer is taken from a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative. The picture is sharp as a tack with no damage to the visible; the audio is clear with no hiss or pops; and the colours are simply gorgeous. What an amazing-looking film this is in HD. But a great-looking restoration transfer is not all this release has going for it. Look at the bonus features included:
Special Features:
- Audio Commentary with Film Historian William Patrick Maynard
- Two Theatrical Trailers
- Five TV Spots
- Five Radio Spots
Unlike the previous Blu-ray releases in the series, the bonus features here aren’t quite as substantial. The audio commentary is a welcome inclusion, but beyond that, you’re largely limited to trailers and promotional spots. It’s a lighter package overall, though still a nice extra for fans. As with the other releases, Kino Lorber also includes a reversible Blu-ray insert. You can opt for artwork featuring Peter Sellers or flip it to display the classic Pink Panther cartoon character instead – a small but very welcome touch, and one I continue to love.
**** 4/5
So, if you enjoy the Peter Sellers Pink Panther films as much as I do, this Kino Lorber Blu-ray is an essential pickup. With Revenge of the Pink Panther, the collection is finally complete – making it a must-have alongside the rest of Kino Lorber’s superb releases in the series. Head over to Amazon and order yours now.
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