Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

A Shot in the Dark

Play trailer Poster for A Shot in the Dark PG 1964 1h 41m Comedy Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
94% Tomatometer 33 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Inspector Clouseau is called to a house where a murder was committed and finds that every clue points to the beautiful maid, Maria. As more people are killed, each set of clues always points to Maria, and Clouseau continues to release her and escort her around town.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

A Shot in the Dark

A Shot in the Dark

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A Shot in the Dark is often regarded as the best of the Pink Panther sequels, and Peter Sellers gives a top-notch performance that makes slapstick buffoonery memorable.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Dave Kehr Chicago Reader 08/07/2012
This isn't quite up to the original, but it has its moments. Go to Full Review
Bob McCabe Empire Magazine 08/07/2012
4/5
The original Pink Panther movie, and perhaps even the best. Sellars is, obviously, stellar. Go to Full Review
Variety Staff Variety 07/06/2010
Sometimes the narrative is subordinated to individual bits of business and running gags but Sellers' skill as a comedian again is demonstrated. Go to Full Review
Frank J. Avella The Contending Feb 9
B
The second film in the Pink Panther series was far superior to the first, riddled with hilarious moments with now uber-bumbling Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers) and the height of his hijinks. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 11/07/2021
4/4
This hysterical comedy remains the best of the Pink Panther franchise. Go to Full Review
Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 08/27/2020
10/10
The perfect murder mystery spoof. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Blake- N @PBSAniDom 1d A Shot in the Dark is a fantastic example of how a sequel can stand completely on its own while still expanding the charm of its predecessor. Even without deep familiarity with The Pink Panther, this film works effortlessly thanks to its tight comedic timing, clever writing, and unforgettable performances. What really makes it shine is how confident it is in its own identity. It leans fully into its farcical mystery tone, blending slapstick humor with a genuinely engaging detective setup. The pacing stays sharp throughout, and the humor rarely feels forced, instead coming naturally from character interactions and escalating misunderstandings. Overall, it’s one of those rare comedies that still feels fresh and well-crafted decades later. i’d rate it a 9/10. See more Matthew D @OceanSage 2d Peter Sellers is hilarious once again as Inspector Jacques Clouseau opposite the lovely Elke Sommer and the outrageous Herbert Lom! Director Blake Edwards’ absurdist comedy A Shot in the Dark (1964) is absolutely hysterical! I have seen this movie so many times as a kid and it holds up beautifully. Edwards’ direction is so playful and creative with endless slapstick comedic routines, absurdist verbal wit, and ridiculous physical jokes based around charming characters. There’s a brilliant repeating gag that Clouseau gets mistakenly arrested and it just jump cuts to the blaring sirens and the police wagon taking him away. English actor Peter Sellers is hysterical as the idiotic French Police Inspector Jacques Clouseau. Burt Kwouk is hilarious as Clouseau’s lovable butler and karate trainer Cato. German actress Elke Sommer is so gorgeous and sweet as the accused Italian maid Maria Gambrelli. Herbert Lom’s eye twitching and angry Police Commissioner Charles Dreyfus is hilarious. See more Robson C @RT82519826 5d O inspetor Clouseau é designado para resolver o caso de um assassinato que aconteceu na mansão de um famoso milionário. Porém Clouseau se apaixona pela principal suspeita do caso. Com o sucesso de A Pantera Cor de Rosa, é claro que teríamos uma sequência. Desta vez, o filme é todo baseado no personagem de Sellers, sem os arcos envolvendo os outros personagens do filme anterior. Aqui começa algumas características que tornariam a franquia famosa: o ódio do superior de Clouseau por ele, ao ponto de querer matá-lo e os treinamentos de artes marciais de Clouseau com o seu empregado, Kato. Sellers continua excelente, com a sua naturalidade de acusar confusões. Há sequências engraçadíssimas como o jogo de bilhar entre Clouseau e o milionário e a cena no acampamento nudista. No final, a inspiração é meio Agatha Christie, com todos os suspeitos reunidos, enquanto Clouseau vai montando o quebra-cabeça (à maneira dele). Uma sequência digna do original. See more Alain E @AlainE Oct 26 Ultimately, it is of no importance who killed who. The whole movie is a canvas that allows the protagonists to perform every type of gag. In the process multiple characters are getting killed, but this is also very funny, as long as it happens to someone else. See more Mark B @Thelaser555 01/24/2025 How much was ad-lib, how much was improvised? How many takes were needed? How did the crew keep all the equipment from shaking as they laughed and laughed with every take? Peter Sellers digs into his sub-conscious genius with natural ease as he ad-libs, breaks things, falls over, makes a fool of himself and talks with a ridiculous French accent in every minute of this best-of-the-bunch Pink Panther flick, while there's another incredible performance almost alongside Sellers in the form of Herbert Lom's, driven-to-insanity, Commissioner Dreyfus who ends up on a psychiatrist's couch after cutting his finger off while chopping off the end of his cigar and then inadvertently stabbing himself with a letter opener- as Clouseau's bungling continues to send Commissioner Dreyfus over the edge. Best scene is in his office when an exasperated Dreyfus is exiling the hapless Clouseau to the French outpost of Martinique. "This is personal, isn't it?" asks Sellers. "Yes, it is! Deeply! I hate you! Every bit of you!" barks Lom. Dreyfus then loses it even further by shouting at Sellers to leave his office. "Get out!" shouts Dreyfus. "You want me to leave?" replies Sellers. Doh!!! And who came up with the idea of Cato, Clouseau's manservant, who is told by Sellers to attack him whenever he least expects it- purely to keep Clouseau's karate skills up to speed. Just brilliant! See more Patrick F @RT61618422 10/19/2024 The detective who is seemingly a complete embicil somehow solves every mystery, every crime while hilariously wrecking havoc like only Petter Sellers can. See more Read all reviews
A Shot in the Dark

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

A Shot in the Dark

A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Sneak Attack A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Sneak Attack 2:14 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Billiards Buffoonery A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Billiards Buffoonery 2:13 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Naked Traffic Jam A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Naked Traffic Jam 1:11 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Naked Right Down To Your Mustache A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Naked Right Down To Your Mustache 2:36 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Everything I Do Is Carefully Planned A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Everything I Do Is Carefully Planned 2:07 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Dead Dudu A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Dead Dudu 2:18 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Nothing Matters But The Facts A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Nothing Matters But The Facts 2:27 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Dreyfus Cracks A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Dreyfus Cracks 1:41 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Right Off Cue A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Right Off Cue 2:27 A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Clouseau Catches Fire A Shot in the Dark: Official Clip - Clouseau Catches Fire 2:55 View more videos
Pulp 77% 38% Pulp Watchlist Foul Play 74% 69% Foul Play Watchlist The Lady Vanishes 33% 43% The Lady Vanishes Watchlist The Last of Sheila 90% 84% The Last of Sheila Watchlist Fletch 79% 81% Fletch Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Inspector Clouseau is called to a house where a murder was committed and finds that every clue points to the beautiful maid, Maria. As more people are killed, each set of clues always points to Maria, and Clouseau continues to release her and escort her around town.
Director
Blake Edwards
Producer
Blake Edwards
Screenwriter
Marcel Achard, William Peter Blatty, Blake Edwards, Harry Kurnitz
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
Mirisch Company
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 23, 1964, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 4, 2017
Runtime
1h 41m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)