The Pink Panther Film Collection: Blu-Ray Review
Arriving on Blu-ray this week is “The Pink Panther Film Collection” starring Peter Sellers. This six-disk set includes “The Pink Panther”, “The Return of the Pink Panther”, “Revenge of the Pink Panther”, “Trial of the Pink Panther”, plus 4K remasters of “The Pink Panther Strikes Again” and “A Shot in the Dark”. If you are a fan of Peter Sellers portrayal of Inspector Jacques Clouseau, then this set is for you.
I was always a fan of “The Pink Panther” films that starred sellers, and I believe I have watched “A Shot in the Dark” more than any other film in the series. Although I was too young to understand at the time, I grew to feel “Trial of the Pink Panther” should never have been made the way it was. You simply can’t build a solid movie around deleted scenes from previous films. Having said that, I am still glad that the film is included in this set as it is part of Seller’s Panther cannon. Part of me wishes 1993’s “Son of the Pink Panther” was included in this set as a bonus, mainly because it featured much of the original cast. However, I do realize this set is for the Peter Seller films.
If you are a fan of the series, this is the best release to date. You get all 6 films starring Sellers, a nice selection of bonus features, plus a 28-page booklet.
Bonus Features
DISC 1: THE PINK PANTHER
- NEW An Italian Indian: The Pink Panther Princess – An Interview With Actress Claudia Cardinale
- Audio Commentary By Writer/Director Blake Edwards
- 2003 Featurette – The Pink Panther Story
- 2003 Featurette – Behind The Feline: The Cartoon Phenomenon
- 2008 Featurette – A Conversation With Robert Wagner: Coolest Cat In Cortina
- 2008 Featurette – Diamonds: Beyond The Sparkle
- 2008 Featurette – The Tip-Toe Life Of A Cat Burglar: A Conversation With Former Jewel Thief Bill Mason
- Theatrical Trailer
- Photo Galleries (Studio Stills, Production Candids, Theatrical Release Posters, And Vintage Lobby Cards)
DISC 2: A SHOT IN THE DARK
- NEW 4K Scan Of The Interpositive
- NEW Featurette – Back to the Start: The Origin Of The Pink Panther – An Interview With Production Company Chief Walter Mirisch
- NEW Audio Commentary By Jason Simos Of The Peter Sellers Appreciation Society
- Blake Edwards And Julie Andrews On The Dick Cavett Show
- Theatrical Trailers
- The Pink Panther/A Shot In The Dark 1966 Reissue Theatrical Trailer
- Photo Galleries (Studio Stills, Production Candids, Theatrical Release Posters, And Vintage Lobby Cards)
DISC 3: THE RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER
- NEW Featurette – A Bit Of Passion And Lots of Laughs: An Interview With Actress Catherine Schell
- NEW Featurette: An Interview With Production Designer Peter Mullins
- NEW Audio Commentary By Jason Simos Of The Peter Sellers Appreciation Society
- 1975 Featurette: The Return Of Laughter (The Making Of The Return Of The Pink Panther)
- Theatrical Trailers
- TV Spots
- Radio Spots
- Photo Galleries (Studio Stills, Production Candids, Theatrical Release Posters, And Vintage Lobby Cards)
DISC 4: THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN
- NEW 4K Scan Of The Interpositive
- NEW Featurette – Panther Musings: An Interview With actress Lesley-Anne Down
- NEW Featurette – A Cut Above: Editing The Pink Panther Films – An Interview With Editor Alan Jones
- NEW Audio Commentary By Jason Simos Of The Peter Sellers Appreciation Society
- 1976 Featurette – Clouseau: The Greatest Fumbler In The World (The Making Of The Pink Panther Strikes Again)
- Rare Teaser Trailers
- Theatrical Trailers
- TV Spots
- Radio Spots
- Photographer Colin Cadle’s On-Set Gallery
- Photo Galleries (Studio Stills, Production Candids, Theatrical Release Posters, And Vintage Lobby Cards)
DISC 5: REVENGE OF THE PINK PANTHER
- NEW Audio Commentary By Author And Film Historian William Patrick Maynard
- Rare Teaser Trailer
- Theatrical Trailer
- TV Spots
- Radio Spots
- Photo Galleries (Studio Stills, Production Candids, Theatrical Release Posters, And Vintage Lobby Cards)
DISC 6: TRAIL OF THE PINK PANTHER
- NEW Audio Commentary By Author And Film Historian William Patrick Maynard
- Rare Teaser Trailer
- Theatrical Trailer
- Photo Galleries (Studio Stills, Production Candids, Theatrical Release Posters, And Vintage Lobby Cards)
By: Marc Ferman