The Trail of the Pink Panther

"Well, it's about Inspector Clouseau. MI5 called and reported that Libyan agents heard a rumor that there might be an assassination attempt against Clouseau."
"Really? Who else wants to kill him? I mean, who is behind it?"

When the Pink Panther diamond (the largest diamond in the world) is stolen, again, there is only one man the Shah of Lugash wants on the case: Chief Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Sellers).  He begins the search by looking for the Phantom in England, and blowing up his own car... but the Sir Charles Litton (Niven) lives in France, and Clouseau thinks the exploding car is an assassination attempt.  He plans to continue the investigation in disguise in Lugash.  Back in France, Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus (Lom) learns that Clouseau could actually be in trouble (see the quote at the beginning of this post).  And then Clouseau's plane does not reach it's destination.

Reporter Marie Jouvet (Lumley) decides to do a story about the real Chief Inspector Clouseau, by interviewing his colleagues.  Even though it appears Clouseau is dead, everyone believes he is still around:

• The thought causes Dreyfus to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown
• His manservant, Cato (Kwouk) isn't too concerned
• His former assistant, Hercule (Stark), thinks Clouseau's enemies may have more information
• The Litton's: Sir Charles and Lady Simone (Capucine), Clouseau's ex wife, think Clouseau is indestructible
• Mob boss, Bruno Langois (Loggia) doesn't want anyone looking for Clouseau, because they just might find out he's alive

Will they find Clouseau and the Pink Panther diamond, or is this really the end?


This film was made after the death of star Peter Sellers.  Director Blake Edwards used old footage that was cut from other Pink Panther films (specifically from the Pink Panther Strikes Again).  These scenes are tied together by new scenes with Pink Panther regulars.  The second half of the film focuses on Marie Jouvet's interviews, intercut with brief clips from other Pink Panther films.

It is a nice idea... a tribute to an old friend and great physical / slapstick comedian, who had the amazing ability to disappear into a character, but the execution could have been better.  The second half of the film is choppy as it jumps to different interviews.  It is nice to see familiar faces from previous films... but why didn't she talk to "The Great Balls" (Korman) or any of the love interests (other than his ex wife)?

The best part of the film, besides the opening cartoon and the closing montage of funny Clouseau moments over the credits, are the scenes with Clouseau's father (Mulligan).  He is funny, an older version of Clouseau right down to the pronunciations and saying "I know that."  It was also funny to see Clouseau at different stages of life: as a child (Lucca Mezzofanti) already interested in impressing beautiful girls by becoming a police offier, and then as a klutzy member of the French Resistance (Daniel Peacock).  Both actors are funny, child Clouseau doesn't say much... but he is adorable.

There are funny moments, such as at the Clouseau vineyard (mentioned in the previous paragraph), but it is too disjointed as a whole.  Revenge of the Pink Panther was a good way to end the character (even though Sellers was in the process writing a final Pink Panther film), and the series... but obviously the producers / director did not feel the same as there are 2 more films in this series (I'm not counting the Steve Martin films, which I believe can stand on their own).

The Trail of the Pink Panther (1982) 96 minutes

Director: Blake Edwards

Starring: Joanna Lumley as Marie Jouvet

Peter Sellers as Chief Inspector Jacques Clouseau (archive footage)

Herbert Lom as Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus

David Niven as Sir Charles Litton

Capucine as Lady Simone Litton

Richard Mulligan as Clouseau's father

Robert Loggia as Bruno Langois

Harvey Korman as Professor Auguste Balls

Burt Kwouk as Cato Fong

Graham Stark as Hercule LaJoy

Andre Maranne as Sergeant Francois Duval