A Shot in the Dark

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A Shot in the Dark

PG,

1964,

1h 41m,

Comedy/

Mystery & Thriller

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94%

34 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

87%

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.

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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.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Aug 7, 2012

This isn't quite up to the original, but it has its moments.

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Bob McCabe

Empire Magazine

Aug 7, 2012

4/5

The original Pink Panther movie, and perhaps even the best. Sellars is, obviously, stellar.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Jul 6, 2010

Sometimes the narrative is subordinated to individual bits of business and running gags but Sellers' skill as a comedian again is demonstrated.

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Carlos Valladares

Screen Slate

Aug 19, 2026

Light, surreal, verging-on-bad-taste jokes like this are precisely what make me adore his films. To paraphrase the iconic Edwards protagonist Holly Golightly, quel gumption.

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Frank J. Avella

The Contending

Feb 9, 2026

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.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 7, 2021

4/4

This hysterical comedy remains the best of the Pink Panther franchise.

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George

Jul 16, 2017

***C-SECTION BIRTH OF THE PINK PANTHER***

Albus S

Feb 26, 2017

Second film in the Pink Panther series is even better than the first. Peter Sellers gives a more refined and more funny slapstick performance than in the first film and the addition of the character Kato adds even more hilarity. It also manages to have a decent mystery woven in between the comedic scenes, a brilliant score, solid camerawork and though the script gives way more towards the comedy than the plot it is still solid.

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Abraham S

Jun 18, 2011

Probably the best of the Pink Panther films

Harry S

Jun 23, 2009

Peter Sellers deftly portrays the infamous Inspector Clouseau, long on posturing, short on investigative results, smitten with the beautiful, sexually charged Elke Sommers, the only suspect in two murder cases where she was discovered with the murder weapons in hand both times. Can he possibly clear her name?! There's mucho sneaking around in dark hallways here, accompanied by Henry Mancini's catchy jazzy sneaking around dark hallways theme music, as well as the smiles you expect.

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Kylo W

Jun 25, 2008

This is probably one of my favorite entries in the Pink Panther series of films with Peter Sellers. This is the movie where the character of Clouseau begins to become an icon for comedic slapstick comedy. It does feel a tad long winded at times, but if you watch it when you're in the right mood then I am sure you will laugh.

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Blake Edwards

Director

Peter Sellers

Jacques Clouseau

Elke Sommer

Maria Gambrelli

George Sanders

Benjamin Ballon

Herbert Lom

Charles Dreyfus

Tracy Reed

Dominique Ballon

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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)

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