Cheap Inspector Clouseau - Napoleon Blown-Apart (Video) (Bud Yorkin) Price

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Customer Reviews of Inspector Clouseau - Napoleon Blown-Apart

Fine Entry In the Clouseau Legacy
The status of this film is only diminished when you consider that Peter Sellers did not assume the title role. That said, Alan Arkin is no slouch. Arkin is a consummate actor and an adept comedian. His performance here is ever so slightly informed by Sellers and he adds a few of his own comic fluorishes to the Clouseau character. After a while you forget Sellers isn't in the film and accept it for what it is. The film does have a nifty plot involving a gang of thieves whose masterplan is to rob the Zurich bank and frame Clouseau. Peter would be proud.

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Interesting Take on Inspector Clouseau and His Times
1968's INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU is a bit of a curiosity piece. One of the most often asked questions is if it is considered an actual entry in THE PINK PANTHER series. I would tend to say yes, based upon the fact that it was a presentation from the Mirisch Production Company and released by United Artists as were its two predecessors THE PINK PANTHER and A SHOT IN THE DARK. Director Blake Edwards who directed the first two did not direct this film but is given screen credit along with Maurice Richlin stating "based on characters" developed by them, as is the similar credit for upcoming PINK PANTHER (a pre-sequel) with Steve Martin. Screenwriter Frank Waldman who worked on this film also worked on RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER, THE PINK PANTER STRIKES AGAIN, REVENGE OF THE PINK PANTHER and TRAIL OF THE PINK PANTHER. Screenwriter Tom Waldman worked on TRAIL OF THE PINK PANTHER. Michael Stringer who is the Production Designer on this film also was Production Designer for A SHOT IN THE DARK. David DePatie was the title animator for this film and also title animator/producer on the original THE PINK PANTHER, REVENGE OF THE PINK PANTHER and TRAIL OF THE PINK PANTHER. So there is some definite lineage to say that 1968's INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU is an official entry in the series. <
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>As for the film itself I would say that it is only moderately successful. Often with Peter Sellers in the title role, more laughs come from characters around Sellers in their reaction to his antics. Basically Sellers' Clouseau is a good-natured bumbling fellow unbeknown to himself. Alan Arkin's Clouseau demonstrates some of these qualities sporadically but for the majority of his performance he comes across with a certain amount of annoying arrogance and plain stupidity and gains little sympathy from the viewer. It is almost painful to watch Arkin in this film. The strong points in this film are its strong cast of solid character actors who work splendidly off Arkin and an excellent score from composer Ken Thorne who does manage to give Arkin's performance some amount of comic distinction and enhances the entire film with an a lively and upbeat drive. This film also looks good and has a nostalgic feel for 1968's Mod Britain. It is also interesting to see this film and view it as a testing ground for future cinematic entries for Inspector Clouseau. <
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Highly Underrated Sequel
INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU from 1968 with Alan Arkin as Clouseau is a highly underrated effort from director Bud Yorkin. I found this film very entertaining and uproariously funny. Alan Arkin's interpretation of Clouseau is quite different from the popular version established by Peter Sellers in the two previous films: THE PINK PANTHER and A SHOT IN THE DARK. Alan Arkin curiously represents Clouseau as the thinking man's bumbling inspector. The scene with Arkin and Patrick Cargill in Cargill's office as they continuously exchange different chairs during the briefing is brilliantly conceived and must truly be seen in widescreen to be fully appreciated. I laugh aloud every time I watch it. Another funny scene is when Clouseau tries to disembark from the plane at the airport missing his shoes and umbrella. One of the highlights of the film is Ken Thorne's outstanding score. Ken Thorne is one of the most underrated composers in the history of cinema. In all, I truly enjoy this film.