Watch A Shot in the Dark

A Shot in the Dark is a 1964 comedy film starring Peter Sellers, Elke Sommer, and George Sanders. The film is directed by Blake Edwards and is based on the French play L'Idiote by Marcel Achard. It is the second film in the Inspector Clouseau series, which features Sellers as the bumbling detective. The film opens with a wealthy Frenchman, Benjamin Ballon (George Sanders), being shot in his study. The police immediately suspect his beautiful young wife, Maria (Elke Sommer), who is found with a smoking gun. However, Maria claims to be innocent, and her story seems credible. The chief inspector, Charles Dreyfus (Herbert Lom), assigns the case to his inept subordinate, Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers), hoping that he will bungle the investigation and clear his wife's name.

Clouseau, who is always eager to prove his worth, sets out to solve the case with great enthusiasm. However, his clumsy and comical investigation only leads to more chaos and confusion. He accidentally destroys valuable evidence, arrests innocent people, and even gets himself thrown in jail. Meanwhile, the real murderer is still at large, and the clock is ticking.

As the investigation progresses, Clouseau becomes increasingly convinced of Maria's innocence. He falls in love with her and becomes determined to prove her innocence at any cost. His dedication to the case leads to some hilarious situations, such as when he disguises himself as a Spanish flamenco dancer in an attempt to extract a confession from one of the suspects.

The film is full of slapstick humor and physical comedy, with Sellers delivering a masterful performance as the bumbling inspector. His exaggerated French accent and quirky mannerisms add to the hilarity of the film. Elke Sommer also shines as the charming Maria, who is both beautiful and cunning. George Sanders is suitably suave and sophisticated as the murdered Benjamin Ballon.

Apart from the comedy, the film also features an engaging storyline and memorable characters. Herbert Lom is excellent as the frustrated chief inspector, who is constantly exasperated by Clouseau's incompetence. Graham Stark is hilarious as Clouseau's bumbling assistant, Hercule LaJoy. There are also several memorable supporting characters, including a sultry maid and a neurotic judge.

Overall, A Shot in the Dark is a classic comedy film that has stood the test of time. It is a perfect showcase for Peter Sellers' comedic talents and features a well-written script and talented cast. The film has inspired several sequels and has become a cultural icon in its own right.

A Shot in the Dark is a 1964 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 70.