In the Heat of the Night [DVD] [1967]

What a great film. I had forgotten it. What was the civil war for?

When this film first appeared it was seen as a major artistic statement on race and the issues of segregation. It was a return of American Film taking on contentious issues not really seen since the Macarthy era of blacklists and fear of offending the silent majority. It was a brave film and you sensed that the people involved knew they were making a significant film. Many of the phrases used in the film became instantly used 'call me Mr Tibbs' or more annoyingly Rod Stieger's 'speak to me' when he picked up the phone,try doing that as see the response. Importantly the film had impact, without becoming an ideological tract. The acting is outstanding and the relationship which develops between Rod Stieger and Sidney Poitier is one of the great film performances, the two great actors never bettered this. Having travelled through the Southern States during the sixties ,the film is a true reflection of that time, it is a wonder that Virgil was not killed,many died for far less. The film also shows weaknesses in all the characters, it is an adult film, Virgil Tibbs could be as wrong as the southern sheriff acted by Rod Stieger. The key point of the film is that it is what unifies us rather than divides that is important and this needed affirming at a very critical point in the history of the United States. Film is important.

One of my favourite films .like most of Sidney Poitiers films this is one of his best .expect language of the 60s.

This is a story a black policeman coming to small Mississippi town coincidently. And he has to solve a murder case. People of town entirely mediocre, and of racist. Characters are fantastic, artists performances are great. Settings and dialogs are very classical; so classical great movie.

I watched this movie some 30 years ago and remembered the red thread of the plot, but now I wanted to see it again and bought the dvd here on Amazon. Sidney Poitier is the star of the film, which focus on the race problem in America and especially in the south in the 1960:s Poitier was part of the civilrights movement and made two great movies that put the finger on the race problem in America(In the heat of the night and Guess whos coming to dinner).When I saw it now, 2012, its still a great movie, but the real star of the movie is Rod Steiger, the redneck sheriff in the town where Poitier happens to be at the wrong time at the wrong place. Just one example; watch the scene when Steiger finds out that the man they have arrested for murder is a "real" policeman from way up north, just watch Steigers face! Sure Poitier is good, but look out for Steiger, without him the movie would fall flat down in its sometimes too "black and white" view of the problem of racism in the south. Some things in the movie are very 60:s so to speak, but some scenes will never be outdated, they are just as real today, 2012, buy the movie and go and figure it out for yourself whereever you live. Its a very good way to spend an Sunday afternoon or evening.

I saw this film as a teenager on black and white television, and it was memorable then, yet strangely it doesn’t seem to have had much exposure since. Prompted to view it again by Sidney Poitier’s recent passing, it was if anything more gripping than half a century ago. It was Rod Steiger who landed the best actor gong as the bigoted and incompetent police chief of a Mississippi backwater, but this film is remembered more as one if Poitier’s finest, and IMO his best by far. I confess to not being his greatest fan. Poitier often appeared to play the same character over and over again: impossibly cool, calm and collected, as emphasised by the impeccable grooming and that so elegant voice, with its carefully measured delivery, precise diction and mid-Atlantic accent. Those features are all present in homicide detective Virgil Tibbs, but subtle variations show real anger, and triumph, and also fear when he is cornered by a gang of redneck thugs in a deserted building. To judge how real this is as an illustration of the time and place probably requires an American upbringing of that era, which I do not have, but it resonates with childhood memories of travelling through Mississippi and adjoining Deep South states shortly before this film was released, an experience still recalled as trying. A great film that has lost none of its potency.

This film won best picture Oscar in 1967. It was one of a number of distinguished liberal American films made at the time of the growth of the Civil Rights movement -'To Kill a Mockingbird' was another - when the US was very much a divided nation, with African Americans, as the term now is - it wasn't then - still very much an underprivileged, underrepresented sector of society. Now, when Barak Obama has just announced his intention to run for the Presidency, the film has a certain period, nostalgic feel to it (not that all the race-based problems in the US have been solved by any means). But that does not stop it from being a cracking good film. It's well plotted, very well directed and very atmospherically set. But what really sets it apart is the chemistry between Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) and the local small-town Southern sheriff (Rod Steiger), by birth and upbringing no 'nigger-lover' but at the same time intelligent enough to recognise ability and integrity when he sees them, so that the two eventually form a strange alliance against the deep-rooted prejudices of the town. Steiger in particular is terrific. Ar the end of the film, when they take their farewells of each other, their genuine respect, understated as it would be with two such men, is very moving. Anyway, every minute of this film is totally absorbing and I recommend it highly.

Einer unserer Lieblingsfilme. Um die Zeit zuverstehen, um was ueber Vorurteile aufbeiden Seiten zu lernen und auch ueber Respekt.

Classic movie about the deep south & the unfortunate times of the era.

"In the Heat of the Night" won the Oscar for Best Picture of 1967. I was a Freshman in college that year, and all the talk was about "Bonnie and Clyde", a great film. "The Graduate" was doing the art-house circuit, and wasn't widely seen at the time. "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" was, at the time, considered ostentatious (a rich Black man marrying the daughter of a rich White couple...how shocking!); the fifth nominee that year was Rex Harrison's "Doctor Dolittle", but I don't want to talk about that. I find that, 25 years later, I pull out "In the Heat of the Night" to get my kicks from brilliant film-making, as well as good suspense and fine acting and direction. This was Norman Jewison's first nomination for Direction, and not his last. Some say he lost it to Mike Nichols for "The Graduate" because Nichols probably should've won for his debut film effort, "Virginia Woolf?".Maybe. Some say Rod Steiger won his acting Oscar because he lost in '65 for "The Pawnbroker". I doubt it. In my humble opinion, this was Steiger's penultimate role, a man who is so sure of himself, yet is taken down a peg by someone better. He will never show his insecurity, though you know it's there. I also believe, after watching this often, that Steiger's Gillespie is NOT racist, merely dealing with a racist environment. It's mentioned that he's the new sheriff, but it never says where he came from. This is good, because Steiger starts from scratch, builds a compelling character, shows a bit of lack-of-control, and it makes him nervous an wonderfully vulnerable. His mind is usually open. Virgil teaches him; hence, whatever happens later can only be for his benefit. Great characters. Poitier was in 3 good films in 1967: this one, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", "To Sir, With Love". I'm sure that, when nomination time came, his votes were divided. For this reason alone, I think he would've won. The performances of Lee Grant, Quentin Dean and Scott Wilson (he was in "In Cold Blood" that year) were stellar. The great old gospel singer, Jester Hairston, also had a small role; he dubbed the singing for Poitier's Oscar winning role in "Lilies of the Field" ("Amen!"). Interesting stuff! Sterling Silliphant's screenplay won the Oscar hands-down, a riveting narrative of a complicated book. The greatest thing about Steiger's performance is that you know nothing about him or his background when the film begins, or even when it's over. What you know is that he's stuck in a place he doesn't like and no one likes him; there are suggested gay overtones, especially when he's in his home and he and Virgil talk about loneliness. It's quite profound when he doesn't get the answer he wants. There's also the great Beah Richards, in a small cameo, as Mama Kaleba; a sweet but nonetheless reprehensible character; she was nominated that year for "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", as Poitier's wonderfully heart-broken mother, a fine performance. Yes, 1967 was a great year. "The Graduate" broke a few barriers; "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" broke some, and, certainly, "Bonnie & Clyde" made bad guys look good. Don't forget Richard Brooks' "In Cold Blood"...A great year, but I still think "In the Heat of the Night" is the film I prefer to watch.

Très bon film. Livraison parfaite.

Review of the film - "In the Heat of the Night" has a lot going for it including (1) Best Picture of 1967 (both Oscar and Golden Globe), (2) Great mystery that will keep you guessing, (3) Moving performances by Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger (Oscar and Golden Globe winner), and others (see below), (4) Sharp and intelligent dialogue (written by Stirling Silliphant, winner of Oscar and Golden Globe for adapted screenplay), Precise and methodical direction (by Norman Jewison, nominated for Oscar and Golden Globe), Memorable music score by Quincy Jones (Grammy nominee), (6) Mostly shot on location in and around Sparta, Illinois (not in Sparta, Mississippi where the story is set) with many places still findable including the bridge where Rod Steiger slowly chases down the suspect, Harvey Oberst! The Chester Bridge across the Mississippi River connects Chester, Illinois and Perryville, Missouri. (7) Many memorable lines by Poitier and Steiger that have become part of film history including "They call me, Mister Tibbs!". (8) Other performances are also noteworthy by Lee Grant, Warren Oates, Larry Gates (the recipient of "The Slap!"), Beah Richards (always wonderful), Quentin Dean ("Delores", seen nicely through a window with strategically placed mullions!), and Scott Wilson (As the aforementioned suspect chased down slowly by Rod Steiger, this was Scott Wilson's first film role. Scott is best known today for his charismatic role as "Hershel Greene" in "The Walking Dead"! You've come a long way, Scott! "In the Heat of the Night" truly is a classic as are both of Sidney Poitier's other 1967 films: "To Sir With Love" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner". Review of the Blu-ray disc - It provides the best viewing of "In the Heat of the Night" yet! I have the VHS tape and earlier DVD discs and the Blu-ray is nearly perfect. The colors and the sound have never appeared or sounded better. It is also the best wide screen version I have ever seen including the original screenings in Atlanta in 1967. Extras for films that are this old (47 years!) are not always available or of very good quality. The ones included here are not new (I do not think) but they have not (to my knowledge) been available before. All are enjoyable.