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In the Heat of the Night (1967) Reviews

In the Heat of the Night (1967)
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The winner of the 1967 Oscar for Best Picture (as well as four other Oscars), In the Heat of the Night is set in a small Mississippi town where an unusual murder has been committed. Rod Steiger plays sheriff Bill Gillespie, a good lawman despite his racial prejudices. When Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier), a well-dressed northern African-American, comes to town, Gillespie instinctively puts him under arrest as a murder suspect. Tibbs reveals himself to be a Philadelphia police detective; after he and Gillespie come to a grudging understanding of one another, Tibbs offers to help in Gillespie's investigation. As the case progresses, both Gillespie and Tibbs betray a tendency to jump to culture-dictated conclusions. Still, the case is solved thanks to the informal teamwork of the two law officers. Based on the novel by John Ball, In the Heat of the Night inspired two sequels, both starring Poiter as Virgil Tibbs. In 1987, a TV series version of In the Heat of the Night appeared, with Carroll O'Connor as Gillespie and Howard Rollins as Tibbs. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, (more)
Director(s):
Norman Jewison
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(30 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Lynn B.

A truly classic movie with flawless acting by Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger. Had not seen it for years - but think I like it even more now - illustrates the culture of that era in that region.

Yes   |   No


John C.

Excellent film. Poitier and Steiger are outstanding.

Yes   |   No


Bruce S.

It's really hard to believe that this is the way black people were treated back then.

Yes   |   No


DANIEL R.

i rented this last week, having first seen it when i was a teenager. SIDNEY POITIER'S best line of course in this film of racial tension in the south was (THEY CALL ME MISTER TIBBS !!). POTIER and ROD STEIGER very good but POTIER was even better in TO SIR WITH LOVE.

Yes   |   No


Linda N.

I really enjoy this movie. Sidney Poitier always give his best. I enjoy all of his movies. And the way Rod Steiger shows his work on the screen is good.

Yes   |   No


Ruth E.

Sidney Poitier never disappoints!!! Love to hear him talk -- and his acting is always superb! Loved the film -- would watch it again!

Yes   |   No


Robert L.

Very good story, brilliantly acted, this is a great movie because it holds up very well 33 years later.

Yes   |   No


Jen T.

The movie is entertaining and worth watching simply as a movie. It becomes more powerful when considering the release date and the impact it would have had at that time.

Yes   |   No


SANDHYA P.

I agree with the reviewer who says this movie has relevance today too. Racism can be very subtle but that is felt even today in USA. This movie reminds you this racial divide ended not too long ago. But as the other reviewr said, thank god its not this bad now a days . I liked the acting much better than the direction and the way the story was laid out.The best acting though is by the sherrif . Sidney Poitier , who acts really well( see" guess who's home for dinner" for his better performance ) is a little stiff . This is the way he was asked to play the role , I guess. I recommend watching this movie and I liked it a lot.

Yes   |   No


Glenn B.

First and foremost, this is an Oscar winner for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, and some category for screenplay. So, you know you have the upper-crust of entertainment, but one that people forget. It's not a brazenly bright Oscar winner, like some before and after it. It's dated, but definitely not to the point where it takes away from the movie. It also happens to be extremely good. This prize is almost completely due to Rod Steiger, the shades of racists that comprise the supporting cast, the mystery plot, and a good portion because of Sidney Poitier. This latter man, while professionally good and who fits the part like it was a glove, seemed at times to be stiff. The supporting cast are stereotypical Southern racists (but what are we trying to condemn here? Racism and what? Oh, stereotypes) that add humor and leverage to the story. But it is Steiger, first a 2D racist Sheriff but at the end a developed and sympathetic character, that truly makes this a great watch. A-

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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Member Reviews
Read all (30)
 
Lynn B.

A truly classic movie with flawless acting by Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger. Had not seen it for years - but think I like it even more now - illustrates the culture of that era in that region.

Yes   |   No

 
John C.

Excellent film. Poitier and Steiger are outstanding.

Yes   |   No

 
Bruce S.

It's really hard to believe that this is the way black people were treated back then.

Yes   |   No

 
Read All 30 Reviews
 

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