In the Heat of the Night (1967) Reviews
- Starring:
- Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, (more)
- Director(s):
- Norman Jewison
- Category:
- Mystery & Suspense
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Member Reviews
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger are excellent on the screen. Their bantering and fighting lead to a mutual repsect and understanding. I made my teenagers watch this film, and they were stunned by the ... Read More Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger are excellent on the screen. Their bantering and fighting lead to a mutual repsect and understanding. I made my teenagers watch this film, and they were stunned by the overt prejudices displayed. It was a great film to prompt a discussion about how "things" were in the south in the 60's. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful Sidney Poitier is one of the best actors in cinematic history. His performance was flawless and captivating---- one in which I was always wondering what was running through his mind. His intellect ... Read More Sidney Poitier is one of the best actors in cinematic history. His performance was flawless and captivating---- one in which I was always wondering what was running through his mind. His intellect and articulation as Mr. Tibbs left one feeling nothing but respect for this man. Rod Steiger gave an Oscar performance too. He did not over-act his part, and he was believable as the biggoted Chief of police. The racism was so hard to see. I don't see as much of that today, in this generation; at least, not to the extent this film portrayed rural 1960's America. It's a great movie though, if not for the acting alone! Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful The movie is a great story that displays the tension and racial hatred in the south that pervaded the culture of the time, juxtaposed by a successful black man forced to confront his own prejudices ... Read More The movie is a great story that displays the tension and racial hatred in the south that pervaded the culture of the time, juxtaposed by a successful black man forced to confront his own prejudices and overcome them to do the job he's been asked to but doesn't want to do. Another groundbreaking performance by Sidney Poitier, for whom groundbreaking performances were routine (c.f. Guess Who's Coming To Dinner.) The story moves at a good pace and challenges many of the stereotypes that existed in that world, culminating in an unlikely respect between two men from completely different worlds. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful 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 ... Read More 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. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful 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 ... Read More 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- Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful Becuase the southern good old boy who the sherif in the film is, is still alive and well in many parts of the country. I would argue that nothing of this movie feels dated, awesome acting, and a really good mystery on top of that. Well worth anyones timeWAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful Thank God this movie is dated. Racism like that depicted in the time this movie was made looks ridiculous today, and that's a good thing.
As a movie for today's audience, it's kind of a slow, and ... Read More Thank God this movie is dated. Racism like that depicted in the time this movie was made looks ridiculous today, and that's a good thing.
As a movie for today's audience, it's kind of a slow, and not that exciting, unless lengthy foot chases w/ pre-70s "chicka-wacka-wacka" style music are your thing. Can't say I waited to see how it ended. Sidney Poitier is good in it though. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful For its time (during civil rights struggle) this was probably a film that challenged views on race in this country. In that respect, I give it a lot of credit. In the end though, the story of lazy ... Read More For its time (during civil rights struggle) this was probably a film that challenged views on race in this country. In that respect, I give it a lot of credit. In the end though, the story of lazy southern law enforcement officials in a town of bigots dealing with a smart professional black man in a time of race turmoil in the country felt muddled. Not great, not bad. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No |
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