In the Heat of the Night
1967 Directed by Norman Jewison
Synopsis
They got a murder on their hands. They don't know what to do with it.
An African American detective is asked to investigate a murder in a racist southern town.
Cast
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“They call me MISTER Tibbs!”
-Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier)I remember the very first time I was made to watch this, a good few years ago in an English class. Back then, it’s fair to say I didn’t have the appreciation for ‘classic’ films, such as this, as I do nowadays. I can recall it being good, enough for me to remember certain scenes vividly, but hardly spectacular.
Forward three whole years, after watching it for just the second time in my life, I am truly at a loss. How, I find myself asking, how had I gone so long without so much as a thought to rewatch this, this winner of five Oscars, this much acclaimed piece of cinema?… -
I'd heard about it before but a friend of mine recommended it not too long ago when discussing films that we would like to see remade on the Failed Critics podcast. I'm not sure it needs to be remade to be honest at there doesn't seem to be too much missing from this! I thought it was excellent. Poitier is excellent as the black detective, he can say a lot without opening his mouth. His expression, particularly in the scene early on in the cell when he's just staring, is so intense that when he just snaps his fingers, it really does make you jump too.
The level of the racism here is very uncomfortable to watch, not because it's…
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Haven't seen this movie since I was a teenager. I've got a much bigger appreciation of it this time around.
Always thought Poitier was the standout performer, but he gets blown out of the water by Steiger, in an outstanding turn, that doesn't get affected by Jewison's poor choice of ending.As far as the story goes, I felt the racism is a bit datet, and it works much better as a crime story. No big surprises, perhaps, but it doesn't really matter, as the acting drives the story along at brisk pace.
A bit disappointed by Oates, but he hasn't got very much to work with as the somewhat dimwhitted deputy. -
Another Oscar winner watched and this was a great crime thriller.
I love these types of films where they relay on the dialogue rather than having pointless action that's just not necessary.
Sidney Poittier is fantastic in the role and I was shocked to see he wasn't nominated for an Oscar for this film, he had won a few years earlier.
All in all a great thriller.
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Sidney Poitier's big city cop is obliged to aid a rural Mississippi police chief to solve a murder. A traditional presentation of southern racism, where the white people are uniformly portrayed as racist, redneck idiots. The only subtlety is to be found in Rod Steiger's police chief, who recognises Poitier's talent, but is also inclined to believe in the superiority of whites. The action drags a little in parts, but it is a solid outing overall. I'm not sure I've ever seen a Poitier film, but on the strength of this one, I'm not really sure what all the fuss is about - he's quite the ham, it seems. I suppose I'll have to reserve judgement until I've seen more of him.
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pretty much a perfect movie.
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A somewhat benign mystery story that easily entertains, but doesn't quite provoke deep thought.
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In 1967, In the Heat of the Night won best picture. At the time this was a startling success for a New Hollywood picture which broke from convention. It wasn't a conventional drama, it dealt with racial issues in an upfront manner and it even showed a black man slapping a white man (gasp!).
In some ways, time hasn't been kind to In the Heat of the Night. What once seemed a breathtakingly honest portrayal of racism has begun to seem quite Oscar-baity. Many of the racial elements seem tacked on, only to bumblingly remind the viewer of the central theme of the story. But it does still have interesting ideas about discrimination, especially in Rod Steiger's character. Steiger's police…
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Thriller racial, que a mesura que avança el metratge s'acaba convertint més en una lluita de l'Est contra l'Oest, que la lògica problèmatica entre el Nord i el Sud. L'Amèrica esclavista en tot el seu esplandor acompanyat per un gran Sidney Poitier.
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Rarely is a film so perfectly crafted in every way and also asks the important questions along the way. At once a murder mystery and also a discussion on race, it is plotted so precisely that you will sometimes forget to breathe. Sydney Poitier delivers the immortal, “They call me Mr. Tibbs!” line but really, the star of this movie is the late, great Rod Steiger who turns in a career-best performance.
My only regret is not having discovered this movie earlier and known that it would be one of my favorite films of all time.
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"They call me MISTER Tibbs!" - Virgil Tibbs(Sidney Poitier)
Another fantastic netflix available classic I have been avoiding for a while! Recommended to anyone who has it and is yet to see this! Strong acting from Poitier and a career best from Rod Steiger(HE LOOKS LIKE BILL MURRAY!). With a brilliant score and direction from Norman Jewison.
Centered around a murder in a small racist town in Mississippi, it tackles the problems faced by black people in a southern state still in full backlash of the passing of the civil rights act. Focusing on the treatment of a black policeman - Virgil Tibbs - by the racist police force who falsely arrest him under the impression the money he has…
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A solid film. Would recommend.
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Entertaining detective thriller, with great performances from Poitier and Steiger.