In the Heat of the Night (1967)
Genre: Mystery / Crime
Duration: 109 minuten
Alternative title: De Nacht van Inspecteur Tibbs
Country:
United States
Directed by: Norman Jewison
Stars: Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger and Warren Oates
IMDb score:
7,9 (87.114)
Releasedate: 2 August 1967
In the Heat of the Night plot
"They got a murder on their hands. They don’t know what to do with it."
When the body of an industrialist is found in a small town on the Mississippi, a black man is arrested. The interrogation, conducted in a brutal and biased manner by Police Chief Bill Gillespie, reveals that the man himself is a police officer. His name is Virgil Tibbs, top detective in the Philadelphia Department of Homicide. Although Tibbs and Gillespie can hardly breathe, they are nevertheless obliged to solve the murder case together. Tibb's suspicions go to the aristocratic Eric Endicott, a supporter of the old Southern values. But in the end he has to conclude that his suspicions are also based on prejudice. As the investigation progresses, Tibbs and Gillespie develop more and more respect for each other.
Actors and actresses
Virgil Tibbs
Police Chief Bill Gillespie
Deputy Sam Wood
Deputy Courtney
Mrs. Leslie Colbert
Ralph
Mayor Schubert
Harvey Oberst
Eric Endicott
Mr. Purdy
Reviews & comments
Dievegge
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- 3094 messages
- 8010 votes
It is not so much the murder mystery that makes the difference, but the acting duel between the two protagonists and the theme of segregation in the South. Sidney Poitier plays the affable, intelligent African-American who doesn't get upset except for the one time when he returns a punch to Endicott - those punches were real, by the way. Rod Steiger plays a biased, gum-chewing Southerner who gradually repents. The two grow towards each other in partly improvised dialogues. Except for Poitier, everyone speaks with a southern accent.
mr. Tibbs immediately falls victim to racial profiling when Wood arrests him and addresses him as "boy". African Americans in Mississippi had a hopeless existence. Slavery had been abolished, but most still worked as farm laborers or domestic servants. Some had a small shop or a garage. Unfortunately, work could not be done in the state of Mississippi for safety reasons. Most of the shooting was set in Sparta, Illinois, while the story is set in Sparta, Mississippi - a place that is actually more than sixty miles from the Mississippi River.
The story is a whodunit with all the solid ingredients. Interrogations and detective work are interspersed with a few action scenes. There is a good alternation between tension, humor and social themes. The bluesy music of Quincy Jones and the voice of Ray Charles match the atmosphere of the South.
Film Pegasus (moderator films)
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- 30821 messages
- 5355 votes
An important film in its time, if I'm not mistaken, also the first time we got a black actor in the lead in a color film. The story of a murder case in Mississippi on a warm and sweltering night, with the tension of a black inspector and the accompanying racism and prejudice. That cocktail makes for a very interesting yet poignant story. The production shows that film and reality are not far apart. It was too dangerous for Poitier to film effectively in Mississippi. Some scenes were from that region and Poitier apparently slept those few nights with a gun under his pillow...
Poitier is brilliant in this film and is assisted in the lead by Rod Steiger. Tibbs who just wants to go home as soon as possible because of the bad treatment and Gillespie doesn't want outside interference, especially not from a black cop! But they depend on each other and the respect gradually grows. Although you can't say that for the rest of the area.
A fascinating film that may have lost some of its impact over the years, but is broadly still relevant. Well made with lovely music by Quincy Jones and Poitier in form. Nice to see you again.
Fisico (moderator films)
-
- 10000 messages
- 5397 votes
This must be my first Poitier (not counting I am not your negro), a shame really now that this man has come to go. A pioneer in the film world and this film immediately shows why. Of course the racial discrimination is not unknown to me and certainly not at that time, but the combination between detective film and the processing of this racism is well done and is in nice balance with the film.
It's amazing how in just about every scene Mr. Tibbs is opposed and not even taken seriously as a police officer. In addition, he commands respect by telling up to three times that they have caught the wrong perpetrator. You stand there naked and the sheriff realizes this soon. He is mr. Tibbs would rather get rid of it, but knows he can't live without it.
Interesting also in a movie for prejudice is that also Mr. Tibbs could be wrong about this if he puts the cotton farmer to the test and initially draws the wrong conclusions. The sheriff was there like the chickens to throw at him that he is no better than herself.
Fascinating and fine film with a sultry tense atmosphere. I just read here from Dievegge that the film was even shot in Illinois and not in Mississippi because of the loaded nature of the film. Doesn't surprise me, but the fact is striking.
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