In the Heat of the Night Review-By Michael Carlisle

Title: In the Heat of the Night
Year: 1967
Director: Norman Jewison
Country: U.S
Language: English 

Cinematic history has been filled with great African American actors like Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman and Jamie Foxx. Perhaps the greatest African American actor to grace the screen is Sidney Poitier, a man who paved the way for the black actors of the future. Despite the incredible racism at the time in his country, Poitier would overcome and make a great career out of playing prominent black characters who would triumph despite being born disadvantaged. In the Heat of the Night is not only one of those films, but it's perhaps his greatest film.

In the Heat of the Night revolves around Detective Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier), who is caught up in the racial tension of the US South when he is arrested after the murder of a prominent businessman. Tibbs was simply waiting for his next train at the station in Sparta, Mississippi and the confusion is soon resolved but when local police chief Gillespie (Rod Steiger) learns that Tibbs is the Philadelphia PD's number one homicide expert, he reluctantly asks for his assistance. There is no doubt that Tibb's life is in danger, but he wishes to stay in the racially charged environment until the killer is found.

In the Heat of the Night is a well-crafted murder mystery with a racial twist. It's a solid, unpredictable "whodunit" with beautiful cinematography and crisp direction from Norman Jewison. The acting is quite well done, not only is Poitier convincing but Steiger as well. Both actors deserved an Academy Award, but both actors could not win it so it's understandable that Steiger would come out on top. The dialogue in this film is well-written. It provides the film with a tense, suspenseful atmosphere, and its incredibly memorable line "They call me Mr. Tibbs!"

Some people criticize this film by suggesting that its message is far from subtle, that the lines are too clearly defined, that the racism is too overt. Indeed the racism is very out in the open, however this seems to be realistic when reading about and understanding the historical context of this film. This was 1967, this was the south; this was how it was. It was only a few years after Martin Luther King had a dream, and a few years before The Civil Rights Bill was passed. If anything, In the Heat of the Night didn't portray southern racism realistically enough. Though if it did, it might have turned into a horrific torture film.

In conclusion, In the Heat of the Night is a tension filled mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout its entirety. It could be preachy, but it isn't. It could be fast paced action movie, but it isn't that either. It is well thought out and is perfectly paced. The film is definitely one of the most important Academy Award "Best Picture" winners of all time. Praise it! 5/5