In the Heat of the Night (1967)

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

SPOILER: While this film is typically regarded as a great film about changing race relations during the 1960s, it is never considered a "Pro-Choice" film. Looked at in that way, it's worth considering that all the consequential action in the story - the murder, Tibbs being Shanghaied off the train by Gillespie, the racist assaults and epithets and even the final solving of the crime - all come back to one 16-year-old girl needing an abortion, and no legal, private, confidential abortion service being available for her. Had abortion been legal in Mississippi in 1967, there would have been no murder, no robbery, no Tibbs-Gillespie drama, and no story.

In the heat of the night "A hundred and sixty-two dollars and thirty-nine cents a week? Well boy! Sam, you take him outside but treat him nice, because a man that makes a hundred and sixty-two dollars and thirty-nine cents a week, we do not want to ruffle him! " Even when his intelligence laid on the table, racial preoccupation would still stand the way of his investigation." In the heat of the night" was directed by Norman Jewison in 1967. Different from other crime drama, this story puts more focus on building characters rather than the murder itself. This story described a story of a black police detective uncovered a murder case in a small southern racist town. When detective Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) waiting for a train at the station, a police officer (Rod Steiger) arrested him and accused him of murdering a successful businessman. When he clarified his identity at the police station, the local chief unwillingly asks for his assistance. During the investigation, Virgil's life had been threatened due to racial prejudice. While the racial tensions are growing over time, the hostility of chief is fading... Although storyline evolve around the murder events, still the movie shows a lot of interactions between Virgil and other characters. It draws audiences focus on the question: Can Virgil's career excellence overcome the prejudices and successfully reveal the mystery? " In the heat of the night" won a Best Picture Oscar Award by successfully conveyed the pictures of a hot, slimy, and small southern town. In the film, everyone's head was full of beads of sweat; it makes audiences feel the heat of the hot summer. Also, the characters often held an iced coke in their hand, and it reminds viewers the thirsty feeling of a hot day. By using small details and high saturated color, the film creates realistic pictures of the environment. The chief was very well acted, his accent and the noisy sound of gums also enhanced the impression of his personality. Overall, this is an engaging, entertaining, and well-acted movie.

This is possibly a very rare flawless mystery thriller. Everything goes well and the audience are attracted to it. It is also elevated by the stellar performances of Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger, and by the social satire theme about racism. Most of the white men in the town are prejudiced against black people. Yet in the end it is a negro who solves the murder case.

'In the Heat of the Night' was the winner of five Oscars with Norman Jewison for Best Director and the sound editing also receiving nominations, all richly deserved, especially the Best Picture and Best Actor.Although the Best Picture was a strong one, apart from 'Doctor Doolittle', 'In the Heat of the Night' this reviewer finds the best of the five and also one of the greatest films of the 60s.Visually, 'In the Heat of the Night' is an incredibly well-made film with cinematography that's both beautiful and gritty. It is immaculately directed also by Norman Jewison, who directed several other great films, and film and sound editing are also very good, fluid with a suitable unpleasantness which suits the atmosphere well and thrillingly authentic. Quincy Jones' soundtrack at least fits and evokes some good atmosphere, the title song sung by Ray Charles is a classic.The script is incredibly thought-provoking with the racial tension tensely and vividly drawn, never resorting to heavy-handedness or talking at you, something that films with heavy subjects don't always achieve. The "they call me Mr Tibbs" line is iconic. The story is a gripping powerhouse and very ahead of and daring for its time with tremendous power, edge and emotion.Characters are compelling, and the acting couldn't have been better. Rod Steiger has never been better as the bigoted police chief, and Sidney Poitier matches him every step of the way in a subtler and no less powerful performance. Warren Oates and Anthony James stand out in the uniformly strong supporting cast.Overall, fantastic film and one of the greatest films of its decade. 10/10 Bethany Cox