Featuring a great soundtrack and a grade-A leading man, this film is incredibly enjoyable, even if you're not a fan of older movies. Sidney Poitier is possibly the best actor to come from this time period, and he definitely leads the film. Although it is hindered by its failure to commit at times, the plot is driving and suspenseful, and makes for a great crowd-pleaser of a film.

The mystery itself is not much to write home about, bu Poitier and Steiger are both magnificent. The complex interplay between the two of them make a good a script even better, helping to create a film that is not only about racism, but is also about pride, humility and learning to work together.

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...DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE DOH-OO-ONE??? - Phil Collins

Everything we look for in a good film: intelligent, tense, powerful. I've heard people say once timely, now timeless. How perfectly apt.

Wonderful mystery, great portrayal of the deep south in that time-period. The slapping scene is totally awesome.

The racial confrontations and stuff were a lot of fun; the murder mystery though was considerably less satisfying. I wasn't terribly surprised by the resolution (of course, their casting of Norman Bates' kid brother helped my sleuthing skills considerably); still don't really see why he did it though (unless it was just cuz he was a psycho). Wexler's a champ as always. Btw there sure are a lot of cockamamie country tunes to choose from! The classic "Mr Tibbs" line was ADR (I do believe).

somewhat an artifact of its time, but a dramatically sound one. Jewison makes his points with care, always grounding conflicts in believable situations populated by well-drawn characters. What it lacks in subtlety, it makes up for in gripping storytelling. Steiger consistently plays the material a step or two off expectations, relaxed when others would bring heat, forceful when it seems that a quieter approach is called for. It's an exciting unpredictability that flows over to the entire film.

Above average cop thriller.quiet good acting by Poitier

Exciting, superbly acted and directed film.

A race tensed film about a black Philadelphia detective who was just passing by at a racist southern town at the wrong time. "They call me, Mister Tibbs!"

Doesn't pack as big of a punch today as I'm sure it did when it first came out. A bit dated, but still a fantastic movie. Some scenes are still pretty tense, like when the 4 guys corner Poitier in that building. I thought the solution to the mystery was a bit unsatisfying, almost too much of a stretch. Still, this is a worthwhile movie to see.

I THINK I'M RACIST AGAINST SOUTHERNERS NOW.

The racial tension is as advertised, realistic and just as thick and oppressive as the Mississippi summer heat it take place in. But the plot is a mess, the kind of hackneyed mystery that has to resort to forcing the hero into a series of tasks (that only he can solve!) in order to justify his existence in the story. Of course without these contrivances the rightfully lauded interaction with the irascible sheriff wouldn't be possible, but this doesnt make the lazy plotting any less insulting.

Jewisons's Sparta, Mississippi is a fantastic portrayal of a rough Southern town in the 1960s. Great atmosphere and wonderful acting by Steiger and Poitier. The plot is nothing to be amazed over, but, paired with the aforementioned, In the Heat of the Night is a true classic in the crime drama genre.

An intelligent and important piece, although the evolution of Gillespie is a bit odd and comes across as a bit contrived. In conclusion, Sidney Poitier is really cool.

Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger give outstanding performances in this film. There are many scenes full of tension and the story is interesting all the way. I definitely recommend this drama.

A very unique crime drama where the investigator is hated more than the perpetrator.

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