In the Heat of the Night (1967)

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An African American detective is asked to investigate a murder in a racist southern town. (imdb)

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Directed By: Norman Jewison

Written By: Stirling Silliphant, John Ball

Starring: Rod Steiger, Sidney Poitier, William Schallert, Lee Grant, Warren Oates, Scott Wilson, Larry Gates, Beah Richards, Peter Whitney, James Patterson, Quentin Dean, Kermit Murdock

Genres: Drama, Suspense/Thriller, Crime, Mystery

Franchise: Mr. Tibbs

Country: USA

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In the Heat of the Night belongs to 84 collections

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50. Roger Ebert's Top 10 Films of 1967 (public - 1 star)

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All Ratings | With Reviews

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TCI | Percentile | Date Rated | # Stars (Reviews)

Stars	User	Rating
8	Leonardis	97 _95%
This movie was just freakin great. It's age shows and I like that. It works for a movie like this. I wasn't alive when it came out, but I'm sure it was something to see in the 60s. The leads are extremely good and the supporting cast is as well, and I thought the story was really original and surprising, even if it's culprit is a little obvious. Some of the scenes are really well shot and the score is really good as well. Entertaining and really well-made.
7	juntakinte99	95 _90%
Recent film fans have been obsessed with the idea of "social thrillers"--which frequently are just horror films that torture black leads. This film is the real template for the concept. Jewison married Hollywood mystery motifs (towns as characters, displaced detectives, murder) with social obstacles of 1960's America (anti-black racism, abortion, wealth inequality). The filmmaking is amazing with two classic acting performances, quotable dialogue, conscious cinematography, and great music.
6	hellboy76	97 _99%
Clearly the mystery takes a back seat to the obvious social messages and powerhouse acting from both leads. Considering this came out when there was active, open violence towards blacks trying to vote etc., it must have been something to see.
5	eveelun	73 _52%
Poitier and Steiger are great, portraying interesting and complicated characters - as a drama this movie works pretty well. As a mystery, though, it's kind of cheap - some characters act inexplicably just to draw out suspense, and there are leaps in logic that seem a bit contrived and forced, so the mystery's solution feels pretty unsatisfying.
5	Jasongirl67	75 _70%
Very good film that's subject is still relevant today Rod Steiger is good as the sheriff of a back woods racist town Sidney Poitier ( in my opinion ) gives his best film performance he has a quiet anger that is palpable Classic tagline ......They call me Mr. Tibbs !
5	doctor7	87 _88%
I wouldn't consider this film dated so much as a depiction of racism of racism in the past, just like many films made now do. With that said it's fantastic. I haven't seen much with Poitier in it but after this I most certainly will.
5	terrymac	88 _96%
While the underlying detective story isn't wholly satisfying, the rest of the film has much to commend it. The character work from Poitier and Steiger is excellent, and the film itself is very well put together; direction, editing, sound all first-class. Tense, atmospheric and challenging, and well worth seeing.
5	Jeb	99 _95%
In the Heat of the Night is a potent and prevailing drama concentrating on the pessimistic and forbidding themes of racism. Sidney Poitier is unparalleled and prodigiously monumental as the enormously offended African American detective, while Steiger follows him up with a almost superior supporting role. With an assorted, diverse array of Oscars and nominations under its belt, it's undoubtly and absolutely a heavyweight candidate for best crime film ever made. One of the best thrillers ever.
5	KasperL	80 _86%
Effective thriller. Good work from Poitier, but this is Steiger's flick.
4	Carpetgiant	85 _64%
Pretty good, but not quite "slap yo momma" good. Maybe "slap yo ignorant wealthy plantation owner" good, but just barely.
4	martryn	97 _99%
Steiger and Poitier playing against each other, with a compelling mystery set against the backdrop of racial tensions. This movie will always be relevant.
4	Vandelay1	82 _91%
Nice Movie
4	Grit	86 _92%
One of those films that I would recommend strongly to anyone just on the acting brilliance alone. Classic crime drama.
4	DavidKahane	95 _92%
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.
4	Pickpocket	8 _82%
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.
4	Maaxwell	85 _86%
The main investigation story takes a back seat in this Southern murder mystery, with the film's focus instead lying firmly on the begrudging relationship between a white police chief and a black detective. The racism theme is handled in an impressively thought-provoking manner, and the fantastic direction, script and pacing means there's never a dull moment. Steiger and Poitier are exceptional in their respective roles.
4	Okkervil	80 _83%
Steiger absolutely owns the whole movie, he's just so good in this. Poitier is excellent too, and with so much of the movie devoted to one, the other, or both of them being on screen there is very little that can go wrong. The last 15 minutes feel a touch loose, and the mystery reveal is no bombshell, but "In the Heat of the Night" still holds much of its relevance nearly 50 years later, inspite of some dated moments. Engrossing viewing.
4	TimeCapsule	92 _95%
A murder mystery in the deep south led by an out of town black police detective is the perfect setting for some fantastic character work from both Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger. The discovery of who done it, is ultimately unimportant to the real discovery the two main characters do about themselves and each other trying to successfully navigate the racial tension prevalent throughout the film.
3	Trooth	85 _91%
This is the best Sidney Poitier movie I've seen so far. The murder mystery story is pretty good, but the best part of the movie is the tension present in pretty much every scene. I guess that'll happen when there's one black guy in pretty much the racist-est southern town ever.
3	begoniabol	78 _75%
Pretty good thriller, which is more about racism than the crime itself. Tense and infuriating moments, but the revealing didn't blow me away unfortunately. But still pretty good overall
3	NathanDarko	80 _52%
Above average cop thriller.quiet good acting by Poitier
3	myfavchords	86 _89%
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.
3	mattorama12	74 _75%
It works well as both a murder mystery and as a social critique of the racism of the day. However, while both aspects are well done, neither is done superbly. And of course Poitier is incredible.
3	Gigglestick	100 _96%
"They call me Mr. Tibbs!" Possibly Sidney Poitier's finest performance; even better than Lillies of the Field.
3	Seryxa	100 _93%
A tense and exciting thriller that also explores racism through the explosive clash of two contrasting personalities.
3	Moribunny	70 _75%
Check out that god damn cast! Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger AND Warren Oates. One of the five Oscars awarded to this movie went to a well-deserving Rod Steiger, but the other cast members are awesome too. It also reaped Best Picture and Hal Ashby got Best Editing. The Academy actually had taste back in 1967. As a detective movie it's pretty humdrum, but as a drama it's SWEET.
3	willofgaia	85 _58%
The moment where Sidney Poitier slaps the man in the greenhouse is one of the greatest in all cinema history.
3	frederic_g54	7 _57%
I'm glad they didn't dwell on the whole prejudice thing and just moved forward with the story, in which a cool-as-fuck Poitier has to muster the courage and assist a local police department made up mostly of racist, incompetent idiots in solving a small town murder. Not the strongest of all murder mysteries but still a neat cop drama...boy!
3	Stain	80 _68%
Wonderfully '60s thriller. Sidney Poitier is great as usual
3	Ytadel	8 _93%
An altogether solid mystery-thriller. Some of the racial message seems dated circa 2011, but it's important to acknowledge that '67 was a different time and what may be heavyhanded now was revolutionary then. Sidney Poitier dominates.
3	Derekstar	90 _85%
I THINK I'M RACIST AGAINST SOUTHERNERS NOW.
2	damil	75 _81%
It definitely reminded me of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) because they both deal with racial prejudice, star Poitier and were even released in the same year. Poitier is fantastic again, and the film is a pretty good murder mystery.
2	Bagger	85 _93%
Surprisingly tight direction. Though the narrative hasn't aged awfully well, it speaks volumes about the direction that it never gets old or uintentionally hilarious.
2	ktappe	98 _94%
Poitier gives one of the most stirring, empassioned performances you will ever see. Far better than the TV series it inspired, this film is a must see if you are at all interested in interpersonal relationships between motivated characters. It's the cinematic equivalent of what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.
2	ratedargh	85 _75%
The murder investigation itself is the most bland part of the drama. Its exploration into the different forms of hatred, including Tibbs' own retaliatory and blinding rage, is where this becomes a riveting tale. The scene in the greenhouse speaks to the banality of it while the scene with the mob speaks to the chaotic element. While the overt is certainly easier to notice, the covert is potentially even more sinister.
2	Kavu	92 _97%
Excellent all around. Poitier and Steiger play off each other perfectly and Jewison directs with style.
2	hank	90 _92%
Wonderful mystery, great portrayal of the deep south in that time-period. The slapping scene is totally awesome.
2	auhasarderik	9 _91%
A success in all it tries. And it's not an easy mix.
2	3dRevelation	77 _73%
Entertaining. Like others have said, it doesn't have as much of an impact today as it would have back then, but it still is an interesting film. Poitier gives a confident performance and Steiger is good. I also agree with others that the murder wasn't all that great.
2	Monisit	87 _79%
While the murder mystery aspect of the film sort of lacks, the characters more than make up for it.
2	Debaser	90 _55%
Suspenseful racial drama, tensions rise to their boiling points. Great acting all around. Loved this film.
2	ModernMillie	85 _82%
The story is really about two different worlds learning to respect each other, rather than solving a murder. I wish "They Call Me Mr. Tibbs!" had followed him back to Philly because it sounds like there's more of a story there that we want to hear.
2	Filligan	91 _82%
Everything we look for in a good film: intelligent, tense, powerful. I've heard people say once timely, now timeless. How perfectly apt.
2	Lord Moe	89 _82%
Manages to capture both the obvious as well as the subtle aspects of racism. Great acting all around. Sidney Poitier is incredibly charismatic and magnetic and Rod Steiger shows the progression of his character, a good person waking from the racism he was conditioned to believe.
2	SirRobbie	80 _81%
I love Steiger and his "chewing-gum" abilities.
2	TheDiceman	60 _62%
Great film.
2	Mechatigger	100 _91%
Exciting, superbly acted and directed film.
2	Timon88	79 _81%
In general, this flick has aged quite well, although the race-baiting dialog and situations strike one, almost 50 years later, as amusing. Poitier and Steiger are wonderful, and the uneasy bond they form by the end is quite moving. A wonderful way to pass a couple of hours.
2	Quintonjamin	50 _36%
Poitier being in this racist southern town, though sometimes intense, isn't enough to make a movie great and the mystery just isn't written that well.
2	Josie19	75 _77%
IMO, not a great film, but the drama between Tibbs (Poitier) and Gillespie (Steiger) makes this memorable and enduring.
2	billkerwin	90 _83%
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.
2	Med	84 _63%
Really worth seeing, even if it is a bit dated.
2	Ocelot	65 _64%
A very effective film that manages to stand the test of time quite well. The resolution to the mystery is somewhat hap-dash, but the entire plot feels like an excuse -- in a good way. It's a movie about how insignificant racial tension is when it comes to, well, actual tension. Both the leads are great, of course, and their dynamic, along with the film's aesthetic, likely influenced every single 70's cop show. Best Picture? It's not The Graduate, but I'll allow it.
2	Myke	82 _56%
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!"
2	fenixdown	80 _74%
A very unique crime drama where the investigator is hated more than the perpetrator.
2	NathanBates	80 _76%
A powerful film with simmering racism and classism as the main story, and a murder as the subplot (which mostly comes out of left field). The characters are so often holding back their emotions that you feel there will be an explosive confrontation, but then it eases back just enough to make you wonder if you really saw it correctly. Groovy soundtrack too!
2	boomdiddly	93 _94%
Poitier, as always, is on point and this is a well-written mystery.
1	Ceekay19	70 _55%
Virgil Tibbs: "They call me MISTER TIBBS!"
1	svicciarelli	90 _82%
Fantastic.
1	EvilMangoes	93 _78%
A-
1	offlineoz	85 _83%
Under Quarantine Film Reviews #32: The murder is not the focal point, instead it focuses on the dynamics between Tibbs and Gillespie. Dripping with anger and finely acted by the leads, you could switch the year to 2020 with very little changes.
1	Mist600	85 _67%
Scored on years' old memories Need see afain to revise for sure
1	tonydal	75 _56%
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).
1	Boxcars	8 _71%
Dauntless and unstinting in its portrayal of southern racial tensions, "In the Heat of the Night's" themes continue to resonate to this day, overpowering any narrative deficiencies with effective tone and performances.
1	aross	90 _90%
Only on a couple occasions are you reminded that you're watching a movie made in the 60's rather than a more modern period piece set in the 60's. I thought it was a pretty amazing and well-done movie.
1	fra paolo	62 _69%
Very well made, but fifty years on one has to wonder if it flatters white people. I really liked Oscar-winner Steiger, whom others have accused of overacting. He juuusst keeps it under control.
1	thehynes	54 _42%
Fairly standard unexciting Police whodunnit but with a huge layer of race/deep south prejudice heaped on top to make it seem more worthy
1	soarom	90 _78%
My only beef is, this is the third Poitier movie I've seen where he plays a gorgeous black man who makes all white folks around him look bad.
1	psim	76 _54%
While the central whodunit mystery is not particularly compelling, the character dynamics between Poitier and Steiger make this film worth watching. Despite being over 50 years old, this film has more interesting things to say about racism (and does it better) than some movies that are coming out today.
1	WWallce4prez	82 _79%
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.
1	angrypierre	84 _82%
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.
1	Difontaine	83 _85%
A strong black character who doesn't say "Be-yatch", pull out a gun or make white people jokes that are just racist whichever way you carve it.
1	TedDedon	86 _76%
Great crime mystery with phenomenal performances and a cool setting.
1	sebby	75 _83%
Dated in its way, but the leads are immensely great and the film, as a mystery, is tense enough to still be captivating.
1	Ston3_FreeN7	95 _97%
Great, often uncomfortable film that I feel is super important to watch. Poitier is great and I'm really surprised he wasn't even nominated for the role. He has a sort of quiet fury throughout the film that he only occasionally let's bubble up. His relationship with Steiger is interesting because the film never feels like it builds them into friends which is honestly for the better. Even scenes where they let their guards down Steiger inevitably turns back to racism like some sort of shield.

Average Percentile 69.11% from 1721 Ratings