Great Film overall

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

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

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

"In the Heat of the Night" is a 1967 crime mystery film directed by Norman Jewison, based on the novel by John Ball. The screenplay was written by Stirling Silliphant, and it starred Rod Steiger and Sidney Portier. The movie was revolutionary for its time, as Sidney Portier was the first black lead in movie history. "In the Heat of the Night" starts with the murder of one Mr. Colbert, a rich businessman who wants to build a factory in the racially heated town of Sparta Mississippi. The police accidentally arrest Sidney Portier's character, Virgil Tibbs, out of suspicion due to the racial stereotyping that plagues the town. Tibbs is revealed to be the Philidelphia PD's number one homicide expert, who is just taking a train south to visit his mother. When this fact is revealed to police chief Gillespie, played by Rod Seiger, it shows both how incompetent the police force is and how racially tense the town is. After Gillespie calls the Philidelphia police chief to confirm Tibbs's identity, the chief tells Tibbs to stay and help in the investigation. Tibbs reluctantly agrees and shows that he is definitely capable as a detective, clearing the name of one of the suspects in the process. Mr. Colbert's wife suspects Mr. Endicott, a racist plantation owner who would have the most to lose if the factory was made. But as discrimination against Tibbs rises, the police force must learn to work together with Tibbs to solve the case. One of the movie's biggest strengths is its great acting. The actors don't overplay their parts, for the most part, but they still create a sense of believability. Rod Steiger in particular does an excellent performance, giving the audience the performance of an old, southern sheriff. This shouldn't detract from the excellent acting of Sidney Portier, who takes his character of a grizzled detective who just wants to go home and soars to the stars with it. The acting in this movie is believable, and that is its greatest strength. Unfortunately, "In the Heat of the Night" falls short in initial intrigue. We see that a man has been murdered, but since we don't know much about him, we can't connect to the victim in any way. And while the movie is mostly supposed to focus on the racial tensions of the town, it would've been nice to have at least a little bit of a connection. If "In the Heat of the Night" is a movie held up by its acting, then its acting is a solid titanium alloy. It gives us some of the most realistic acting to come out of the 1960's and its story, while initially slow, builds up into a racially fueled tension mixed with a bit of Sherlock Holmes. "In the Heat of the Night" should be watched by anyone who likes movies that pushed the industry forwards, that show the history of America's racially tense past, or a good crime film.

In the Heat of the Night was thought out very well. The movie had secret meanings that you could only get if you were paying attention. The movie touched on what racism was like during this time. The main male role was played by Sydney Poitier who I think did an amazing job. His role in the movie was to be an upper class officer who travels to a small town because a crime was committed. I rated this movie a six because I enjoyed watching it but I don't think I would ever watch it again. It was very slow in the beginning which ,ay have lost the attention of some people but if you continued to watch it you will become way more interested in it. Even thought the beginning is hard to watch the rest of the movie needed to take that time to explain what was happening. I may not have enjoyed the beginning part of the movie but it necessary to have to prepare you for the rest of the movie in my opinion. The ending of the movie was kind of expected but also not expected at all. I believed that the killer was the planation owner but I was wrong and I realized that as I continued to watch. I think they chose the perfect person to be the killer because he was strange throughout the whole movie and played a perfect role as a mentally weird killer. I enjoyed the twist of the young girl who got pregnant. It added a little more suspense to the movie. Overall I enjoyed it but I don't think I would ever watch it again.

Now here is entertainment wrapped up and delivered right to your door just like a pizza with everything on it fresh & hot ready for the eating. The actors are committed and good at what they do. The story is top notch and the directing captures every scene making this a movie that commands that you see it over and over again despite knowing how it ends. Why? It's just so well-put together. Racism is served up in a believable way and for its time allows the viewer to get a glimpse of the South and its ways and how if you go along you will get along. Today, that strategy is rejected in favor of equal rights and fair-play. Strong performances by Rod Steiger who one can count on and of course Sidney who breaks-out in this movie using his talents and skills realizing he is only black when necessary to the story. He ends up being an example and good role model for a decent human being and friend to all teaching by example too. Notice how twice in this movie, the Police Chief played by Steiger adamantly concludes that this is the way the murder happened and has his mind made up. This is why we take 13 years to execute someone on death row. We need to make sure they are guilty before taking a life. Here, they are quick to take the life and in the south, when anyone in power says you are guilty, I am afraid its so right or wrong. Shame on us for this taking place but it does. Highly recommend a nice meal when watching this and at the least, a decent snack with a tasty drink rewarding yourself completely during the showing. If I had to sum up the lessons given in this movie it would be that character says it all about who and what a human being is and should strive to be. Without this, we are beasts of the field

'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