In the Heat of the Night (1967)

This 1967 film took home lots of Oscars for its fascinating drama about a Philadelphia detective (Sidney Poitier) who assists a redneck Southern sheriff (Rod Steiger) in solving a murder. A study in racism that ebbs a bit through the collective and shared need between a black man and a white man who don't want to be working together, the film continues to strike a chord today. Steiger is a mass of snarling danger, Poitier a bundle of nerves covered in class. Norman Jewison (Moonstruck) directs with a keen feeling for the cultural and social atmosphere of the setting. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com essential video

Bad disc

In the Heat of the Night is a bad disc.
I can't display it. I think the regiocode is not good.
Please send a new one. This is the first time I can't display a purchase by you.
I am waiting for the confirmation you sent me a new one.
Regards.
Jos Sluis June 23, 2008

The Birth of the Seventies Police Detective Flick!

This film clearly inspired the kind of distinctive 70's era police detective films to come such as "Shaft" and "Dirty Harry" and even the great score by Quincy Jones evokes memories of the similar sounding ones connected with those two films. As a detective mystery, this film does a very good job in addition to being a social statement for viewers in the late 60's. Racism is a sign of insecurity as racists need to feel that there is a class of people worse or below themselves so that they can feel good about themselves. It was nice to see how much patience and restraint was shown by Poitier's character amid ignorance and just plain stupidity as he reluctantly goes about solving the murder and makes eventually a positive impression on the racist Sheriff.

One interesting scene was when Steiger's character invites Poitier to his home and starts out on a heart to heart with him showing how natural and possible a friendship based upon equal and mutual respect between races can be but then he catches himself when he realises that he had forgotten to keep him in his "place" and so abruptly ends a promising friendship bonding between equals to return to the "status quo" of discrimination. This poignant scene shows just how unnatural and ridiculous racism is.

The problem with this dvd version though is that the picture quality isn't restored which leaves a number of imperfections in many of the frames and the sound quality is just mono quality; also there are no bonus features at all. This is still a good police detective story and a good social statement on the absurdity of racism making it a worthy Best Picture Oscar winner. Ray Charles is also very good in his rendition of the main theme song. Do however get a better restored version of the dvd which will also hopefully be released in Blu-ray format and give this dvd version a miss. June 10, 2008

Poitier educates a southern sheriff

This was a great movie. It is a bit dated now, in the light of improvements in racial relations in the south, but north and south still have a way to go. Magnificently acted by Poitier and Steiger. But for Poitier's career, I doubt if there would be an African-American running for president of the U. S. today. May 11, 2008

AN ALL-AROUND POWERHOUSE FILM

Still packs a mean punch against racial stereotyping over 40 years later. Sidney Poitier/Rod Steiger in what was amongst both actor's finest hours. 1967's Academy Award winning Best Motion Picture, and Rod Steiger's Best Actor Oscar win. But no nomination for Mr. Poitier. Some have speculated that was due to a probable split in voting with his other 1967 blockbuster "To Sir With Love."

One of my most memorable childhood movie moments was that of Mr. Poitier's character Virgil Tibbs being slapped by a powerful southern white man for "stepping out of line," and he slapping him back just as authoritatively. Maybe nothing now, but 40 years ago that was almost unheard of. Powerful directing from Norman Jewison, and outstanding original music score from Quincy Jones. April 3, 2008

COTTON PICKIN' GOOD

Best picture Oscar for 1967, with Steiger also winning for best actor.Film itself is erratically paced and quite convoluted, especially in the final 7-10 minutes. The major theme,obviously, is Poitier's presence as an intellectually superior black police officer from Philadelphia, Pa. and his gradual acceptance by Steiger.Steiger arrests Poitier twice, before solicitinng his advice on a murder case involving a progressive businessman.Caution: the movie is based on a novel. Steiger finally thinks he has the proper suspect in custody, and wants Poitier to "vamoose", lest the sheriff be labeled a "nigger lover". But Poitier's own independent investigation proves otherwise in a fast paced conclusion that this reviewer has already warned the viewer about. One would like to think that attitudes have moderated over 40 years, but skin pigment and religious disputes continue to plague civilization. For what good cause? March 8, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...