In the Heat of the Night (1967)

Timeless Classic

One of the best movies ever made. It's just as great today as it was 40 years ago. Steiger ad Poitier are brilliant. The many scenes with just the two of them are terrific. Hasn't lost a step. If you haven't seen it, go rent or buy it now. July 10, 2008

"I'M A POLICE OFFICER!" ~ Distrust, Prejudice, Hatred And Murder On A Hot Summers Night

If you were to make a list of what you consider to be the greatest pairings of Hollywood legends in a film what individuals would you include? Maybe some of your favorites are O'Toole and Sharif from `Lawrence of Arabia', or possibly Abrahams and Hulce from `Amadeus'?

There are certainly many outstanding dual performances to choose from and unquestionably one of the best can be found in the '67 film `In the Heat of the Night'. If you've seen this movie you know exactly who I'm talking about, Sidney Poitier as New York police officer and forensic specialist Virgil Tibbs and his antagonist Rod Steiger as Bill Gillespie, good ole boy and local sheriff in Sparta, Mississippi.

`In the Heat of the Night' is a superior murder mystery in its own right, but it's the visual posturing and verbal banter between Tibbs and Gillespie that elevates this film to the level of classic. Watching their relationship slowly evolve from hated adversaries to a place of mutual respect and admiration is a cinematic event capturing two of the best performances you'll ever see.

This one most definitely belongs in your personal DVD collection. June 10, 2008

A must watch movie!

When Movies were Movies! Just as good now as then. We should all be slow to judge! May 7, 2008

IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

One of Sidney Poitier's best movies and what a great pairing with Rod Stieger. Movie takes place in a small town in the south, a murder takes place and Sidney plays a police officer from Chicago named Tibbs and he gets arrested while waiting for a train and also because he is black. The story takes off from there. You won't be sorry if you purchase this movie. April 28, 2008

I may be biased but.....

I live in Sparta Illinois where the movie was filmed in the fall of 1966. It took several viewings back in 1967 before I could get past the "I know whose house that is," and " Why did Stieger drive all the way around the block to get to the Mayor's place?"
Anyway, I wanted to add that the sound quality on this release is excellent. You can hear the rocks popping off of the police car's tires as Warren Oates slowly drives away from the diner. I also found the extras to be most interesting. The one on Quincy Jones and the soundtrack was very informative.
To fans of the film and its companions in the 1967 Oscar race I would also recomend "Pictures at A Revolution: Five movies and the Birth of the new Hollywood" by Mark Harris. March 26, 2008

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