Review of In the Heat of the Night (1967) by Edward B — 31 Jul 2010
The forerunner to the blaxploitation boom that would erupt within 3 years (They Call me Mister Tibbs was just one of these gems, starring Poitier himself reprising the eponymous lead), In the Heat of the Night remains one of the few genuinely compelling pre-Sweetback films to challenge the issue of race head on and upfront.
In Poitier, we have a keenly intelligent, smoulderingly intense black lead who doesn't take shit from anybody, especially the rich white power elite who rule the backwater town of Sparta. Still his best performance from what I've seen, and a vitally important film in the development of African American cinema.
This review of In the Heat of the Night (1967) was written by Edward B on 31 Jul 2010.
In the Heat of the Night has generally received very positive reviews.
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