Review of In the Heat of the Night (1967) by Christina C — 08 Sep 2007
Two unforgettable performances anchor this film - Rod Steiger as the smalltown Southern sheriff grudgingly coming to respect Sidney Poitier's Northern homicide cop ... who just happens to be black and just happens to be a better cop who might solve the murder case they've both been landed with. Poitier owns the screen with blistering dignity: "They call me MISTER Tibbs!".
Although the characterisation of the locals sometimes tends towards Cletus-the-slack-jawed-yokel caricature, there is no doubt that this film challenged much ingrained racial prejudice upon its release, and what's even more shocking, it REMAINS powerful. A lot of that ingrained prejudice is still around, in one form or another.
The plot itself unfolds calmly, naturally - perhaps not the most exciting murder investigation film ever, but an intelligent and atmospheric one nonetheless, with the relationship between the two men developing through it (the drinking scene where they talk just a little about their lives is particularly interesting).
This review of In the Heat of the Night (1967) was written by Christina C on 08 Sep 2007.
In the Heat of the Night has generally received very positive reviews.
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