Review of In the Heat of the Night (1967) by Sam P — 11 Apr 2012

âIn The Heat Of The Nightâ? is a famous movie for the importance it had in the development of black actors becoming more popular and mainstream. It allowed a black actor to be in a strong position against a white cast. However, it also showed that you can have a strong script and performance regardless of the color, which is what should be most important.

âIn The Heat Of The Nightâ? is luckier then most buddy cop movies as the plot is built up slowly, so that it seems reasonable events happen why they do. In the film, set in the Deep South, a police officer finds the body of a rich businessman. The Police Chief, played by Rod Steiger, suggests they check the train station, where a well dressed & well paid black man, played by Sidney Poitier, is found and arrested. The reason is just pure racism, and the police department have to back down when it is revealed the man is Virgil Tibbs, a Detective from Pennsylvania.

Having little to no experience with murders, the police department is offered Virgilâ(TM)s talents by Virgilâ(TM)s Chief. What follows is an intelligent black Detective battling racial prejudice in a hot and cranky Southern town who arenâ(TM)t accepting of him. Whilst the murder investigation is interesting, the most fascinating element is that relationship built between Virgil and the previously racist Police Chief. The slow build of respect between the two is more believable as they battle social norms and hatred.

Sidney Poitier is held up as a flag bearer for strong black actors. What you notice is that he seems to always play strong willed, moral black men, because, in his words, âI wanted to give a good representation of my raceâ?. Whilst this sometimes means Poitier isnâ(TM)t able to show that much range in this film, apart from indignation, anger, determination and annoyed, he also has good charisma, making him fascinating to watch and follow.

However, I have to admit, Steiger steals this film, his character development and story arc offering greater range than Poitier. However, where they work best is when they bounce off each other, with several scenes between these two strong willed men over the murder investigation just work brilliantly. One of my favorite scenes is when the two get drunk together, slowly opening up to each other, before closing down again. Great scene, ad-libbed as well.

The best thing about this film is that is great to see a strong black actor given a chance, from long ago, and the cultural significance of this film just adds to the authenticity. I definitely recommend this film, for historic purposes alone, let alone for the fact it is an actual good film.