Review of In the Heat of the Night (1967) by Stephen C — 17 Jan 2011

"They call me Mr Tibbs".

Norman Jewison was treading on tricky ground when he made this race film in 1967 ,America was still coming to grips with its past race issues.

The film was groundbreaking and though a lot of water has moved under the bridge since the film is still a quality piece of work.

The main reason of course ,why the film works so well is the fact the teaming of Poitier as Street smart city cop and Steiger as smalltown sheriff creates a spark athe films core.

Poitier is determined to bring down the man he suspects of the killing of a local businessman even if it means he turns just as Racist as the person he is pursuing.

Thats what makes Poitiers role so interesting ,it could have been a smart blackcop outdoes the Southern yokels ,but Poitier gives the part much more light and shade than any other actor would have bought to the part ,you simply cant take your eyes off him.

Steiger too is brilliant all Southern bluster and Gum chewing but at the same time proving himself to be a pretty smart cookie in places where Mr Tibbs is blinded by a personal rage.

The film stands or Falls on the power of the 2 leads ,but here everything works ,From Haskells Wexlers Camera work to Quincy Jones dynamic score.

The film may have lost some of its punch ,but its stil cracking stuff in the drama department.