Review of In the Heat of the Night (1967) by Robb J — 29 Nov 2009

I think it's a pretty simple crime movie, a mystery story straight from Murder She Wrote, with a basic racism issue running throughout. The thing that makes it special is the way Tibbs & Gillespie interact - just when you think one or the other is a stereotype they break out into three-dimensional characters & to be honest this writing is what makes it possible to enjoy the film - I'm glad Steiger got the Academy Award for actor.

One scene that stood out for me was when Poitier slapped the owner of the plantation, I can just imagine the shock factor this must have had at the time! Oh, and I can't believe Ray Charles never even got an Oscar nom.

for the song playing during the titles, it was absolutely fantastic.