In the Heat of the Night
1967  NR  DRAMA  1h 49min
CAST— Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, Lee Grant, Scott Wilson, Larry Gates, Quentin Dean, James Patterson, Anthony James, William Schallert
MUSIC— Quincy Jones  DIRECTOR— Norman Jewison  BASED ON—  In the Heat of the Night (novel), by John Ball

     Immensely engaging film offering the viewer a double whammy: on one level a murder mystery, on another a film dealing with the sensitive subject of racial prejudice. Set in the fictional town of Sparta, Mississippi, a high profile murder is committed and the local good ‘ol boy police department is clearly stupefied. Meanwhile, a Pennsylvanian detective is passing through town. The local yokels recruit him to help out in solving the case. Oh, one more thing. He just so happens to be black. This causes quite a stir throughout the town. But he proves himself by following the clues despite adversity, gaining respect from those on the force. Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger give awesome performances in a classic that still has an impact forty plus years after its release. Definitely a keeper. And remember: They call him “Mr. Tibbs”. Oscar-winner for Best Picture, Best Actor (Rod Steiger), Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Sound. Later developed into a television series. Deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry.
OUR RATING— ****
FOLLOWED BY— They Call Me Mister Tibbs! (1970), The Organization (1971)