X
- 1967
- Approved
- United Artists
- 1 h 50 m
- 1967
- Approved
- United Artists
- 1 h 50 m
Summary An African American police detective is asked to investigate a murder in a racially hostile southern town.
Directed By: Norman Jewison
Written By: Stirling Silliphant, John Ball
- 1967
- Approved
- United Artists
- 1 h 50 m
- 1967
- Approved
- United Artists
- 1 h 50 m
In the Heat of the Night
76
7.9
Where to Watch
Summary An African American police detective is asked to investigate a murder in a racially hostile southern town.
Directed By: Norman Jewison
Written By: Stirling Silliphant, John Ball
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
76
87% Positive
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
13% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
76
87% Positive
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
13% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Yes, it’s a thriller with a murder mystery at the heart of it. But “whodunnit” is immaterial to the film’s thrills, and the one thing I seem to forget every time I watch it anew.
No deep solutions are suggested in this subtle and meticulously observed study. Yet Director Norman Jewison has used his camera to extract a certain rough-cut beauty from each protagonist. He has shown, furthermore, that men can join hands out of fear and hatred and shape from base emotions something identifiable as a kind of love. In this he is immeasurably helped by performances from Steiger and Poitier that break brilliantly with black-white stereotype.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 44 User Ratings
7.9
86% Positive
38 Ratings
38 Ratings
14% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 44 User Ratings
7.9
86% Positive
38 Ratings
38 Ratings
14% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
Many state "Star Wars"as the first revolutionary modern film to transform early 20th century filmmaking into what it is today, but one should take a good hard look into this stunning crime-drama that predates the famous sci-fi flick by 10 years. Norman Jewison's marvelous direction and camera work show a beautiful, ugly urban landscape in the American South where an unpredictable mystery plot is taking place; spearheaded by a one-two knockout punch from both Sydney Poitier and Rod Steiger. Poitier in particular, has a way of using body language more so than words. The result is a performance that transcends off the camera, off the screen, and onto your living room floor (or wherever you're watching the film). He is that good. Steiger works as a great contrast to the sophisticated Poitier by making us believe he's a rough caloot who is initially prejudice, but can learn to appreciate others when given the chance/exposure.
Report
Sidney Poitier is one of top 10 performances, in the shoes of a detective who shall to solve an intolerance crime, far from home, in an environment full of prejudices. The score of Quince Jones, and the main song of Ray Charles are full delight.
Report
Fast and enjoyable, with Poitier's color used for comedy.
This is a brisk, well-oiled thriller with blistering performances and a crackling, memorable script.
A gripping and suspenseful murder mystery that effects a feeling of greater importance by its veneer of social significance and the illusion of depth in its use of racial color.
Though the film portrays the racism of the South as institutional and inescapable, it’s a little too eager to offer glimmers of hope with increasing frequency as the film nears its end and Tibbs and Gillespie come to understand each other better.
The film is essentially a primitive rah-rah story about an underdog's triumph over a bully, and in the times that Americans are living through now the things in it that are merely simple seem simplified to the point of odiousness...In the Heat of the Night seems to be made up of a great deal of attitudinizing and very little instinct. [5 Aug 1967, p.64]
It delivers its message while telling a more than a competent story that deals with racial issues that are still somewhat relevant, considering that the film is 55 years old. It is an angry film that speaks volumes.
Report
a **** and revealing showdown iterated in a night..
In The Heat Of Night
4 And A Half Out Of 5
In The Heat Of Night is a rare cinematic art that redefines the genre on its own terms and grasps for something that seemed beyond impossible to achieve and that is its maturity on conveying a message. The scrutiny in here is thought out with each individual character's perspective that makes not only its characters three dimensional but also a more mature and stronger plot that isn't here to merely deliver a nail-biting thriller drama but an all direction view of the black and white aspects of the truth. It may be short on technical aspects like background score, production and art design, but is utterly adequate on editing and cinematography. The adaptive screenplay by Sterling Silliphant is witty, strong, gripping and aware of the characteristics of the characters well enough to keep the audience engaged throughout the course of it and offer them thought-provoking homework, too along with that. Norman Jewison; the director, is in his A game as his pitch on the emotions and the stakes creates the anticipated impact and draws out the best outcomes from the screen. Sidney Poitier is convincing as a protagonist but the real game changer in here is Rod Steiger in his parallel role steals the show with his stellar performance. In The Heat Of Night is a **** and revealing showdown iterated in a night whose discectomy is just pleasingly ingenious to encounter
Report
Sidney Poitier is cool. This is a well put together mystery as well. It gets a little messy weaving in some the side plots but has a satisfying resolution.
It is shocking when you realize that Steiger and not Poitier was nominated and also won for best actor, not to take away from his performance as he was excellent as well, it's just more of a supporting role to me.
Report
While the movie makes a good point, it does continuously beat you over the head with it. So much so that it interferes with the same plot. Still, I have to give it credit for style and the performances of the lead actors. If you like plot-driven movies, this is really not for you.
Report
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 5 Wins & 7 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 3 Wins & 7 Nominations
BAFTA Awards
• 2 Wins & 4 Nominations
