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      In the Heat of the Night

      Released Aug 2, 1967 1 hr. 49 min. Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller List
      96% 90 Reviews Tomatometer 92% 10,000+ Ratings Audience Score African-American Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) is arrested on suspicion of murder by Bill Gillespie (Rod Steiger), the racist police chief of tiny Sparta, Mississippi. After Tibbs proves not only his own innocence but that of another man, he joins forces with Gillespie to track down the real killer. Their investigation takes them through every social level of the town, with Tibbs making enemies as well as unlikely friends as he hunts for the truth. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered May 01 Buy Now

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      In the Heat of the Night

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      Critics Consensus

      Tense, funny, and thought-provoking all at once, and lifted by strong performances from Sydney Poitier and Rod Steiger, director Norman Jewison's look at murder and racism in small-town America continues to resonate today.

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      Audience Reviews

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      Roger T I first saw this movie in the late sixties and was mightily impressed by it then - I watched it again last night and was amazed at how well it held up more than half a century later. Sidney Poitier and Rid Steiger play their parts extremely well. It's a movie that already and justifiably has a high place in movie history. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/24/24 Full Review Jeff M This was a tough watch for me because of the hatred and vitriol spewed toward Poitier before he even uttered a word to the citizens of Sparta. I've seen countless movies featuring racial bigotry and prejudice, but for some reason this one hit me harder than most. Perhaps it's because of my personal regard for Poitier the actor and human. As for the movie itself, I was not expecting the mystery and thriller aspects which caught me off guard and left me pleasantly surprised. Steiger won an Oscar for his role here, but I found the performance a bit histrionic, although he does have a couple nice quiet moments toward the end. For some reason, I was reminded of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD often during the movie, especially with the introduction of a character named Delores, who reminded me of MOCKINGBIRD's Mayella. The rapport between the two leads is strong if a bit predictable, and I enjoyed seeing Poitier and Beah Richards share the screen together for the second time in 1967 - they also appeared together in GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/11/24 Full Review Blob 9 A gripping detective story grounded by excellent performances from the two leads creates this nuanced dynamic of prejudice, challenging their morals all the way to a cliff edge, and ultimately define their true character. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/24/24 Full Review Audience Member Groundbreaking and wonderful. I only reduce it one star because I really don’t like Steiger’s performance (despite his Oscar). He goes out of his way to make the character grotesque and unappealing. The gum chewing bit just screams as a gimmick of method acting. At only one point does he calm down and show a full human being who we might connect with. I would have loved to see a less show off actor like Robert Mitchum in the part. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/14/23 Full Review ed m Great movie. Still holds up 50 plus years later. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/25/23 Full Review Alec C Very tense in its exploration of the racism while trying to solve a fascinating murder mystery. Characters are fun to watch, especially the Sydney Poitier as Virgil Tibbs. Tensions keep rising with every scene, just like how anger can boil over. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      In the Heat of the Night

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (90) Critics Reviews
      Pauline Kael New Yorker Fast and enjoyable... The cinematography by Haskell Wexler has an exciting, alive quality, and the good Quincy Jones score includes a title song sung by Ray Charles. Jul 29, 2022 Full Review Derek Smith Slant Magazine With its stellar slate of extras, which includes both sequels, and top-notch AV presentation, Kinos 4K release is now the definitive home video edition of In the Heat of the Night. Apr 27, 2022 Full Review Marjory Adams Boston Globe The two stars play their roles to the hilt. You don't feel they are trying to surpass each other. Rather, it seems Steiger and Poitier are acting together like a team, each with his eye on the ball every second and not missing a single chance to score. Feb 3, 2022 Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson Even without the racial overtones that makes the film historic, "In the Heat of the Night" is a top-notch and superior mystery film and crime drama. That strength of story and intrigue only adds to the tangible racial tension of the setting. Rated: 5/5 Sep 4, 2023 Full Review Mark Johnson Awards Daily As usual, Poitier lights up the screen with dignity and grace as he works through racial bigotry opposite Rod Steiger. Jun 14, 2023 Full Review Roger Moore Movie Nation How in the Hell did they not nominate Sidney Poitier for this, the jewel in his acting crown? Even if he had a statuette already on his mantelpiece, the omission is as glaring as the film’s Southern Racism — then and now — messaging. Rated: 4/4 Jan 23, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis African-American Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) is arrested on suspicion of murder by Bill Gillespie (Rod Steiger), the racist police chief of tiny Sparta, Mississippi. After Tibbs proves not only his own innocence but that of another man, he joins forces with Gillespie to track down the real killer. Their investigation takes them through every social level of the town, with Tibbs making enemies as well as unlikely friends as he hunts for the truth.
      Director
      Norman Jewison
      Screenwriter
      Stirling Silliphant
      Distributor
      MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
      Production Co
      Mirisch Company
      Genre
      Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Aug 2, 1967, Wide
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Feb 25, 2010
      Aspect Ratio
      Flat (1.85:1)
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