Rating: 
Summary: Cast, storytelling turns on Heat
Review: "In the Heat of the Night" excels not only because of the story but also because of a composite cast that works so well. The acting is sometimes over the top (as the director admits during the DVD commentary), but such shenanigans fit in this type of film. Multiple viewings help in the understanding of how detective Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) unravels the mystery of who killed the rich Northerner in a Southern town. Though somewhat dated because of the racist subject, it still holds together as a who-done-it and deserved better recognition from the American Film Institute when that group named its 100 best films of the century. Among that Top 100 was another 1967 Poitier film, "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner," which does not hold up well today. And for the record, Poitier was likely overlooked by the Academy Awards here because he starred in three box office bonanzas in '67, the third being "To Sir With Love." Instead, the Oscar went to 'Heat of the Night' co-star Rod Steiger. As for the DVD, there are some visible scratches in the film, and there is only a commentary track with no other extras. A "making of" documentary would have been nice, but the four-person commentary (director Norman Jewison, cinematographer Haskell Wexler and actors Lee Grant and Steiger) serves well. This one is worth owning for the low price attached, although the video transfer and packaging could have been handled with more repect. It deserves it.
Rating: 
Summary: TENSIONS FLAIR IN THE HEAT OF THIS NIGHT!
Review: "In The Heat of the Night" is the racially charged melodrama that made Sidney Poitier a star. Poitier is Det. Virgil Tibbs, an out of state detective assigned to investigate a racially motivated crime in the deep South. Tibbs' initial congenial good nature immediate brand him a push over by both his fellow officers and the populous. But Tibbs is a man of conviction. He immediately runs into interference from Police Chief Bill Gillespie (Rod Steiger), a bigoted and pompous law man who begins to change his ways when it turns out that Virgil's hunch on the case might just turn out to be true. Both the central performances of Poitier and Steiger, and the unlikely bond and ultimate friendship that ensue, are electrifying reasons to revisit this powerful drama of the 1960s. Lee Grant, Beah Richards and Warren Oates costar. In the late 80s "In The Heat of the Night" became a prime time television series starring Caroll O'Connor. But by then much of the tempestuous and confrontational aspects of its subplot had been removed.MGM/UA gives us a non-anamorphic widescreen DVD. Colors are severely dated with a lot of fading present throughout the print. Age related artifacts are everywhere and sometimes distract. Black levels are often weak. Pixelization is primarily responsible for an unstable image. The audio is mono and badly dated as well, strident and poorly balanced. There are no extras.
Rating: 
Summary: 1967...an auspicious year...
Review: "In the Heat of the Night" won the Oscar for Best Picture of 1967. I was a Freshman in college that year, and all the talk was about "Bonnie and Clyde", a great film. "The Graduate" was doing the art-house circuit, and wasn't widely seen at the time. "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" was, at the time, considered ostentatious (a rich Black man marrying the daughter of a rich White couple...how shocking!); the fifth nominee that year was Rex Harrison's "Doctor Dolittle", but I don't want to talk about that. I find that, 25 years later, I pull out "In the Heat of the Night" to get my kicks from brilliant film-making, as well as good suspense and fine acting and direction. This was Norman Jewison's first nomination for Direction, and not his last. Some say he lost it to Mike Nichols for "The Graduate" because Nichols probably should've won for his debut film effort, "Virginia Woolf?".Maybe. Some say Rod Steiger won his acting Oscar because he lost in '65 for "The Pawnbroker". I doubt it. In my humble opinion, this was Steiger's penultimate role, a man who is so sure of himself, yet is taken down a peg by someone better. He will never show his insecurity, though you know it's there. I also believe, after watching this often, that Steiger's Gillespie is NOT racist, merely dealing with a racist environment. It's mentioned that he's the new sheriff, but it never says where he came from. This is good, because Steiger starts from scratch, builds a compelling character, shows a bit of lack-of-control, and it makes him nervous an wonderfully vulnerable. His mind is usually open. Virgil teaches him; hence, whatever happens later can only be for his benefit. Great characters. Poitier was in 3 good films in 1967: this one, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", "To Sir, With Love". I'm sure that, when nomination time came, his votes were divided. For this reason alone, I think he would've won. The performances of Lee Grant, Quentin Dean and Scott Wilson (he was in "In Cold Blood" that year) were stellar. The great old gospel singer, Jester Hairston, also had a small role; he dubbed the singing for Poitier's Oscar winning role in "Lilies of the Field" ("Amen!"). Interesting stuff! Sterling Silliphant's screenplay won the Oscar hands-down, a riveting narrative of a complicated book. The greatest thing about Steiger's performance is that you know nothing about him or his background when the film begins, or even when it's over. What you know is that he's stuck in a place he doesn't like and no one likes him; there are suggested gay overtones, especially when he's in his home and he and Virgil talk about loneliness. It's quite profound when he doesn't get the answer he wants. There's also the great Beah Richards, in a small cameo, as Mama Kaleba; a sweet but nonetheless reprehensible character; she was nominated that year for "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", as Poitier's wonderfully heart-broken mother, a fine performance. Yes, 1967 was a great year. "The Graduate" broke a few barriers; "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" broke some, and, certainly, "Bonnie & Clyde" made bad guys look good. Don't forget Richard Brooks' "In Cold Blood"...A great year, but I still think "In the Heat of the Night" is the film I prefer to watch.
Rating:
Summary: Cast, storytelling turns on Heat
Review: "In the Heat of the Night" excels not only because of the story but also because of a composite cast that works so well. The acting is sometimes over the top (as the director admits during the DVD commentary), but such shenanigans fit in this type of film. Multiple viewings help in the understanding of how detective Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) unravels the mystery of who killed the rich Northerner in a Southern town. Though somewhat dated because of the racist subject, it still holds together as a who-done-it and deserved better recognition from the American Film Institute when that group named its 100 best films of the century. Among that Top 100 was another 1967 Poitier film, "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner," which does not hold up well today. And for the record, Poitier was likely overlooked by the Academy Awards here because he starred in three box office bonanzas in '67, the third being "To Sir With Love." Instead, the Oscar went to 'Heat of the Night' co-star Rod Steiger. As for the DVD, there are some visible scratches in the film, and there is only a commentary track with no other extras. A "making of" documentary would have been nice, but the four-person commentary (director Norman Jewison, cinematographer Haskell Wexler and actors Lee Grant and Steiger) serves well. This one is worth owning for the low price attached, although the video transfer and packaging could have been handled with more repect. It deserves it.
Rating:
Summary: A mystery, a drama, and a social commentary in one.
Review: "In the Heat of the Night" is an excellent mystery story. It is also a wonderful drama about two very different men. It is also a fascinating character study of those two men. And it is also a commentary about racist views in the south. All of this rolled into one film makes "In the Heat of the Night" a true classic. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this film. The acting by Sidney Poiteir, Rod Steiger, and Warren Oates is superb. The ending is very satisfying, especially the final scene when Chief Gillespie finally sees Virgil Tibbs as a man instead of as a black man. Four and a half stars....
Rating:
Summary: There is no better insight into the 60's
Review: This is my all-time favorite movie. I've seen it dozens and dozens of times, and it never ceases to amaze me. There is not one throw-away scene nor one misstep by an actor. And Quincy Jones' score foreshadowed the brilliance that was to come from him later on. If you want a true insight into the South of the 60's, this is the video for you. Steiger and Poitier chew up the scenery, each in his own formitable way. While the film isn't comedy, it's certainly entertaining and always leaves me wanting more. The follow-up films are a disappointment to me. "Heat" is Poitier at his zenith.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Murder Mystery Ever!
Review: A black Philadelphia detective becomes involved in a murder case in a small, bigoted southern town, much to the chagrin of the local, redneck police chief. An excellent production, adapted by Stirling Silliphant from John Ball's novel. Academy Award Nominations: 7, including Best Director. Academy Awards: 5, including Best Picture, Best Actor--Rod Steiger, Best (Adapted) Screenplay. Watch this movie whenever you can. It's really good and shouldn't be missed. There are sequels to this film. The third one I cannot remember, but the second one is called THEY CALL ME MR. TIBBS. I haven't seen them yet, but I am expecting that they are just nearly as good as IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT. This film is also good at teaching young people that racism is wrong and that racists are usually people that own farms, and that their family tree is basically a straight line. Don't miss this film. It's one of the best murder mysteries out there. I hope my review was helpful to you!
Rating:
Summary: Sparta Miss!!
Review: A Fine film. Script, acting, cinematography are all in place for terrific results. Lets not beat the whole film to death , rather give mention to a fine supporting cast: Warren Oates, Larry Gates, Scott Wilson, Lee Grant, William Schallert et al... Steiger should have won the Oscar for " The Pawnbroker"
Rating:
Summary: A great movie you can watch again and again
Review: All the classic elements, and some touchy subjects, (black and white relations in a small southern town) but acting from Rod Steiger and Sidney Poitier make anything else irrelevent. Get your popcorn and drink, sit back, unhook the phone, and savor this tremendous film. And not to worry, you'll feel real good when it's over.
Rating:
Summary: Great film, not-so-great DVD commentary
Review: Another superb movie where the DVD documentary is definitely sub-par - to the point where I can't in good conscience give it 5 stars. The picture and sound quality of the DVD are first rate. And, as director Norman Jewison (happily) points out, the film was perhaps somewhat controversial and risky for it's time. But Jewison's comments are typical of the liberal Hollywood elitist mindset. It is clear that instead of commenting on the movie's finer points, technical intricacies, trivia etc., he prefers to spend most of his speaking time from the soapbox to demonstrate to all how "advanced" his political beliefs were at the time. (i.e. Bobby Kennedy told him how "important" the film could be, many cast members were blacklisted for their support of civil rights causes, blah, blah.) Jewison is so busy with his pontifications that he fails to give insight on key points in the film when they pass by. And his pronunciation of the word 'again' ("a-GAIN"), which he repeatedly uses, is just plain annoying. Cinematographer Haskell Wexler's comments are much more useful (lots of technical camera explanations) but he occasionally likes to use the descriptor "f---ing" for no apparent reason other than to get your attention - make sure the kiddies are out of the room. Steiger's comments are interesting but very limited. Lee Grant's contribution is also quite small and, in my opinion, rather dull. An excellent movie no matter how many times you've seen it. Besides the obvious stellar performances and chemistry of Steiger and Poitier, Warren Oates is a sleeper as Officer Woods. But if you've already got a great VHS copy and don't need the widescreen version, you may want to rethink the DVD purchase. Film, 5 stars. Commentary, 3 stars.
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