Rating: 
Summary: The characters are the story, as in real life in the South
Review: This movie is marvelously entertaining. It delivers on all levels-- plot, action, performances of the actors and most importantly, the complexity of a region that has fascinated America for years--- the deep south. Like the land that it depicts, the story lies within the characters of this movie. The story is stereotypical to some, but for those who have spent time in the south, these characters remind everyone of the truth of life in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, etc. There are more characters per square mile in the backlands of the South than anywhere else that I have experienced. This movie captures these characters with an expertise matched by very few films. I would have to say that this is one of my all time favorites, and for repeated watchability, it is way up there. It is a great movie to own, since it will get watched instead of just collecting dust.
Rating: 
Summary: Zeitgeist masterpiece
Review: This movie was cutting-edge in its day, particularly in its exposee of human weaknesses. Sidney Poitier walks softly, wielding expressive power. Rod Steiger deftly interprets the role of a good, yet culturally mis-guided small town Police Chief. Truly powerful performances from the entire team, especially Norman Jewison's direction of the stars to the person who screws in the set's lightbulbs.
Rating:
Summary: SIDNEY POITIER & ROD STEIGER AT THEIR BEST
Review: This movie was filmed a lot at night - 1st you have one suspect, then twists & it's a different, goes on & on. Will not give anymore away.......you must see. We have on VHS & DVD....The
DVD looks like it was made today. Excellent movie! We highly
recommend.
Rating:
Summary: Classic and Classy Film...Stirring Performances
Review: This review refers to the MGM DVD Contemporary Classics edition of "In the Heat of the Night"...."In the Heat of the Night" is a classic and esstential film, that should be a part of every film library. The gripping performances by the likes of such class actors as Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates and Lee Grant, the expert direction by Norman Jewison, the camera angles and the music(Quincy Jones) will hold you hostage every second of this compelling story. It is the mid 1960's and a murder has occured in the small town of Sparta, Mississippi.Virgil Tibbs, a black homicide investigator(Poitier),from the North, who happens to be passing through town, gets caught up in the town's rush to judgement in finding the killer. First he is automatically assumed to be the first and only suspect by the bigoted towns people, then is coerced into staying and helping out on the case when Chief of Police Gillespie(Steiger), realizes who he is. Each with their own form of prejudices, Tibbs and Gillespie have very differnt ideas about solving the case. They find it is important to put those feelings aside and work together though. Together they fight off the town bigots, and put the pieces of the puzzle together, meeeting adversity every step of the way. The twists and turns of the story will draw you in and keep you. It is an excellent mystery as well as character studies, and most definatley deserved all the accolades and awards it was honored with. Among the awards it took home at Oscar time were Best Picture(1967), Best Actor(Rod Steiger) and Best Screenplay among others. I was prepared to go 5 stars on this film, and the film on it's own deserves that at least. The picture has been beautifully transfered to DVD.It is presented in the original theatrical released widescreen (1.85:1). The colors looked fresh and the picture was clear in all scenes, including the darker night time scenes. The sound is my only little complaint and reason for going with 4 stars. Although the tech info here(as of today) say this DVD is in Dolby 2.0 surround, it is not. The sound is in MONO and this esstential film, that is an American classic, scored by Quincy Jones really deserves better treatment on this aspect of it. The DVD has commentary by Norman Jewison, Lee Grant,Rod Steiger and Haskell Wexler(the fabulous cinematographer of the film). It also includes a booklet with some great information on the making of the film. It may be viewed in French and Spanish and has subtitiles in those languages as well. I love this film and for the most part the DVD. Maybe MGM has a special edition in the works with a remastered soundtrack?..In the meantime I will still enjoy this one with any kind of sound! get the popcorn ready and enjoy....Laurie
Rating: 
Summary: in the heat of the night
Review: Unfortunately--I Am unable to view this product because of some mal-function of the TAPE.Each time I'VE INSERTED IT INTO my 2 different vcr's plus my neighbors and finally a relative's --IT SELF-EJECTS!please advise.In an attempt to locate the seller:scottsaucs@sbcglobal.net I'VE RECEIVED PERSON UNKNOWN RESPONSE.We really want this vhs tape but are reluctant to pay for it again via Amazon.com.please advise and how may I return this one? Sincerest Thanks,don greathouse p.s very satisfied w/all other transactions
Rating:
Summary: "What kind of a place is this"?
Review: Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) sits alone at a train station in Sparta, Mississippi. He came to visit his mother and is going back on the 4:05 to Memphis. Suddenly, he is disturbed by the deputy sherriff (Warren Oates). "On your feet boy". Oates, after having found a dead man lying on a side street, is looking for a prime suspect and is sure he's found him. Sam (Oates) hauls Virgil into the police station and is questioned by sheriff Gillespie (Rod Steiger). Gillespie's preconceived notions of Virgil's guilt are dispelled when during the interrogation he discovers that Virgil is a top homicide investigator from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (not Mississippi). "Look, they pay you 162 dollars and 39 cents a week to look at dead bodies, why can't you look at this one"? This is the sheriff's attempt to persuade Virgil to inspect the deceased. Once Gillespie refers to Virgil as an "expert", he relents and decides to inspect the body. Virgil really doesn't want to be involved in this but seems compelled after Gillespie calls Philadelphia to talk to Virgil's superior officer, who encourages Virgil to help with the investigation. Virgil not only runs into many human roadblocks along the way but even finds his life in peril. They keep trying to pin this homicide on the wrong person in an effort to close the case but Virgil knows they are barking up the wrong tree. His efforts to protect the innocent are going to fail if he doesn't live long enough to find the real killer.
Rating:
Summary: "What kind of a place is this"?
Review: Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) sits alone at a train station in Sparta, Mississippi. He came to visit his mother and is going back on the 4:05 to Memphis. Suddenly, he is disturbed by the deputy sherriff (Warren Oates). "On your feet boy". Oates, after having found a dead man lying on a side street, is looking for a prime suspect and is sure he's found him. Sam (Oates) hauls Virgil into the police station and is questioned by sheriff Gillespie (Rod Steiger). Gillespie's preconceived notions of Virgil's guilt are dispelled when during the interrogation he discovers that Virgil is a top homicide investigator from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (not Mississippi). "Look, they pay you 162 dollars and 39 cents a week to look at dead bodies, why can't you look at this one"? This is the sheriff's attempt to persuade Virgil to inspect the deceased. Once Gillespie refers to Virgil as an "expert", he relents and decides to inspect the body. Virgil really doesn't want to be involved in this but seems compelled after Gillespie calls Philadelphia to talk to Virgil's superior officer, who encourages Virgil to help with the investigation. Virgil not only runs into many human roadblocks along the way but even finds his life in peril. They keep trying to pin this homicide on the wrong person in an effort to close the case but Virgil knows they are barking up the wrong tree. His efforts to protect the innocent are going to fail if he doesn't live long enough to find the real killer.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent! Great for the times!
Review: What makes "In The Heat Of The Night" such a masterpiece isn't just that it's a great murder mystery, which it is, but it's social commentary during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Sidney Poitier gives an outstanding performance as Virgil Tibbs, a Philadelphia based homicide detective originally accused of the murder of the Northern businessman he is asked to help investigate. Rod Steiger is equally excellent as Bill Gillespie, Sparta Mississippi's bigoted but dedicated police chief. Tibbs initially agrees to help with the investigation not out of a sense of civic duty but to show up the local bigots. Both realize that in order to get the job done, they have to confront their prejudices and to do what's right. Tibbs' admission that his suspicions of a local white supremacist were based on personal reasons is almost as significant as Gillespie's earlier reluctant recognition of Tibbs as an expert. Other notable performers are Lee Grant as the wife of the murdered businessman who insists that Tibbs stay on the case and Warren Oates as the deputy who initially arrests Tibbs.
"In The Heat Of The Night" was also groundbreaking, considering the time in that it was released, in that it put the cooning, shucking and jiving black male stereotype on it's ear. Sidney Poitier's portrayal of a well dressed, educated and intelligent black man who demanded respect was a welcome change who's time had come. Even those who have never seen the movie can recite Poitier's "They call me Mister Tibbs!" line and when Endicott slapped Tibbs and Tibbs slapped him back, every black person in the theatres at the time must have roared with approval! The film is very careful, however, not to stereotype Gillespie as a mere bumbling unrepentant bigot but as a flawed person whose desire to do his job well overrides his desires to keep anyone in their place. Norman Jewison was really bold and ahead of his time with this one!
Rating:
Summary: Stieger and Poitier Heat Up the Screen
Review: While a picture of the south in its time, this moive doesn't dwell on the racial issues that might today become an entire segment "20-20." However, Stieger's character enhances Poitier's equally powerful performance and the two play off each other. Some great lines, including the one that a lot of kids today think that "Pumba" of "Lion King" said first.
Rating:
Summary: Poitier Deserved an Oscar
Review: Yes, Rod Steiger won for his blistering portrayal of Chief Gillespie, but the award for Best Actor should have been shared with Sidney Poitier. Both men are superb as they "play off" each other in this intriguing social commentary. Also, Warren Oates is memorable as a dim-witted deputy. He was one character actor who excelled in every role given him. The "Heat" is a scorcher!
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