IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT is a mysterious crime drama film that, through a detective story, brings a critical view of a racial hatred and prejudices. The story is presented as a sort of dilemma between an unresolved murder and an illness of a society. Every interrelationship is described as a kind of incident in this film. It is based on John Ball's 1965 novel of the same name.
Mr. Colbert, a wealthy industrialist from Chicago, is constructing a factory in Sparta, Mississippi. One night in September 1966, when driving back into town after a meeting at the plantation home of one of Sparta's leading citizens, Mr. Endicott, he is murdered. Police Officer Wood has found his lifeless body on the street. Police Chief Mr. Gillespie arrives on the scene where the body has been discovered and takes direct charge of the investigation. He speculated that the crime was committed by a random passer-by. At the town train depot, Wood finds a black man, Virgil Tibbs, sitting quietly with his luggage in a business suit. Officer Wood immediately arrests him, cursorily searches him, and finds more than $200 in cash in his wallet. However, Mr. Tibbs is not an ordinary passer-by...
Credible characters, melodramatic plot and honest look at one of the biggest social problems are the main aces of this movie. Well, Mr. Jewison did not take into account the coincidences, so some sequences are pretty confusing, but its do not make a great deal of damage to this movie. A clash between an arrogant and incompetent white police chief and a capable and detailed black detective is the most interesting segment of this movie.
The characterization is very good and it corresponds to the tense atmosphere and the hostile environment.
Sidney Poitier (Detective Virgil Tibbs) and Rod Steiger (Police Chief Bill Gillespie) are two characters with the same problems but with a very different approach. In fact, it does not matter who is the better cop of these two, but who is the better man. Both actors have offered very good performances. A chemistry and tension between them is very impressive.
The other actors were not bad, but some of them are quite unconvincing and irritating.
Every problem, any suspicion and prejudice can be overcome by communion.
Mr. Colbert, a wealthy industrialist from Chicago, is constructing a factory in Sparta, Mississippi. One night in September 1966, when driving back into town after a meeting at the plantation home of one of Sparta's leading citizens, Mr. Endicott, he is murdered. Police Officer Wood has found his lifeless body on the street. Police Chief Mr. Gillespie arrives on the scene where the body has been discovered and takes direct charge of the investigation. He speculated that the crime was committed by a random passer-by. At the town train depot, Wood finds a black man, Virgil Tibbs, sitting quietly with his luggage in a business suit. Officer Wood immediately arrests him, cursorily searches him, and finds more than $200 in cash in his wallet. However, Mr. Tibbs is not an ordinary passer-by...
Credible characters, melodramatic plot and honest look at one of the biggest social problems are the main aces of this movie. Well, Mr. Jewison did not take into account the coincidences, so some sequences are pretty confusing, but its do not make a great deal of damage to this movie. A clash between an arrogant and incompetent white police chief and a capable and detailed black detective is the most interesting segment of this movie.
The characterization is very good and it corresponds to the tense atmosphere and the hostile environment.
Sidney Poitier (Detective Virgil Tibbs) and Rod Steiger (Police Chief Bill Gillespie) are two characters with the same problems but with a very different approach. In fact, it does not matter who is the better cop of these two, but who is the better man. Both actors have offered very good performances. A chemistry and tension between them is very impressive.
The other actors were not bad, but some of them are quite unconvincing and irritating.
Every problem, any suspicion and prejudice can be overcome by communion.