In the Heat of the Night

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Phil H. @PapercutsAndJumpcuts Feb 18 In the Heat of the Night looks like a tidy Southern murder mystery until Sidney Poitier walks in and the movie realizes what it’s actually about. I can only imagine watching this on the big screen in 1967… engulfed in the smell of smoke & popcorn, plus political & social friction! Rod Steiger’s sheriff isn’t a cartoon. He’s a man of his time - that prejudiced time. And he’s a man whose world is collapsing in real time, so every conversation feels like a negotiation instead of a speech. The famous moments land because nobody gets to stay comfortable… not the town, not the case, not us in the audience. The detective work matters less than watching two men decide whether they can share reality. By the end, respect doesn’t feel uplifting… it feels earned, exhausted, & fragile. Fantastic film, still worthy. See more Emiliano F @DrAlanGrant Oct 27 Both an absolute masterclass in writing subtext, and acting with subtlety. Only an actor with Poitier's confidence can say so much by doing so little. The level of restraint in this film is what makes it so brilliant and tense. See more Jonathan K @aFIREintheattic Sep 28 It's an interesting mystery, at least up until the end, when the final reveal feels a little pedestrian compared to the whole buildup. The movie just sort of ends without much wrap-up, which I think kind of fits the era of filmmaking. Seems like movies were a bit more subtle back then. At first, I thought Rod Steiger, who won Best Actor for this, was over-acting and not very convincing. I think that's partly just the style of acting in the 60s, but as it went on, his skill became clear. There are some very natural moments in his performance and a few points where the editing, which also won an Oscar, stood out. The movie won five Academy Awards total, and in the editing, I noticed shots and visual effects type cuts that seemed very cutting edge for the time. I can see why it was so impressive back then. See more Peter W @RT12077588 Sep 17 Overall, if you’re seeking a murder mystery film with some excellent moments of tension and drama, In the Heat of the Night is highly recommended. It should come as no surprise that actor Sidney Poitier commands the screen wonderfully with his performance, which always feels compelling and genuine. Rod Steiger, like Poitier, is convincing in his role, so much so that it’s easy to have a dislike for his character in the opening scene alone. The mystery component begins instantly, and the pacing of watching it all unfold is also entertaining. However, the film does rush its reveals and conclusions, and some minor details in the ending may seem unclear to some viewers. Nevertheless, it remains an outstanding watch, and now I’m eagerly seeking out the film’s two sequels. See more O g @RT76089177 Aug 30 Open to accusations of extreme patronisation. See more Mitch B @RT97279008 07/10/2025 I love the story, the acting and just how fast paced it was. For such a thought-provoking movie, I thought it e was also kind of fun as well. See more Read all reviews

In the Heat of the Night

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