In the Heat of the Night is an important movie in movie history. It was made in 1967 and was one of the first movies in which the main part was played by a black actor who had the role of a character that was smarter than the other white characters.
Sidney Poitier (as Virgil Tibbs), who had won an Oscar 3 years earlier for his role in Lillies in the field, plays a police officer who, because he happens to have change trains in a small town in the south of America, ends up at the wrong place at the wrong time. Reason for this is that a murder has been committed that evening and he is arrested as suspect.
The local police isn’t very experienced when it comes to murder, but because of stereotyping others based on their color they do not want to listen to Tibbs. When the police finds out that Tibbs is one of New York’s best detectives, they have to admit that he could not have committed the crime. With his experience they reluctantly ask him to help them with their investigation.
The movie clearly shows the differences between black and white and the tension that Tibbs feels because of it, as it interferes with his investigation. Both the sheriff (Rod Steiger, whose acting earned him an Oscar) and Tibss are threatened.
Despite of the story being very controversial for its time, the movie studio, United Artists, decided to release the movie. They were aware of the risk they were taking as it might mean that cinemas in the south of America would boycott the film. The movie earned 5 Oscars.
When you are viewing it you really feel the threat and difficulties the police run in to while trying to solve the case. It’s an important movie that is worth a look.
Score: 7