Amazon.com essential video: This 1967 film took home lots of Oscars for its fascinating drama about a Philadelphia detective (Sidney Poitier) who assists a redneck Southern sheriff (Rod Steiger) in solving a murder. A study in racism that ebbs a bit through the collective and shared need between a black man and a white man who don't want to be working together, the film continues to strike a chord today. Steiger is a mass of snarling danger, Poitier a bundle of nerves covered in class. Norman Jewison (Moonstruck) directs with a keen feeling for the cultural and social atmosphere of the setting. --Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - In the heat of the night
I was very satisfied with my purchase. It arrived earlier than expected and it was in Excellent condition.
Rating: - An actor's film
3.5 stars. I've heard so much about this film over the years and of course I'm from the generation who's more familiar with the television show. For the year that this film was made-yes, the writer and director took a lot of risks. Poitier and Steiger gave career making performances...but I have to tell you, I was more than under impressed with the mystery portion of the movie and I had to re-play the ending twice to understand the killer's confession. When I analyze that-it seems to me Mr. Tibbs did little more than guess. I mean how would he know the girl would try to get rid of her baby? ... Read More
Rating: - Bad disc
In the Heat of the Night is a bad disc.
I can't display it. I think the regiocode is not good.
Please send a new one. This is the first time I can't display a purchase by you.
I am waiting for the confirmation you sent me a new one.
Regards.
Jos Sluis
Rating: - The Birth of the Seventies Police Detective Flick!
This film clearly inspired the kind of distinctive 70's era police detective films to come such as "Shaft" and "Dirty Harry" and even the great score by Quincy Jones evokes memories of the similar sounding ones connected with those two films. As a detective mystery, this film does a very good job in addition to being a social statement for viewers in the late 60's. Racism is a sign of insecurity as racists need to feel that there is a class of people worse or below themselves so that they can feel good about themselves. It was nice to see how much patience and restraint was shown by Poitier's ... Read More
Rating: - Poitier educates a southern sheriff
This was a great movie. It is a bit dated now, in the light of improvements in racial relations in the south, but north and south still have a way to go. Magnificently acted by Poitier and Steiger. But for Poitier's career, I doubt if there would be an African-American running for president of the U. S. today.
- 
- 
- 