In the Heat of the Night (1967)

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

In the Heat of the Night (1967) – N. Jewison

Potentially a great deal more audacious in 1967 than now when racism may be less overt than shown here (it has only gone undercover, sadly).  Sidney Poitier plays Virgil Tibbs, a Philadelphia homicide detective who gets stranded in Sparta, MS, after being apprehended as a murder suspect (racism) and then asked to help out (but not really – racism again).  Rod Steiger plays the new Chief who has to overcome his own redneck impulses while trying to stifle the racist tendencies of his force and the local townspeople.  Of course, Poitier solves the crime (despite being misled at one point by his own tendency to suspect rich white racists); however, this isn’t really the focus of the film (i.e., I’m not sure the facts of the case lead easily to the real killer).  Nevertheless, the political points made here are still well worth it (try if you wish to substitute a Muslim cop into the Poitier role and see how it plays out in your head).  Norman Jewison does an OK job directing, although some elements feel a bit schematic and the score by Quincy Jones is dated (sound and use). But you can always rely on Warren Oates!