On its surface, “In the Heat of the Night” is a simple crime story. It is based on John Ball’s 1965 novel of the same name. It stars the legendary Sidney Poitier as Virgil Tibbs; a detective from Philadelphia who gets involved with a murder case in a small town in Mississippi. The month is September, the year is 1966.
The heat of the Deep South has a dual meaning. There’s the sweltering sun, baking down on a forgotten rural landscape. There’s also the blatant racism and disrespect for Detective Tibbs presented at every turn.
“They call me Mister Tibbs!”
Sidney Poitier gives a lesson in great acting. Virgil Tibbs is a tough and emotionless man. Poitier’s face offers the expression of a character who has been through a lot. And Poitier himself has doubtless been the recipient of discrimination, despite his star power. The bigotry is present immediately. Tibbs is falsely arrested and constantly referred to as ‘boy’ before revealing he is himself a police officer. “They call me Mister Tibbs!” He scolds in a line that has become iconic.
Opposite Poitier is Rod Steiger as Bill Gillespie, sheriff of the town of Sparta. Steiger’s character has an emotional arc that begins with his distrust Tibbs for obvious reasons. Steiger audibly chews gum and it adds flavor to the character, who must accept and work with Tibbs to solve the murder of a progressive businessman.
Academy Award nominated director Norman Jewison uses a variety of techniques to further invest the viewer. Close-ups of characters make the case, and treatment of Tibbs, personal. There are also captivating visuals of the town that give us a glimpse of the struggles the residents face. There are cool images of ancient Coke machines and buildings that reveal Sparta to be a land that time forgot.
The obvious tensions of black and white are present. But there’s more at play. The south versus north. The big city versus the small town. Even wealth gaps are included, further illustrating much more dynamic problems that plague us.
“In the Heat of the Night” is a very good movie, if not for the story than for the great acting and message it displays. It allows us to see the horrors of racism in a time not that far removed from the present.
“In the Heat of the Night” is currently available to stream or rent.
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