Blu-ray Review - In the Heat of the NIght

In the Heat of the Night
Director: Norman Jewison
Starring: Sidney Poitier, Rob Steiger
Studio: MGM
Release Date: January 14, 2014
Retail: $19.99
ASIN: B00GICP84W
Running Time: 110 minutes
Rating: Not Rated

Review:

The classic 1967 film In the Heat of the Night, based on the book of the same name by John Ball, arrived on Blu-Ray for the first time last week, January 14, 2014. The film was directed by Norman Jewison and stars Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger. It won five Academy Awards including the 1967 award for Best Picture. Sidney Poitier returned for both sequels, They Call Me Mr. Tibbs! and The Organization. In 1988, it was adapted into a long running television series starring Carroll O'Connor.

At time of the film's release, it was considered an edgy look at life in the south by critics and moviegoers alike. Special Features on the Blu-ray features a commentary with Norman Jewison, Lee Grant, Rob Steiger and cinematographer Haskell Wexler; Turning Up the Heat: Movie Making in the '60s; The Slap Heard Around The World; and Quincy Jones: Breaking New Sound.

Sidney Poitier plays the lead role as Detective Virgil Tibbs, who happens to be waiting for a train in Sparta, Mississippi, while at the same time there is a murderer on the loose in the small town. Due to his skin color and the amount of cash found in his wallet, he is taken into custody, but is quickly let go when the Police Chief Bill Gillespie realizes he is a homicide detective who was traveling back to Philadelphia after visiting his mother.

This is the '60s, so Gillespie is prejudiced against blacks and is embarrassed over the situation. Tibbs doesn't like the way he has been treated and wants to leave Sparta as soon as possible, but he finds himself helping the Police Chief find out who murdered Mr. Colbert. Gillespie isn't the only resident that is prejudice, so Tibbs has his work cut out for him, as he tries to unravel the mystery in time to catch the next train to Philadelphia.

I have to admit that I have never seen the film until I reviewed the Blu-ray last week. Of course I remember the television series and I was well aware it was based on a movie starring Sidney Poitier. Considering the age of the movie, it was beautifully transferred on Blu-ray. I can see why it won Best Picture for 1967, as well as Best Actor for Rod Steiger's performance. I do find it odd that Sidney Poitier wasn't nominated for his portrayal of Tibbs. Overall, In the Heat of the Night is a well-crafted mystery that I enjoyed watching.

*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.