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As a story about Racism, this smacks as hard, or harder, than Poitier's role in "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner." Racism is only one of three, or four, plot lines to follow in the film. If the viewer(s) watch only for that aspect, they will cheat themselves out of a very fine film.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Excellent portrayal of the realistic day to day way of life in small town U.S.A. In this movie, the murder of an "important" person is the catalyst for the extreme handling of this case. The dead man was a wealthy industrialist from Chicago, in Sparta, Mississippi, to build a factory. That factory would have provided employment for more than 1000 local workers, white and black. In primarily uneducated, racially polarized, small communities like Sparta, this could be just the thing needed to break the feudal bonds of the "Company store", or as in the case of Sparta, the cotton gin. Such a factory could bring in lots of payroll dollars and totally revitalize the community. In this type of place, there usually is at least one or two major wealthy families who control practically all business, because they control almost all of the money, the police, and the local government. This is still true all over the fabric of America. As it so happened, in the heat of this night, a Philadelphia police detective (Sidney Poitier) is waiting to board a train home. Following the discovery of the dead industrialist, a police officer (Warren Oats) finds Poitier in the train station and immediately assumes that he is the killer. He's black, and not from here, so it must be him! Arrested and taken to jail, Poitier is interviewed by the police chief, Rod Steiger, who gives a true to life and ultimately believable performance of an early 1960's small time, small town Police Chief. Police in communities like these are people to be feared, by all people, both white and black - but much more so if you are black, in 196o. Life was much different if you were in some way "connected" to the rich or "BOSS" family in the area, - and there is always one or more. When Chief Gillespe (Striger) finds out that Virgil Tibbs (Poitier) is a big-time homicide expert, he enlists his help to help solve the case. The solution to this murder is full of twists and turns, and turns out to be nothing more than a robbery gone bad, although the reason was something totally different. This film is a character study of human prejudice, and the petty battles for power and wealth in nowhere, America. These kinds of places still dot the maps of every state. The choice of Mississippi for this story"s location is in itself somewhat prejudice, because this same scenario could have been equally true in Ohio, Kansas, or even Mississippi. This is an enjoyable movie, and I think that I will watch it again tonight.Read full review
This is a murder mystery set in the deep south in the early 1960s. Sidney Poitier is excellent in his portrayal of a homicide detective from Philadelphia who becomes an immediate suspect as he passes through this small town in Mississippi on his way back to Philadelphia. Rod Steiger and Warren Oates are perfect in their roles of the white, southern, and racist police officers who are confronted by Poitier and ultimately he is forced (by his commanding officer in Philly) to help with the investigation. I read the book when it came out in the late 1960s and the movie follows the book perfectly (which was A+++ too--a bestseller). There was no doubt that this movie got picture of the year and is a wonderful example of the southern culture during that time. Highly recommended---I have given this to many who have only seen the tv show, which cannot be compared to the movie at all---everyone agrees, A++++++++!!Read full review
This is a classic and timeless film. It is one you can watch again and again without getting bored. Poitier and Steiger are fabulous and healthy and engaging, so anyone can enjoy the film many times. Not to be missed...
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I love this movie. I've seen it several times before. That's why I bought it so I can watch it again. Sidney Poitier if fabulous and so is Rod Steiger. I'd recommend this great movie to anyone. it one five Oscars in 1967 including best picture!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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