“In the Heat of the Night” revolves around a police officer who becomes a murder suspect due to racial prejudice. Determined to uncover the truth, he sets out to apprehend the real killer. Now, this crime thriller masterpiece is available for the first time in stunning 4K quality for your home viewing pleasure.
It’s a tale of one of the greatest heroes in American cinema, a gripping murder mystery, a swamp of injustices that makes you want to cry out in anger, and a cinematic slap in the face that changed film history forever. “In the Heat of the Night” is a cinematic milestone that deserves to be seen.
This film broke barriers and fundamentally altered the way major Hollywood productions were made. Now, you can experience this multi-award-winning thriller-drama in unparalleled quality as “In the Heat of the Night” is available in 4K for the first time, presented in a limited 2-disc edition!
This edition includes “In the Heat of the Night” on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray. Alternatively, you can rent or purchase this classic on Amazon Prime Video or stream it for free with commercials on Freevee. However, keep in mind that streaming options may not include the 48-page booklet found in the 4K edition, three audio commentaries, and several mini-documentaries, including one about the unforgettable and significant movie slap in history.
“In the Heat of the Night”: A Revolutionary Crime Thriller
The cold-blooded murder of an industrialist and his wife rocks the small Southern town of Sparta. Sheriff Gillespie (Rod Steiger) believes the case is an open-and-shut one: he suspects Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) due to the significant amount of money found on a man of his race. However, Tibbs is innocent and merely passing through as a police officer. To bring the real murderer to justice, Tibbs immerses himself in the investigation, unaware of the depths of racism and deception he is about to confront.
Released in 1967, “In the Heat of the Night” arrived during a time of societal upheaval in the United States. The era when Hollywood predominantly cast white actors in prominent roles in mainstream productions was fading away. However, BIPOC individuals in the dream factory still faced numerous obstacles. While some broke through, racist laws in U.S. society persisted, prompting activists to protest vociferously.
Therefore, the adaptation of John Ball’s crime novel “In the Heat of the Night” was groundbreaking. The project was explicitly designed for one of the few Black Hollywood stars, Oscar-winner Sidney Poitier. Poitier was intrigued by the story of a smart, determined investigator standing up against a racist community. However, he had concerns about traveling to the Southern United States for filming.
Ultimately, an agreement was reached, and only selected scenes were shot south of the Mason-Dixon line. Poitier also had a specific demand related to the content: as in the book, his character endures various insults. Yet, in the film, Virgil Tibbs stands his ground without flinching, even when faced with physical aggression. When a racist slaps him, he immediately strikes back. Poitier insisted that this once-unthinkable yet courageous scene not be cut, not even in the Southern states.
A Groundbreaking Slap and a Subtle Revolution
Poitier’s request was honored, and thus, the crime drama directed by Norman Jewison, known for “Rollerball,” became a turning point in U.S. film history. The slap generated a stir, leading to loud, positive reactions nationwide in theaters. Dialogues in which Tibbs commands attention and respect with calm assertiveness also resonated profoundly.
This success can be attributed to Stirling Silliphant’s script, which is both entertaining and socially conscious, as well as Sidney Poitier’s exceptional performance. An often-overlooked but valuable contribution to the film’s impact came from cinematographer Haskell Wexler. He initiated a subtle revolution: “In the Heat of the Night” is the first significant U.S. color film in which lighting was designed to enhance the appearance of a Black cast member.
Previously, directors and cinematographers exclusively tailored the setting to make white stars look good and capture as much of their expressions as possible. Wexler broke from this practice, lighting “In the Heat of the Night” to optimize Poitier’s performance. The film’s resounding success sent a clear message to the rest of Hollywood, encouraging them to follow suit. “In the Heat of the Night” won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Tibbs became the centerpiece of a three-part film series, and the American Film Institute recognized him as one of the 20 greatest heroes in American cinema. Even without contemplating how Tibbs shattered barriers with a slap and how this film altered the aesthetics (and production conditions) of U.S. cinema, “In the Heat of the Night” remains riveting suspense cinema even 56 years later. Thanks to a snappy, angry soundtrack, a dignified and frustrated central performance, and a thrillingly constructed story that is exciting in every sense of the word.