"It was the slap heard round the world. When Virgil Tibbs (Poitier) a black detective from Philadelphia investigating a murder in the deep South, fought back against a racist plantation owner (Larry Gates) in plain view of the white police chief (Rod Steiger), it sent shockwaves through audiences who before then had almost exclusively seen African Americans in more servile roles on movie screens. It was also a stunning change of pace for an actor who had previously made a name for himself playing dignified, non-violent individuals. Director Norman Jewison infuses this mystery thriller with a kinetic energy that matches the vigor of its two lead performances. 'In the Heat of the Night' won five Oscars, including Best Picture." - Gold Derby
"It's a pleasure, all too rare, to watch two splendid actors pitted against each other with equal force such as Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger in the exceptional murder mystery, In the Heat of the Night." - New York Daily News
"This is a brisk, well-oiled thriller with blistering performances and a crackling, memorable script. (‘They call me... MISTER TIBBS!’)" - Time Out