This undisputed masterpiece from director Norman Jewison (The Thomas Crown Affair) is one of the most radical and acclaimed movies of its generation. Rod Steiger (A Fistful of Dynamite) gives an Oscar-winning performance as a sheriff from small-town Mississippi who finds himself in an uneasy alliance with a black homicide detective from Philadelphia—strikingly portrayed by Sidney Poitier (Lilies of the Field). In the course of investigating the crime, the two strong-willed men must reconcile their inherent prejudice towards each other. The final result is justice—and an unlikely but touching mutual respect. Supporting performances by Warren Oates (Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia) and Lee Grant (The Landlord), an evocative score by Quincy Jones (The Getaway) and vivid cinematography by Haskell Wexler (The Conversation) all add to the film’s authentic aura of a hot summer evening in the Deep South. Winner of five Academy Awards including Best Picture for Walter Mirisch (The Great Escape), Best Adapted Screenplay for Stirling Silliphant (Charly) and Best Editing for Hal Ashby (The Cincinnati Kid), In the Heat of the Night is a blistering commentary on race relations and a landmark in entertainment. This 4KUHD special edition also includes the In the Heat of the Night sequels They Call Me Mister Tibbs! and The Organization on the second Blu-ray disc.
For thoughts on In The Heat Of The Night, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic here.
Video Quality
Kino Classics presents In The Heat Of The Night with a glorious 2160p transfer for the first time on 4K UHD Blu-Ray sourced from a 4K restoration of the 35mm Original Camera Negative conducted by Park Circus and MGM. For a number of reasons, the disc lacks the HDR for increased color output typically found on 4K UHD discs, but the disc does not suffer for it. The color grading on this disc seems to match that of the Criterion Blu-Ray release of this film that was already quite fetching. This Kino master delivers incredible nuance that brings out the beauty of this film that you did not realize was missing on previous releases. White levels are solid as a rock with no evidence of blooming as the highlights dazzle. The black levels are very impressive with little left to be desired in shadow detail and in resolving crushed blacks.
The level of detail and clarity is stunning with a pleasing amount of natural film grain intact. The grain resolves extremely well with it looking sharp and compact throughout. The texture on display in the costumes and within the interior settings are a revelation. Even facial details such as dripping sweat present with impressive clarity. This transfer barely features any stray specks after being restored so meticulously. This presentation is as true to the original look of the film as it can get with the added resolution making elements seem more immediate. There does not appear to be much in the way of jarring digital anomalies such as compression artifacts, banding or any other such nuisances. This presentation is a stellar effort from the good people at Kino Classics, and it serves as the definitive version of the film on the market.
Audio Quality
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with both a DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio track in English that handle this material well. While I do not have the previous Criterion release for comparison, it is my understanding that it featured an LPCM 1.0 mono track. The surround track is pleasing enough for those solely looking to engage all of their speakers, but the go-to track for most fans will be the 2.0 mono track that captures the original intention of the film. The environmental sounds such as the wind and dogs barking are rendered well alongside everything else. There does not seem to be any majorly noticeable instances of age-related wear and tear. The track does not feature constant kinetic activity, but it comes alive when it makes sense in a brilliant way. The memorable score from Quincy Jones is used perfectly to establish the mood of the story, and this track handles it elegantly throughout the duration of the film. There is never a moment where it threatens to overwhelm competing sounds, and it maintains a good balance so that dialogue comes through clearly. Kino Classics has given this film a perfectly preserved audio presentation that brings the movie to life in an exciting manner.
Special Features
Disc One – In The Heat Of The Night (4K UHD)
- Audio Commentary #1: Film Historians Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson provide an incredibly informative commentary track with Robert Mirisch (Nephew of Walter Mirisch, and Son of the Mirisch Company Founder Harold Mirisch). In this track, recorded just days after the passing of Sidney Poitier, the participants discuss the various drafts of the script in adapting the novel, the concerns that the film would not play well in the south, the themes of the film, the work of Norman Jewison, the backgrounds of the performers, stories from the production, the considered nature of the cinematography, the race issues that spilled into the real-world, the legacy of the feature and more.
- Audio Commentary #2: In this older archival commentary track, Director Norman Jewison, Cinematographer Haskell Wexler and Actors Rod Steiger and Lee Grant provide a terrific commentary track in which they reveal details about how they achieved certain photography effects, working with writer Stirling Silliphant, the importance of shooting on location, navigating around the censors, cuts that had to be made to the film, the interconnectedness of the story, and so much more. Many of these anecdotes will delight you since many of the key participants seem eager to share any information they have been holding onto.
Disc Two – Special Features (Blu-Ray)
- Feature Film – They Call Me Mister Tibbs! (1:48:45) (HD)
- Feature Film – The Organization (1:48:10) (HD)
- Turning Up The Heat – Movie Making In The 60s: A 21-minute featurette from 2008 featuring interviews with director Norman Jewison, producer Walter Mirisch, filmmakers John Singleton and Reginald Hudlin, film historian Patricia King Hanson, and more. This piece takes a look at the era in which the film was made, the enduring themes contained within, the examination of society’s relation to social change, how the film connects with audiences, the work of Sidney Poitier, what he meant to audiences of all races, issues during production and more.
- The Slap Heard Around The World: A seven-minute piece in which many of the same participants discuss a key scene from the film and how it impacted beyond the film.
- Quincy Jones – Breaking New Sound: A 13-minute piece from 2008 which focuses on Quincy Jones’ career and how his unique sounds helped shape the tone of In the Heat of the Night. There are some terrific interviews with Jones, jazz legend Herbie Hancock, film music historian Jon Burlingame, and numerous others.
- Trailers: The nearly three-minute trailer for In The Heat Of The Night is provided here. There are also trailers provided for They Call Me Mister Tibbs! and The Organization.
Final Thoughts
In The Heat Of The Night is a terrific film that has not faltered in the slightest with time. Sidney Poitier delivers a towering performance that stands as one of the greatest committed to celluloid. The direction of Norman Jewison is carefully considered with no hint of hesitation as it tackles hot-button issues that are painfully still relevant today. The film was awarded a series of awards, but it does not feel like quite enough to underscore what an amazing achievement this is on a technical level, not to mention how entertaining it is at the end of the day. Kino Classics has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a terrific A/V presentation and a fantastic array of supplemental features, including the two lesser-known sequels. If you are a fan of the film, this is by far the best it has ever looked on physical media. Essential
In The Heat Of The Night is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Kino Classics has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.