In the Heat of the Night (Criterion Collection) 4K Ultra HD Review

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Introduction 

Norman Jewison’s In the Heat of the Night (1967) is a gripping mystery drama that transcends its genre to deliver a searing commentary on race relations in 1960s America. Starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger, the film follows Philadelphia detective Virgil Tibbs (Poitier) as he navigates a murder investigation in the racially charged town of Sparta, Mississippi. A critical and commercial triumph, the film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and remains a landmark work for its unflinching exploration of prejudice and resilience. 

A Groundbreaking Narrative 

The film’s plot centers on Tibbs’ forced collaboration with bigoted Police Chief Bill Gillespie (Steiger) after industrialist Phillip Colbert is found dead. While the murder mystery drives the story, the tension between Tibbs and Sparta’s white establishment fuels the narrative’s urgency. From Tibbs’ wrongful arrest at the train station in the wee hours of the morning to his defiant slap against plantation owner Eric Endicott, the script by Stirling Silliphant confronts systemic racism head-on. The investigation peels back layers of hypocrisy, revealing a town where power dynamics and racial animus obscure the truth. Tibbs’ deductive brilliance gradually earns begrudging respect, culminating in a poignant farewell that hints at fragile progress. 

Powerhouse Performances 

Sidney Poitier’s portrayal of Virgil Tibbs is a masterclass in restrained dignity. His delivery of the iconic line, “They call me Mister Tibbs!” crystallizes the character’s refusal to be diminished by bigotry. Rod Steiger’s Oscar-winning turn as Gillespie is equally compelling, balancing bluster with subtle vulnerability. Their chemistry evolves from hostility to uneasy camaraderie, reflecting the film’s nuanced view of human complexity. Supporting roles, including Warren Oates as the morally conflicted Officer Wood and Quentin Dean as the troubled Delores Purdy, add depth to the town’s social tapestry. 

Themes of Racism and Redemption 

In the Heat of the Night refuses to sanitize the racial hatred of its setting. Tibbs’ expertise clashes with the town’s ingrained prejudices, exposing how racism corrupts justice. The film’s most electrifying moment—Tibbs slapping Endicott—challenges the era’s power structures, symbolizing a demand for equality. Gillespie’s arc, from complicit authority figure to reluctant ally, underscores the possibility of change, even if incremental. The story also critiques performative allyship; Mrs. Colbert’s insistence on Tibbs leading the investigation stems less from moral conviction than economic pragmatism. 

Legacy and Cultural Impact 

The film’s influence extends far beyond its 1967 release. Its preservation in the National Film Registry and inclusion in AFI’s “100 Greatest Films” attest to its enduring significance. Quincy Jones’ blues-infused score, featuring Ray Charles’ haunting title track, amplifies the narrative’s tension and melancholy. The success spawned sequels and a TV series, but the original remains unmatched in its thematic boldness. By framing a murder mystery within America’s racial strife, Jewison crafted a story that resonates decades later, reminding audiences that justice is inseparable from equality. 

The Video

The 4K restoration for In the Heat of the Night was created from the 35mm camera negative and was undertaken by Park Circus and MGM, with additional restoration by Resillion in New York.  The film in presented in a 1.85:1 HEVC 2160p (4K UHD) SDR encodement on 4K and AVC 1080p encodement on Blu-ray. Unfortunately, while reorganizing and culling my collection, I misplaced my Kino Lorber Studio Classics 4K copy from two years ago, so I am not able to do a side by side comparison at the time of this review. My first impression was that this Criterion release looked a little crisper and had a little more pop than the Kino Lorber disc, but that’s going solely from memory. Anyway, this is a fine transfer with lots of detail and vibrant color. Dolby Vision or HDR would have helped to bring out some of the colors of the scenes in the diner or the nighttime scenes, but otherwise, we get a lot of extended shadow detail and warm, sunny imagery in the outdoor scenes.

The Audio

The original mono mix in supplied in LPCM 1.0 and a 5.1 mix in DTS-HD Master Audio. The audio was remastered by Criterion from the original 35mm DME track. The 5.1 opens up the soundstage with some subtle atmospherics in the surround channels and limited stereo panning, but it really brings the Quincy Jones score to life with excellent dynamics. The 1.0 sounds clean.

The Supplements

There are no new features included with this release. Even the included essay is from the 2019 Criterion release.

Bonus Features:

• Audio commentary featuring director Norman Jewison, cinematographer Haskell Wexler, and actors Rod Steiger and Lee Grant, recorded in 2008.

On Blu-ray:

• Norman Jewison (1080p; 00:12:49) – This interview with director Norman Jewison was recorded by the Criterion Collection in Toronto in October 2018.
• Sidney Poitier (1080i-upscaled; 00:07:44) – This segment is from an interview with actor Sidney Poitier that was included in the American Film Institute’s 100 Years…100 Cheers television special, about the one hundred most inspiring films of all time, which originally aired on June 14, 2006.
• Lee Grant (1080p; 00:15:02) – This interview with actor Lee Grant was recorded by the Criterion Collection in New York in September 2018.
• Aram Goudsouzian (1080p; 00:17:30) – This interview with Aram Goudsouzian, chair of the history department at the University of Memphis and author of Sidney Poitier: Man, Actor, Icon, was recorded by the Criterion Collection in Memphis, Tennessee, in October 2018.
• Turning up the Heat: Movie-Making in the ‘60s (1080i; 00:21:10) – This 2008 program, featuring interviews with director Norman Jewison, producer Walter Mirisch, and filmmakers John Singleton and Reginald Hudlin, provides an in-depth look at the production of In the Heat of the Night and its legacy.
• Quincy Jones: Breaking New Sound (1080i; 00:13:03) – This 2008 program on In the Heat of the Night’s innovative soundtrack by Quincy Jones, including its title song as performed by Ray Charles, features interviews with Jones, lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman, and musician Herbie Hancock.
• Trailer (1080p; 00:02:45)

The Final Assessment

In the Heat of the Night is a cinematic triumph, blending suspense with social critique. Poitier and Steiger’s performances anchor a story that refuses to offer easy resolutions, instead presenting a stark portrait of a society grappling with its own prejudices. Over 50 years later, the film’s exploration of dignity, accountability, and incremental change remains urgently relevant. It stands not just as a relic of its time, but as a timeless challenge to confront injustice—a testament to the power of cinema to provoke reflection and, perhaps, progress. This Criterion Collection 4K release presents the film in a gorgeous restoration even though it rehashes older bonus materials. Unless you must have the Criterion extras and packaging, the previous Kino Lorber 4K release may be good enough, however.

In the Heat of the Night is out on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray May 6, 2025, from the Criterion Collection

• Rating Certificate: Approved
• Studios & Distributors: The Mirisch Corporation | The Criterion Collection
• Director: Norman Jewison
• Written By: Stirling Silliphant | John Ball
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Video Format: HEVC 2160p (4K UHD)
• HDR Format: SDR
• Primary Audio: English LPCM 1.0
• Secondary Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1
• Subtitles: English SDH