The Corner Penthouse

The Criterion Collection recently released the In the Heat of the Night (1967) 4K UHD + Blu-ray. Let's take a look at it...

[ SYNOPSIS ]

Passing through the backwoods town of Sparta, Mississippi, Philadelphia detective Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) becomes embroiled in a murder case. He forms an uneasy alliance with the bigoted police chief (Rod Steiger), who faces mounting pressure from Sparta's hostile citizens to catch the killer and run the African American interloper out of town.

[ SPECIFICATIONS ]

The movie is presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with a runtime of 1:50:22 (the first 13 seconds is the Criterion logo). The movie has not been rated. Audio languages include English. Subtitle languages English SDH.

[ SPECIAL FEATURES ]

All of the content listed below can be found on the Blu-ray disc. The 4K UHD disc only contains the movie and the commentary.

• Audio Commentary - with director Norman Jewison, cinematographer Haskell Wexler, and actors Rod Steiger and Lee Grant; originally recorded in 2008.
• Norman Jewison (12:49) - This interview with director Norman Jewison was conducted exclusively for Criterion in Toronto in 2018.
• Sidney Poitier (7:44) - This interview with actor Sidney Poitier was included in the American Film Institute's 100 Years... 100 Cheers television special that originally aired on June 14, 2006.
• Lee Grant (15:02) - This interview with actress Lee Grant was conducted exclusively for Criterion in New York in 2018.
• Aram Goudsouzian (17:30) - This interview with Aram Goudsouzian, chair of the history department the University of Memphis and author of "Sidney Poitier: Man, Actor, Icon", was conducted exclusively for Criterion in Memphis, Tennessee, in October 2018.
• Turning Up the Heat (21:10) - This 2008 program takes a look at the production history of the film, featuring interviews with director Norman Jewison, producer Walter Mirisch, filmmakers John Singleton and Reginald Hudlin, film historian Patricia King Hanson, and others.
• Quincy Jones (13:03) - This 2008 featurette focuses on Quincy Jones' career and the soundtrack that he created for the film.
• Trailer (2:45)

[ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ]

Included inside the thick clear plastic case is a fold-out booklet containing the essay "The Double Bind" by K. Austin Collins (along with credits and transfer information).

[ NOTES ]

In the Heat of the Night (1967) is available on 4K UHD + Blu-ray, individual Blu-ray, and DVD. A excellent film of the type they don't make anymore with excellent performances by stars Rod Steiger and Sidney Poitier, along with a young Scott Wilson (Hershel on The Walking Dead). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. The movie also spawned a 1988-1995 TV series starring Carroll O'Connor in the Steiger role.

This item has been provided by the Criterion Collection for review on this site.