It is not just the vocal silence in the scene. It is the punctuations by the chair and leather squeaking, scuffing on floors, bottle placed down, wallet thrown on the table. All of this Foley is essential to the tension.
Exactly. The sound element was amazing - the leather of the Chief’s belt and in later scenes the sound of the squeaky air conditioner which stopped working.
Rod Steiger milked that famous interview scene for all its worth as he always did in many films, whereas Pottier’s minimalist acting stole the entire scene.
tibbs was not 'sent' from philadelphia to sparta mississippi to investigate a murder...he was just there visiting his mother, was arrested as a suspect and after he was cleared, was asked by his chief to help investigate although quite reluctantly at first-- and yes, this sure is a great movie scene! :D
Old post, but Tibbs was not in Sparta visiting his mother. He visited her either in Brownsville, Texas, or somewhere else before boarding a train to Brownsville. He was in Sparta on a 3 1/2 hour stop between trains while headed back home to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
I must clarify the narrators opening comment. Sidney’s character was visiting he’s Mother. He was not sent to Sparta rather picked up by the deputy at the train station. Just a minor miss que
Yup. Definitely one of the best scenes ever put on film. I could watch this film once a week and never get enough of it, and this is probably the best scene.
Classic clip ❤ Don't think we have any trouble virgel 😂😂❤ Those were the days back then We had the best golden years back then When stars were natural Back then ❤ Sidney pottier ❤ And the flim❤
“Heat” is a fantastic film; and while there are many scenes in the movie that are Oscar-worthy (for both Steiger and Poitier), I wouldn’t have chosen the one you did as being the best, or that had the most impact. That honor would go to the now-iconic “greenhouse” scene, where Tibbs is questioning a wealthy plantation owner, Eric Endicott (played superbly by actor Larry Gates) and, in response to one of the questions that Tibbs asks, and feeling that it’s far above Tibb’s “place” to ask it, Endicott slaps him, at which point, in reaction and without pause, Tibbs slaps him back. This scene came to be known in cinema history as “the slap heard ‘round the world”, because nothing like this had ever been done before. If any part of the movie shows the intensity of The Civil Rights struggle of the time, this is that scene. In the real world at that time, northern cities were burning in the riots of what were known as “the long, hot summers”; Chicago, Newark, Detroit, Cleveland, Watts in L.A. - but those weren’t happening in the South - instead, fire hoses, night sticks, clubs and guard dogs were being leveled at black demonstrators, who mostly accepted these things in passive response ( for a while), so to see a scene where a black man stood up for himself, and who did not passively accept the physical abuses of a white man, carried a very powerful impact indeed. The film is a masterpiece; the script, directing and acting is stellar - and not just from Rod And Sidney, but from Warren Oates, Quentin Dean, Lee Grant, Larry Gates... the entire cast was superb. And, I’m not suggesting that the scene you chose as being “the best” was in any way a weak scene. It wasn’t; it sets up the entire movie. But I don’t believe that it’s the scene that those who have seen the movie remembers the most. The “slap” undeniably holds that distinction. PS... Tibbs wasn’t “sent” to assist in the murder investigation. He was picked up by Ward (Warren Oates) as a suspect in the murder of a rich white man; he was only in Sparta waiting for a train (which is plainly laid out in this scene you chose)... he was ordered by his chief in Philadelphia to stay and help with the investigation.
Thanks. Saves me repeating what you wrote. I agree about the scene with Endicott, but I still prefer the scene these two hockey pucks showed. I love Rod Steiger (check out The Illustrated Man movie, about Ray Bradbury's novel). His reaction to Poitier's badge is wonderful. No words, but his reaction when his deputy sees the badge is priceless. These two idiots were reviewing a "cop" movie, not a 1965 Mississippi racial attitudes movie. I believe that this scene is most important because it is where a southern white sheriff finds himself faced with needing the help of a black man. Solving this murder is more important to Gillespie than being a bigot. The final scene at the train station is great, too, but you need to understand the entire movie. Gillespie comes within inches of thanking a black man for his help, but can't quite get there. This movie is a masterpiece. It deserved all five Academy Awards, especially Rod Steiger's Best Actor >>> ua-cam.com/video/mg1ZFSgQdrU/v-deo.html
I have always wondered if Tibb's being ordered by his superior officer to remain in Sparta and "assist with the investigation" (Tibbs is a detective and outranks the sheriff) isn't also an act of racism... a way for a white northern police department to get rid of an assertive (read troublesome) black detective. Mr Tibbs earns his rank on merit but modern audiences must also remember equal opportunity employment for black Americans was violently resisted in the North as much as integrated schooling. I think many film critiques overlook the potential racism underlying the police directive making Tibbs stay in Sparta
@@siobhancrowley5195 No... you're way off on that idea, although it's a good thought to consider. If they wanted to 'get rid of a troublesome, assertive black detective', he would've never risen to the status of homicide investigator to begin with. No, I think they genuinely wanted Tibbs to help the sheriff with the murder investigation.
@@squatch570i agree.the phone calls proves it, Tibbs' chief clearly says to Gillespie that Virgil is their biggest homicide expert ,and from the tone Virgil uses speaking on the phone with his chief you get they have a very good relation
@@kalmia01 Absolutely!! Tibbs' relationship with his chief is good and solid and his chief recognizes how valuable Tibbs is and how helpful he can be to Sparta, if only Gillespie, AND Tibbs can get past their bigotry.
this movie is one of my favorites , lol these guys gave me a chuckle 🤭 Tibbs wasn’t sent to investigate the murder , he was visiting his mother , he was asked to stay and help since he was an expert..
I thought the better scene was when the Chief asks the officer did you question this man before you brought him in and then says would you take a look at that, and before you have a chance to think about what’s going to happen next Rod yells out, Oh Yeah! Oh Yeah! I love that scene.
They spent literally NO time analyzing Poitier's BRILLIANT acting in this scene. They don't even try to mention the depth of his emotions and body language/facial expressions/stares/silent communications. Ridiculous.
I love this scene when it played out in 67-68 -"In the Heat of the Night." I remember the slap came from the white owner to Sidney which Sidney slapped him back. There wasn't a sound in the theatre because it wasn't expected but everyone was surprised and more amazed later. I love this movie - I was 21 and went with my sisters to see this movie "Heat of the Night" was fantastic. Hard to believe A/C were not available in most homes back in the 50s and 60s. I love this scene when Rod Steiger meets Sidney Poitier. More than ever when Rod Steiger won the Oscar and definitely earned it. Loved Rod Steiger's speech and how he included Sidney Poitier in it. One of the best films of the late 60s.
At the station, Tibbs could have shown his ID and the movie would have ended there. An hilarious plot contrivance buried under brilliant direction and acting. One of the great movies.
This was the most intense and unexpected revelation that made the movie. The other scene in the same movie is where Sydney Portier says they call me Mr. Tibbs!!
Two of our finest actors, no question, and both very versatile. Steiger perhaps the more versatile of the two. One of my favorite films- definitely in the top 5. It never gets old. Excellent supporting cast, especially Warren Oates.
@@pattylabell2166 Rod Steiger plays the head cop in this scene, and his numerous other films include 1954's On The Waterfront, 1955's Oklahoma!, 1965's Dr. Zhivago, 1969's The Illustrated Man, 1979's The Amityville Horror, and even 1996's Mars Attacks.
Glad I found this. I attended AU in the 1970s and took film classes there, so I'm glad to see this very basic analysis of this scene. I also live in and until recently worked in Mississippi. This review is interesting because it's a product of its time, only 5 years ago things were a little more under the surface here and throughout the country. Now, 2021, things are more raw and the racist past of Mississippi has more of an edge to it. Living down here I understand some of the nuances of this scene better than the reviewers do. This deserves an essay, and the comment section here is a bad place for that.
I was a teenager when this came out, so it wasn't even on my radar. By the time I eventually stumbled across reruns of the TV series, I was hardly aware they'd been based on this film. Now I'm retired & seeing clips of the film for the very first time. I'm captivated by the compelling & brilliant performances & plot, and I just might have to break my vow & buy a TV, just so I can see the entire movie.
Yes your ANCESTORS had to deal with it, YOU never did and never will with your fucking entitlement and race card. But if you keep tryna use them, you're gonna find out they have a spending limit that will put you all at the back of the damn bus once again.
Wow Austin a lot of anger over a true statement by a person who watched the movie!you don't know what the person has gone through. We will never go back to those days again. The two Nimrods in the start evidently never viewed the entire film!
Please note that he was not “sent” from Philadelphia to Sparta to investigate the murder. He was arrested, brought to the police station, and while on the phone with his chief back in Philadelphia that chief asked him to assist in the investigation.
Great scene. "I'm a police officer", and slapping back Mr. Endicott. America has often used sports and entertainment to move us towards a more better union.
I think the "best" scene in the Movie is when Virgil was slapped by the white man & Virgil returned his slap with a vicious (good ol fashioned) backhand & slapped the hell out of him.
You forgot to mention Sgt. Gillespie's a fact about his "Gum Chewing" (He only chews when in control). When ever he "stops Chewing" (throughout the film), it is when each time Gillespie realizes that Tibbs is in fact correct. (that was apparently an idea by Steiger alone) Brilliant!
Since I have watched this movie, this particular scene is etched in my memory for some reason. I just want to watch this scene again and again. Rod's acting is superb.
These guys don't have the correct analysis...he wasn't sent there, he was visiting his mother...and the other cop that didn't "ask" him if he was a cop!...they should get a different line of work.
Hey. They wouldn't be humanities professors if they weren't at least partial morons who at least part of the time didn't know what they're talking about - but gave themselves lots of room to yap, anyhow.
I kind of got the feeling that Gillespie picked up right away on an intuitive level that Virgil wasn't the killer. He joked about Virgil's name. Virgil was dressed very nicely with tie and suit. His demeanor was very calm and controlled. But being a law enforcement officer he has to take things to its conclusion since Virgil was brought in. Side note...got to love those yellow glasses.
Gillespie joking about the name Virgil reminded me that here in southern Illinois where the movie was filmed back in 1967 a very high profile basketball and football coach was named Virgil. Not a name that was joked about.
I took the chief's reaction to the name Virgil, was one of assuming that Tibbs was gay, and passive. Ironic, given that Steiger was bisexual in real life.
The greatness of this film doesn't hesitate. The theme song, the night lights of the dark Southern city and sharpening clarity of the GMO livery badge on the train engine. All this setup immediately takes the audience to the deserted waiting room alongside Virgil Tibbs. From that point on the film moves quickly through the various characters in the sweltering Southern night and days. So hot I'll bet the soft drink concession was popular during those shows.
Sorry just a correction there.Tibbs wasn't sent there to investigate the murder he was visiting his Mother.Magnetic performances by both actors throughout the film. Love it! They just don't make films like this nowadays. 😉
Let's be honest here...there is no audience today that would even have the capability to get engrossed with this fine movie...ya see, today the average moviegoer, wants to see an extension of his favorite video game, complete with CG animation. Short attention span explains everything here.
One of the hosts says he was sent to small southern town. He did not get sent there. He was waiting to catch a train and was brought in as a murderer suspect.
My four white millenial kids grew up on music, books, film, sports and faith, not computer games, so they're different (thankfully!) They are fascinated by the race interplay in this movie and Guess Who's coming to dinner, both Poitier made in the SAME YEAR!! As sheriff Gillespie would say, OH YEAAAAAH!
There was only one point in the whole film where Steiger reverts to his regular voice and personality which is the scene in his apartment alone with Portier toward the end where he reflects on how the town "doesn't want him as police chief" and how lonely he is and then resents Portier's reaction which is hard to understand
He could not allow a Black man to comfort him in any way..Steiger knew his role very well, and the resulting awkwardness of that scene was powerful, in a pathetic way.
IMHO the best scene in this film takes place in Gillespie’s living room. Both cops are reflecting on their lives. The emptiness, loneliness of their calling. Brilliant.
They don't get it. Mr. Tibbs acted subservient because he knew he could get shot or beaten up if he didn't. According to the book, he did not even have the outburst of annoyance when he said "I'm a police officer." Too dangerous. And the Sheriff did shake Virgil's hand once, to prove his appreciation; he considered shaking it a second time later, but figured that once was enough; no point in overdoing it. They did not actually become friends as in the movie, but they were able to work together to solve the crime.
Where did you EARN IT? "Philadelphia'. Mississippi? PennsylVANIA. The speech rhythms alone! Completely different subject, but '"Slingblade" has some great rhythms like this also.
The guy on the left has has facts wrong: He says Poitier has gone south to investigate a murder. In the movie, he tells Gillespy, he was visiting his mother. The murder happened to occur when he was visiting. jeeeze.... Why pose as experts when you don't know your subject?
Maybe it's me but did these guys look at the same movie as us? Tibbs was passing through waiting for his train. He wasn't sent to help. For a minute he was looked at for a suspect
This is the suspension we face, all the time. Plus this scene demonstrates what we were told and passed down, about keeping cool when we are stopped and approached by police officers. Some how, after the crack era we stopped passing it down.
Tibbs was visitingvhis mother in Brownsville and caught the train heading home with change/stopover in Sparta. Sam happened upon Tibbs at the train station
Not "sent down" to investigate a murder was there to "visit my mother" you totally missed one of the most important lines of the movie. Did you watch it.
Just wanna say: I have the same reaction on gum and when you got uneasy about it, I felt the same way. It’s a neurological disorder called misophonia and there’s no cure, currently. Hate to be the bearer of bad news but I feel you
Dude, when you're in a critique of a 56 year old dramatic gold standard movie, you should never say "I'm trying not to give too much away here...". We're listening for you to give it all away. It's why we clicked.
You both are watching a movie, when a person of color watches this scene we are holding our breath. When you are standing in front of a cop after being dragged away from whatever you were doing (waiting for a train) you're taught from experience not to talk or move until you're asked. If you notice Sydney doesn't move from where the deputy puts him until his identity is finally allowed to be known. Even then he could still lose life due to the ignorance of his captors. When watching a movie of this caliber it's very hard to see the characters and not the actors playing the characters. That's what i love abt this era of movies . My favorite line and scene as a man of color is when Virgil is seen thru the eyes of the sheriff and eventually his own eyes that he can be and is prejudice against the plantation owner. When you think you're morally above your overseers you. no longer can see your flaws. Which is what is happening today (BLM)
He was not sent to the town to investigate the Murder. He was on the train going home from visiting his Mother going back to Philadelphia. He was on a lay over at the train station in Sparta waiting for the next train when one of the Deputies pick him up under suspicion at the Train station.
Just to add a bit of spice to the commentary; the location shots were filmed in Sparta, Illinois. A very rural town in the southern part of the state that could certainly be taken for Deep South. (I got my MS at Southern Illinois U Carbondale, and worked for the uni for 14 years thereafter. If you wanted to avoid the Deep South but still get the look, this was a great choice.)
Not to be picky however the host stated that Poitier "was sent to a small southern town to investigate a murder". In fact, he was in town visiting his mother when he was picked up as a potential suspect in a murder.
right! i love the scene and have watched it over and over again. but the scene doesn't make sense from Virgil's point of view. he could have been murdered at any moment by some trigger-cop, so i don't think he was delaying his identity for some dramatic moment to 'spring it' on them. right at the beginning, why not come right out with it--"just look in my jacket. i'm a police officer."
Tibbs doesn't "get sent to a small Southern town to investigate a murder". He is there en route from seeing his mother, and he battles his motivation to help the local police as encouraged by his boss up North. A small point, but it lies at the early crux of the film. Please get these small things correct!
Mister Tibbs could well be calculating his risk of revealing too much might get him killed and buried. It was the fact that the sheriff was even willing to ask where he got the money, that indicated the sheriff was concerned with building a case, not in finding a Whipping Boy. Then Mister Tibbs realized it was not a high-risk proposition to reveal early that he was a cop rather than wait till his situation became more public, and therefore no longer politic to be disappeared , which might take days
My personal favorite scene is with Sidney and Beah Richards as Mama Caleba the abortionist. The energy is off the charts. As for this scene it all climaxes with the word ....officer at the end.
Interesting points! Obviously the usage of the N word in this film was to reveal how many people in the South are conditioned to dislike other races from the time they were children. The police chief's character is interesting in the sense that as the movie progresses you get the impression that he likes Virgil and is persistent in protecting him from racists and in a few scenes outright defending him. The ending is telling when Virgil is boarding the train and the police chief says..."Virgil?..."You take care now...ya hear?"...Which reveals that he respects Virgil and personally likes him and perhaps the racism he grew up with is unfair and unjust...and that people are people.....and the way he smiles at Virgil is loving and considerate...and that he accepts him as a human being.
I know this is an old video, but the professor on the left is wrong. Sidney Portier's character, Mr. Tibbs a Philadelphia homicide detective, WAS NOT sent to assist in a murder investigation. He was in the town of Sparta to visit his mother and then by being black was caught up in the murder. Accuracy matters, especially when teaching others on a particular subject.
Great direction (a small example) at 2:35 the train whistle blows and both of them look at the same place, the clock on the wall. A lesser director would have shown us a shot of the clock but Lumet doesn't want to leave these two faces for the whole scene.
These guys should call the channel "Re-Stating The Apparent." "The movie takes place in the context of the Civil Rights Movement?" "Really?" "You don't say."
Great scene, loved it, but I don't know if this tge best scene. For me the best part is when Endicott slaps Tibbs and Tibbs slaps him back! This is IMHO is the best scene for me.
It is not just the vocal silence in the scene. It is the punctuations by the chair and leather squeaking, scuffing on floors, bottle placed down, wallet thrown on the table. All of this Foley is essential to the tension.
Exactly. The sound element was amazing - the leather of the Chief’s belt and in later scenes the sound of the squeaky air conditioner which stopped working.
I could watch that scene over and over it gets better every time.
A Master class by itself.
There are so many scenes where I feel the same way. This is one of a few films. I would consider purchasing.
Rod Steiger milked that famous interview scene for all its worth as he always did in many films, whereas Pottier’s minimalist acting stole the entire scene.
This whole movie is the greatest scene ever.
Totally John B
so true! amazing movie!
Damn right!!!
You right about that
tibbs was not 'sent' from philadelphia to sparta mississippi to investigate a murder...he was just there visiting his mother, was arrested as a suspect and after he was cleared, was asked by his chief to help investigate although quite reluctantly at first-- and yes, this sure is a great movie scene! :D
Came to say that…. It’s the entire point of the scene
Yep, as soon as I heard the host say that I knew he was wrong on that.
He obviously had never watched the movie.
Apparently these guys know nothing about the movie and they are “film professors”.
Yep. Professors need to watch the film, not just clips!
Old post, but Tibbs was not in Sparta visiting his mother. He visited her either in Brownsville, Texas, or somewhere else before boarding a train to Brownsville.
He was in Sparta on a 3 1/2 hour stop between trains while headed back home to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
two absolute giants. Each giving the other room to act. Fantastic.
RIP to the late great Sidney Poitier, a true icon and Rod Steiger
I must clarify the narrators opening comment. Sidney’s character was visiting he’s Mother. He was not sent to Sparta rather picked up by the deputy at the train station. Just a minor miss que
* His mother.
* Miscue.
I can see why Rod Steiger received the Best Actor award. The facial expressions alone are amazing.
Off the cuff I’d say he’s in the top five character actors ever. Robert Duvall comes to mind, too. The Pawnbroker was heartbreaking
Yup. Definitely one of the best scenes ever put on film. I could watch this film once a week and never get enough of it, and this is probably the best scene.
That's a tough call. Great film. Great acting. 👍 Heavy Poitier
Heavy Steiger
I'm a police officer!!!!!!!!
There are a lot of things going on in this scene but my favorite thing is when the train horn blows just at the right time to back up Tibbs’s story.
Three favourite actors in one scene. Thank you for posting.
Classic clip
❤
Don't think we have any trouble virgel 😂😂❤
Those were the days back then
We had the best golden years back then
When stars were natural
Back then ❤
Sidney pottier ❤
And the flim❤
“Heat” is a fantastic film; and while there are many scenes in the movie that are Oscar-worthy (for both Steiger and Poitier), I wouldn’t have chosen the one you did as being the best, or that had the most impact. That honor would go to the now-iconic “greenhouse” scene, where Tibbs is questioning a wealthy plantation owner, Eric Endicott (played superbly by actor Larry Gates) and, in response to one of the questions that Tibbs asks, and feeling that it’s far above Tibb’s “place” to ask it, Endicott slaps him, at which point, in reaction and without pause, Tibbs slaps him back. This scene came to be known in cinema history as “the slap heard ‘round the world”, because nothing like this had ever been done before. If any part of the movie shows the intensity of The Civil Rights struggle of the time, this is that scene. In the real world at that time, northern cities were burning in the riots of what were known as “the long, hot summers”; Chicago, Newark, Detroit, Cleveland, Watts in L.A. - but those weren’t happening in the South - instead, fire hoses, night sticks, clubs and guard dogs were being leveled at black demonstrators, who mostly accepted these things in passive response ( for a while), so to see a scene where a black man stood up for himself, and who did not passively accept the physical abuses of a white man, carried a very powerful impact indeed.
The film is a masterpiece; the script, directing and acting is stellar - and not just from Rod And Sidney, but from Warren Oates, Quentin Dean, Lee Grant, Larry Gates... the entire cast was superb.
And, I’m not suggesting that the scene you chose as being “the best” was in any way a weak scene. It wasn’t; it sets up the entire movie. But I don’t believe that it’s the scene that those who have seen the movie remembers the most.
The “slap” undeniably holds that distinction.
PS... Tibbs wasn’t “sent” to assist in the murder investigation. He was picked up by Ward (Warren Oates) as a suspect in the murder of a rich white man; he was only in Sparta waiting for a train (which is plainly laid out in this scene you chose)... he was ordered by his chief in Philadelphia to stay and help with the investigation.
Thanks. Saves me repeating what you wrote. I agree about the scene with Endicott, but I still prefer the scene these two hockey pucks showed. I love Rod Steiger (check out The Illustrated Man movie, about Ray Bradbury's novel). His reaction to Poitier's badge is wonderful. No words, but his reaction when his deputy sees the badge is priceless. These two idiots were reviewing a "cop" movie, not a 1965 Mississippi racial attitudes movie. I believe that this scene is most important because it is where a southern white sheriff finds himself faced with needing the help of a black man. Solving this murder is more important to Gillespie than being a bigot. The final scene at the train station is great, too, but you need to understand the entire movie. Gillespie comes within inches of thanking a black man for his help, but can't quite get there.
This movie is a masterpiece. It deserved all five Academy Awards, especially Rod Steiger's Best Actor >>> ua-cam.com/video/mg1ZFSgQdrU/v-deo.html
I have always wondered if Tibb's being ordered by his superior officer to remain in Sparta and "assist with the investigation" (Tibbs is a detective and outranks the sheriff) isn't also an act of racism... a way for a white northern police department to get rid of an assertive (read troublesome) black detective. Mr Tibbs earns his rank on merit but modern audiences must also remember equal opportunity employment for black Americans was violently resisted in the North as much as integrated schooling. I think many film critiques overlook the potential racism underlying the police directive making Tibbs stay in Sparta
@@siobhancrowley5195 No... you're way off on that idea, although it's a good thought to consider. If they wanted to 'get rid of a troublesome, assertive black detective', he would've never risen to the status of homicide investigator to begin with. No, I think they genuinely wanted Tibbs to help the sheriff with the murder investigation.
@@squatch570i agree.the phone calls proves it, Tibbs' chief clearly says to Gillespie that Virgil is their biggest homicide expert ,and from the tone Virgil uses speaking on the phone with his chief you get they have a very good relation
@@kalmia01 Absolutely!! Tibbs' relationship with his chief is good and solid and his chief recognizes how valuable Tibbs is and how helpful he can be to Sparta, if only Gillespie, AND Tibbs can get past their bigotry.
The train horn immediately substantiates his alibi.
When just being a police officer was enough to have respect
this movie is one of my favorites , lol these guys gave me a chuckle 🤭 Tibbs wasn’t sent to investigate the murder , he was visiting his mother , he was asked to stay and help since he was an expert..
I thought the better scene was when the Chief asks the officer did you question this man before you brought him in and then says would you take a look at that, and before you have a chance to think about what’s going to happen next Rod yells out, Oh Yeah! Oh Yeah! I love that scene.
Two of the best actors and one of the best movies ever created! ❤❤❤
Hollywood is incapable of making a movie of this quality anymore.
Every year there are amazing movies, stop living in dream land!
From the chewing gum to the slapping of the face l could watch it EVERY night
me too. that scene is the best ive have ever scene between 2 actors. powerful
They spent literally NO time analyzing Poitier's BRILLIANT acting in this scene. They don't even try to mention the depth of his emotions and body language/facial expressions/stares/silent communications. Ridiculous.
same for both actors
Or Rod Steiger's! Steiger is the one who subtly shifted his mood about three times (4:55).
Run outside and play, don't cry!
Not one person negated Poitier. Steiger was brilliant. Unclench.
@@j.dragon651 My point exactly.
I love this scene when it played out in 67-68 -"In the Heat of the Night." I remember the slap came from the white owner to Sidney which Sidney slapped him back. There wasn't a sound in the theatre because it wasn't expected but everyone was surprised and more amazed later. I love this movie - I was 21 and went with my sisters to see this movie "Heat of the Night" was fantastic. Hard to believe A/C were not available in most homes back in the 50s and 60s. I love this scene when Rod Steiger meets Sidney Poitier. More than ever when Rod Steiger won the Oscar and definitely earned it. Loved Rod Steiger's speech and how he included Sidney Poitier in it. One of the best films of the late 60s.
At the station, Tibbs could have shown his ID and the movie would have ended there. An hilarious plot contrivance buried under brilliant direction and acting. One of the great movies.
You see that deputy? Chances are still brings him in
What do call you back home...THEY CALL ME MR. TIBS!!!
This was the most intense and unexpected revelation that made the movie.
The other scene in the same movie is where Sydney Portier says they call me Mr. Tibbs!!
Two of our finest actors, no question, and both very versatile. Steiger perhaps the more versatile of the two. One of my favorite films- definitely in the top 5. It never gets old. Excellent supporting cast, especially Warren Oates.
Who is steiger?
@@pattylabell2166 Rod Steiger plays the head cop in this scene, and his numerous other films include 1954's On The Waterfront, 1955's Oklahoma!, 1965's Dr. Zhivago, 1969's The Illustrated Man, 1979's The Amityville Horror, and even 1996's Mars Attacks.
@@randolphpatterson5061Plus Sergio Leone's "Duck you, sucker!"... (And that guy knew something about recognizing true giants).
Great movie, Rod and Sidney are fabulous. RIP to both.
Glad I found this. I attended AU in the 1970s and took film classes there, so I'm glad to see this very basic analysis of this scene. I also live in and until recently worked in Mississippi. This review is interesting because it's a product of its time, only 5 years ago things were a little more under the surface here and throughout the country. Now, 2021, things are more raw and the racist past of Mississippi has more of an edge to it. Living down here I understand some of the nuances of this scene better than the reviewers do. This deserves an essay, and the comment section here is a bad place for that.
I was a teenager when this came out, so it wasn't even on my radar. By the time I eventually stumbled across reruns of the TV series, I was hardly aware they'd been based on this film. Now I'm retired & seeing clips of the film for the very first time. I'm captivated by the compelling & brilliant performances & plot, and I just might have to break my vow & buy a TV, just so I can see the entire movie.
They left out the best part when Steiger said "yeah, oh yeah"
rod nailed it. this is what black folk have to deal with,judged before being judged
Yes your ANCESTORS had to deal with it, YOU never did and never will with your fucking entitlement and race card. But if you keep tryna use them, you're gonna find out they have a spending limit that will put you all at the back of the damn bus once again.
Wow Austin a lot of anger over a true statement by a person who watched the movie!you don't know what the person has gone through. We will never go back to those days again. The two Nimrods in the start evidently never viewed the entire film!
@@austinteutsch you sound ready to start another civil war over slavery!
It's just preventative justice ,about the only kind of justice you could get in the 60s deep south
Please note that he was not “sent” from Philadelphia to Sparta to investigate the murder. He was arrested, brought to the police station, and while on the phone with his chief back in Philadelphia that chief asked him to assist in the investigation.
One of my favorite lines in this movie, what’s your name boy. They call me Mr. Tibbs!!!
Tells it all. And it became the very title of the sequel.
Great scene. "I'm a police officer", and slapping back Mr. Endicott. America has often used sports and entertainment to move us towards a more better union.
The chemistry between Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger is incredible but what about a mention for Warren Oats in the support role.
I think the "best" scene in the Movie is when Virgil was slapped by the white man & Virgil returned his slap with a vicious (good ol fashioned) backhand & slapped the hell out of him.
You forgot to mention Sgt. Gillespie's a fact about his "Gum Chewing" (He only chews when in control). When ever he "stops Chewing" (throughout the film), it is when each time Gillespie realizes that Tibbs is in fact correct. (that was apparently an idea by Steiger alone) Brilliant!
I love Warren Oates, all the actors in this movie were excellent
Perfect as always, too.
Since I have watched this movie, this particular scene is etched in my memory for some reason. I just want to watch this scene again and again. Rod's acting is superb.
Rod won an Oscar for best actor..The movie won Best Picture
A top ten movie of all time. Brilliant plot, acting and great music. Still a timely movie.
Top three
ONE OF THE BEST MOVIE THAT I WATCH IN MY ENTIRE LIFE= PURE SHOW=BEST OF THE BEST NOVEL.
Virgil was not there to investigate a murder he was there to visit his mother
These guys don't have the correct analysis...he wasn't sent there, he was visiting his mother...and the other cop that didn't "ask" him if he was a cop!...they should get a different line of work.
I know right, how can you make that mistake? I wonder if they actually watched the entire movie.
Black prejudices is why white questions were not asked.
Not sure you're right that they said that Gillespie asked Tibbs whether he was a cop; but agree that he was not sent there.
How can these two professors of cinema at whatever university not even know the nice essentials of the plot?
Hey. They wouldn't be humanities professors if they weren't at least partial morons who at least part of the time didn't know what they're talking about - but gave themselves lots of room to yap, anyhow.
I kind of got the feeling that Gillespie picked up right away on an intuitive level that Virgil wasn't the killer. He joked about Virgil's name. Virgil was dressed very nicely with tie and suit. His demeanor was very calm and controlled. But being a law enforcement officer he has to take things to its conclusion since Virgil was brought in. Side note...got to love those yellow glasses.
Gillespie joking about the name Virgil reminded me that here in southern Illinois where the movie was filmed back in 1967 a very high profile basketball and football coach was named Virgil. Not a name that was joked about.
I took the chief's reaction to the name Virgil, was one of assuming that Tibbs was gay, and passive. Ironic, given that Steiger was bisexual in real life.
The greatness of this film doesn't hesitate. The theme song, the night lights of the dark Southern city and sharpening clarity of the GMO livery badge on the train engine.
All this setup immediately takes the audience to the deserted waiting room alongside Virgil Tibbs. From that point on the film moves quickly through the various characters in the sweltering Southern night and days. So hot I'll bet the soft drink concession was popular during those shows.
It's a great damn movie even when I was Little it would a great movie
Got half way through this so-called analysis. 5 minutes of my life I will never get back.
I hope you spent the time to watch the movie. It did not get 5 Academy Awards by accident.
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Sorry just a correction there.Tibbs wasn't sent there to investigate the murder he was visiting his Mother.Magnetic performances by both actors throughout the film. Love it! They just don't make films like this nowadays. 😉
Let's be honest here...there is no audience today that would even have the capability to get engrossed with this fine movie...ya see, today the average moviegoer, wants to see an extension of his favorite video game, complete with CG animation. Short attention span explains everything here.
One of the hosts says he was sent to small southern town. He did not get sent there. He was waiting to catch a train and was brought in as a murderer suspect.
He wasn't "sent" to the small town! He was there to catch the 4:05 a.m. train. Stayed to help in the investigation.
My four white millenial kids grew up on music, books, film, sports and faith, not computer games, so they're different (thankfully!) They are fascinated by the race interplay in this movie and Guess Who's coming to dinner, both Poitier made in the SAME YEAR!! As sheriff Gillespie would say, OH YEAAAAAH!
have them watch Lilies of The Field ua-cam.com/video/kH1d9i6-9L8/v-deo.html
There was only one point in the whole film where Steiger reverts to his regular voice and personality which is the scene in his apartment alone with Portier toward the end where he reflects on how the town "doesn't want him as police chief" and how lonely he is and then resents Portier's reaction which is hard to understand
He could not allow a Black man to comfort him in any way..Steiger knew his role very well, and the resulting awkwardness of that scene was powerful, in a pathetic way.
IMHO the best scene in this film takes place in Gillespie’s living room. Both cops are reflecting on their lives. The emptiness, loneliness of their calling. Brilliant.
Sidney pottier
All his flims Sidney high lights his messages about being black
Back then ❤
They don't get it. Mr. Tibbs acted subservient because he knew he could get shot or beaten up if he didn't. According to the book, he did not even have the outburst of annoyance when he said "I'm a police officer." Too dangerous. And the Sheriff did shake Virgil's hand once, to prove his appreciation; he considered shaking it a second time later, but figured that once was enough; no point in overdoing it. They did not actually become friends as in the movie, but they were able to work together to solve the crime.
The dramatic pauses are worth more than the dialogue exchanges. IMO
Where did you EARN IT?
"Philadelphia'.
Mississippi?
PennsylVANIA.
The speech rhythms alone!
Completely different subject, but '"Slingblade" has some great rhythms like this also.
Somtimes it is the same when playing a musical instrument.
The guy on the left has has facts wrong: He says Poitier has gone south to investigate a murder. In the movie, he tells Gillespy, he was visiting his mother. The murder happened to occur when he was visiting. jeeeze.... Why pose as experts when you don't know your subject?
I caught that right away and haven't seen the film for many a year.
Remember when Hollywood created amazing films and we didn't have a clue about the performer's personal beliefs.
Maybe it's me but did these guys look at the same movie as us? Tibbs was passing through waiting for his train. He wasn't sent to help. For a minute he was looked at for a suspect
This is the suspension we face, all the time.
Plus this scene demonstrates what we were told and passed down, about keeping cool when we are stopped and approached by police officers. Some how, after the crack era we stopped passing it down.
Tibbs was visitingvhis mother in Brownsville and caught the train heading home with change/stopover in Sparta. Sam happened upon Tibbs at the train station
Small correction: Sidney Poitier’s character wasn’t “sent” to Sparta, Mississippi to solve a murder, he was passing through.
Not "sent down" to investigate a murder was there to "visit my mother" you totally missed one of the most important lines of the movie. Did you watch it.
1.44 to 2.11 is enough to award the Oscar to Steiger. He was that good.
Just wanna say: I have the same reaction on gum and when you got uneasy about it, I felt the same way. It’s a neurological disorder called misophonia and there’s no cure, currently. Hate to be the bearer of bad news but I feel you
Awesome thanks.
That's not necessarily being scared, it's being smart!!
Thank you chaps ! Great choice . Rod Steiger could stray into ' ham ' territory
and often did . But when was good he was GOOD !
Dude, when you're in a critique of a 56 year old dramatic gold standard movie, you should never say "I'm trying not to give too much away here...". We're listening for you to give it all away. It's why we clicked.
That "oh, yeah" at 5:15. Damn, this is cinematic excellence.
Ghee, thanks for telling us that was a great scene in movie history you dorks. Don't be silly.
Glad to hear Sidney Poitier was pro 2nd Amendment.
You both are watching a movie, when a person of color watches this scene we are holding our breath. When you are standing in front of a cop after being dragged away from whatever you were doing (waiting for a train) you're taught from experience not to talk or move until you're asked. If you notice Sydney doesn't move from where the deputy puts him until his identity is finally allowed to be known. Even then he could still lose life due to the ignorance of his captors.
When watching a movie of this caliber it's very hard to see the characters and not the actors playing the characters. That's what i love abt this era of movies .
My favorite line and scene as a man of color is when Virgil is seen thru the eyes of the sheriff and eventually his own eyes that he can be and is prejudice against the plantation owner.
When you think you're morally above your overseers you. no longer can see your flaws. Which is what is happening today (BLM)
What I disagree with here is re the acting. I saw the characters not the actors. Tour de force
He was not sent to the town to investigate the Murder. He was on the train going home from visiting his Mother going back to Philadelphia. He was on a lay over at the train station in Sparta waiting for the next train when one of the Deputies pick him up under suspicion at the Train station.
Just to add a bit of spice to the commentary; the location shots were filmed in Sparta, Illinois. A very rural town in the southern part of the state that could certainly be taken for Deep South. (I got my MS at Southern Illinois U Carbondale, and worked for the uni for 14 years thereafter. If you wanted to avoid the Deep South but still get the look, this was a great choice.)
Not to be picky however the host stated that Poitier "was sent to a small southern town to investigate a murder". In fact, he was in town visiting his mother when he was picked up as a potential suspect in a murder.
Mr. Tibbs was not sent there.. wrong.. He was there visiting his mother..
right! i love the scene and have watched it over and over again. but the scene doesn't make sense from Virgil's point of view.
he could have been murdered at any moment by some trigger-cop, so i don't think he was delaying his identity for some dramatic
moment to 'spring it' on them. right at the beginning, why not come right out with it--"just look in my jacket. i'm a police officer."
... GREAT VIDEO ...
Tibbs doesn't "get sent to a small Southern town to investigate a murder". He is there en route from seeing his mother, and he battles his motivation to help the local police as encouraged by his boss up North. A small point, but it lies at the early crux of the film. Please get these small things correct!
How can you have more than one episode of the greatest scene ever?
🤔
Mister Tibbs could well be calculating his risk of revealing too much might get him killed and buried. It was the fact that the sheriff was even willing to ask where he got the money, that indicated the sheriff was concerned with building a case, not in finding a Whipping Boy. Then Mister Tibbs realized it was not a high-risk proposition to reveal early that he was a cop rather than wait till his situation became more public, and therefore no longer politic to be disappeared , which might take days
My personal favorite scene is with Sidney and Beah Richards as Mama Caleba the abortionist. The energy is off the charts. As for this scene it all climaxes with the word ....officer at the end.
Wow, on background story😮 Love this 🎬.. Are there notes on how many times "slide" out of store took? 4:23 4:23 ..Did Poitier do it or stunt?
Interesting points! Obviously the usage of the N word in this film was to reveal how many people in the South are conditioned to dislike other races from the time they were children.
The police chief's character is interesting in the sense that as the movie progresses you get the impression that he likes Virgil and is persistent in protecting him from racists and in a few scenes outright defending him.
The ending is telling when Virgil is boarding the train and the police chief says..."Virgil?..."You take care now...ya hear?"...Which reveals that he respects Virgil and personally likes him and perhaps the racism he grew up with is unfair and unjust...and that people are people.....and the way he smiles at Virgil is loving and considerate...and that he accepts him as a human being.
Virgil wasn't sent to investigate a murder, he was visiting his mother when he got arrested. Slight slip up guys
I find Wood's facial expressions of interest - they are very changeable.
When will they EVER HAVE FULL EPISODES of this series on here I've bn looking for 3 yrs now
I know this is an old video, but the professor on the left is wrong. Sidney Portier's character, Mr. Tibbs a Philadelphia homicide detective, WAS NOT sent to assist in a murder investigation. He was in the town of Sparta to visit his mother and then by being black was caught up in the murder. Accuracy matters, especially when teaching others on a particular subject.
Haven't seen this Episode but hope to watch them all Episodes soon
So there’s more than one episode of the greatest scene ever !
The greatest scene is when the two of them are at Steigers house.
Poirier and Steiger....2 if the very best of all time
Along with films like Lillies of the Field and To Sir With Love, this film was banned in apartheid South Africa.
Great direction (a small example) at 2:35 the train whistle blows and both of them look at the same place, the clock on the wall. A lesser director would have shown us a shot of the clock but Lumet doesn't want to leave these two faces for the whole scene.
The best scene is easily the scene in Steiger's apartment where they bond over loneliness
no, he wasn't sent to investigate. He was arrested while passing thru. Having got that completely wrong now you're gonna analyze? bye.
These guys should call the channel "Re-Stating The Apparent."
"The movie takes place in the context of the Civil Rights Movement?"
"Really?" "You don't say."
And it's got nothing to do with white police treatment of black citizens.
I look forward to a time when people don't understand the tension in this scene.
Great scene, loved it, but I don't know if this tge best scene. For me the best part is when Endicott slaps Tibbs and Tibbs slaps him back! This is IMHO is the best scene for me.
I used to teach medical students in Oxford to understand silence