Sometimes I have a problem getting into older films, but with “In the Heat of the Night,” I didn't have that issue for a second. The movie is captivating from start to finish, visually varied, and extremely atmospheric. Furthermore, both Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger in the leading roles deliver powerful performances.

The script is also clever, and it was certainly a particularly difficult task not to write the obviously racist characters in the small town in Mississippi in a completely one-dimensional way. Instead, a rapport develops between Poitiers and Steiger's characters that never seems implausible, and the character development remains comprehensible. Meanwhile, the crime plot may only play a minor role, but it is still effective in driving the story forward.

Overall, I strongly recommend "In the Heat of the Night," even to those who aren't usually interested in older films. I, for one, was pleasantly surprised.