In The Heat Of The Night Analysis

In the Heat of the Night, directed by Norman Jewison, portrays what it is like for an African American male to visit a racially aggressive southern town. This was a controversial film for the time period, due to way an African American male is treated. Virgil Tibbs, the protagonist in the film, is treated with disrespect only due to his skin color; parts of society in the film does not give him a chance to prove he is worthy of helping their cause. This film significantly depicts how society felt about the civil rights movement; some were willing to accept change while others were appalled by the idea of it.
In the Heat of the Night, follows Virgil Tibbs and his quest to solve a murder while working in a racially tense town in southern Alabama.

Tibbs is originally accused of a murder, due to his skin color and his lack of being questioned. Once the police of chief figured out Tibbs position he wanted his help, but at the same time he was weary of hiring a black man. Virgil was crucial to the investigation, so soon he was hired onto the police station temporarily. Everyone is hesitant of having him investigate the crime, and multiple people question his authority. Virgil Tibbs is discriminated throughout the film by multiple groups of people; he faces getting hit, refusal to get served, and even ignorance to his knowledge. Towards the end of the film, he becomes more accepted by a few members in society, the victim’s wife and even the police chief himself.
The 1960s, also the time of the civil rights movement, was reflected through the protagonist, the antagonists, and the town in the film.

During the movement, many people were against it, but there also were parts of society that were for it. The setting of a town was southern Alabama, where it was uncommon to see African Americans outside of the fields. The majority of the town was racially tense towards African Americans. During the film, Virgil faced many hardships, from his job title, to the way he was dressed, the town was willing to judge him on anything due to his skin color. When Virgil first arrives the town assumes he is uneducated, undeserving of nice clothes, and even stole money, all due to his skin color. Also, due to the fact that the chief of police is associating with Virgil, he gets backlash for hanging out with an African American. The chief eventually befriends Virgil and defends him as well. The civil rights movement gave more rights to African Americans, but they were still oppressed, just like the way Virgil was by certain members of the town. The most shocking moment was when a white male, Mr. Endicott, decided to hit Virgil Tibbs and Virgil hit him back. Mr. Endicott was furious that he was hit by an African American and wanted the chief of police to do something about it, but he ignored what

happened.
During the course of the film, I was able to learn more about the civil rights movement and the hardships that African Americans had to deal with daily. Even though African Americans had certain rights they often were still looked at from a degrading angle. This film significantly depicts how society felt about the civil rights movement; some were willing to accept change while others were appalled by the idea of it.