perhaps the least known poitier work and certainly of the period while at date of write only nine imdb member have vote on this film . this be just over 1 % of the vote attain by it initial prequel and the superb in the heat of the night . between the two be the awful yet lovable they call me mister tibbs . which take the virgil tibbs franchise on a downward slope . those that do get to see this movie on it rare t. v. rescreenings and decide to give it a go after the disappointing tibbs will be justly reward . essentially and the production team be the same a the previous film and though gil melle provide a jazz orientate score instead of quincy jone adequate but inappropriate theme . the domesticity be also play down and with alan r. trustman absent a co writer and james r. webb take full control of the screenplay . most importantly and though and be don medford a the well above average director . apart from a rather crude edit where a car accident occur in the second half of the picture and the scene be meld together seamlessly and flow together exceptionally well . poitier reprise the role of tibbs and an arrogant and aloof and bad temper and authoritarian and bigoted lieutenant . a a result and this be probably the most appealing of all sidney character and and he slip back into the role effortlessly . with no star names to support him and such a rod steiger or martin landau ( though raul julia do become a star later in life ) and sidney stand way above his peer . his ability to project a bad atmosphere every time he walk into a room be flawless . this time he be not let down by the plot and either and which see tibbs caught between the police department and a vigilante gang that seek to expose a wide net of heroin dealer . the plot take on many shift in loyalty and focus and keep the attention and while a chase through underground tunnel lend the requisite chase an extra air of tension . the racial motif be again absent and though a rival black cop play by bernie hamilton give off a frisson of resentment . while predictably not of the calibre of in heat of the night and the organization stand a the great of sidney seventy vehicle .