the reason why this movie isn not any good know and more appreciated to me seem because of it subject . because of it controversial subject this movie never get a proper big release and still remain a fairly unknown one to this very day . not that it subject be that controversial now anymore though . basically in essence it a movie about a white man befriend a black man . the friendship do not seem force or unrealistic but the way it get portray in this movie make it all feel very real . we see these different ethnic mingle in with each other and a if it just completely normal . unfortunately of course back in those day it really wasn not regard a anything normal . see a black man talk to a white girl and just have fun with her a a friend must have be an hard thing to watch for instance for some proportion of it 1957 audience . you can really understand why sidney poitier have always be and still be be respect so much by the hollywood society and the black community in general . of course it one of the reason why he also receive an honorary award at the oscar and in 2002. in his movie he often fight against discrimination and prejudiced issue and with of course in the heat of the night a the best example of this . a real role model and that certainly have inspire many afro american actor and to this very day . but on top of that and he also be a great actor . yes and he be still alive but he have pretty much retire completely from movie now it seem and since his last credited role be from 2001. this movie be martin ritt directorial debut and he also wasn not give too much movie to spend on his movie . the studio be probably also a bit reluctant mainly because of it concept and or or because it be ritt first movie . or perhaps it be simply due to the fact that mgm just wasn not that big anymore and it have leave it best day behind them . ever since the 50 on metro goldwyn mayer sort of have the reputation of make not too great and cheap movie and while in the early year before that it be really one of the big studio with lot of star and acclaim director attach to it and who make many award win classic movie . luckily for them their reputation be start to change again and whenever the mgm logo appear at a movie people be no longer expect a less movie anymore . anyway and even with it restrained budget and limited resource they manage to make a great movie out of this one . the movie be very simple and with only a few character and a simplistic plot in it . the movie however still manage to capture you with it story and subject and without ever start to become preachy or anything about it . it make the movie an effective one as well with it subject . really a movie that deserve to be see . positive .