I can not really believe that this flick got a worse imdb rating than Detroit 9000. On contray to Detroit 9000 this movie as a solid story and the main character is actually capable of acting. Further it develops a plot, which in terms of style and dramatic art is quite close to a classical german Tatort, or at least what I suppose to be is Tatort-like.
The second part of Sidney Poitiers Trilogy about Detective Lieutenant Virgil Tibbs starts of with the actual crime scene. Murder of (of course) a prostitute. We as spectator are left guessing about the possible suspects all the way long. However the (for a change white) pimp landlord pictured above comes into play, making his moves, setting up some (red?) herrings. As it turns out Tibbs close friend Logan Sharpe, community activist and reverent, is a possible suspect. After some mêlée Tibbs got assigned to the case. Being a genuine and well trained detective Tibbs keeps his attention to the small details and nails the killer finally with an idiot prove and solid chain of evidence.
In parallel Tibbs has some trouble in his family life (this could be a potential Tatort analogy). Particularly his elder son is giving him a hard time, as this one turns out to be a no-good. Somking cigarettes at a tender age of ten, and having no ambitions in life. On the other hand Tibbs relation to his wife is put onto test, as their common friend Logan is somehow involved into the case.
After all the storyline builds up some classic crime drama tension and makes the film an enjoyable evening filler, however due to some explicit language for adults only.
Year: 1970
Imdb Rating: 6,0/10 (April 2015)
Superflicks Rating: solid 9,7/10
memorable quotes: none