Reviewing 'The Slap' In The Heat of The Night.

Review by consensus

https://youtu.be/2UrB8TI5El4?si=GyM2K-u86kU5-F3Z

The timing and quickness of the second resounding slap is impeccable. Electrifying.

Mr. Tibbs simply reacts, affirming his equality without hesitation: You slap me; I slap you. We are equals.

Affirming Poitier’s character's humanity. He reacted the way most human beings would when physically attacked.

Inspirational.

Mr. Endicott just didn’t like being questioned by him. And Sidney’s response to the slap dared Gillespie with his eyes to say one word.

It’s a statement of awakening!

“You’re just like the rest of us.”

An empowering pivotal moment.

It isn't just the slap. It's the "and what about it?" look afterwards that drives it home. A look of righteous indignation that Sidney Poitier was capable of.

They were unwritten cultural rules that required strict separation of the races. A black man was not welcome to touch a white man, much less slap him back. He got what he gave.

The slap said a lot more than words could say.

I recall my mum telling me how the theatre went wild when he slapped him back!

And who saw it coming.?

Surely not Southern Audiences in 1968!

"There was a time when I could have had you shot". That's right: WAS a time and it's over.

“Did you see what he just did?”

“I saw it.”

“Well, what are you going to do about it?”

“I don’t know.”

Steiger's chewing gum adds so much to his character like he’s chewing over everything he sees happening.

Racists are like this in real life. Cowardly, weak, and fragile.

If you are big enough to give a slap, be big enough to receive one!

Racism is still rife, worse inclusion doesn’t happen

I remember the phrase ‘They call me Mr Tibbs’ when the Sheriff asked him, ‘What is your name BOY?’

Poitier always portrayed his characters with great dignity, showing them the best examples of his race, the human race. He never wanted to be the token black actor. He wanted to be an actor. No tokenism here.

The original script did not have the return slap.

Fantastic movie. Outstanding gifted performances by Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger.