They Call Me Mister Tibbs! Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "They Call Me MISTER Tibbs!" reveals a commendable effort to bring this 1970s film into high-definition with notable success. Shot by Gerald Perry Finnerman, best known for his work on television, the film's lighting and framing exhibit a distinctly TV-movie style. The 1080p AVC-encoded transfer from Kino Video is generally sharp, with well-defined details such as individual fabric seams and skin pores being clearly visible. However, the deliberate distortions in certain scenes, like the murder sequence, do affect the sharpness by design. The color palette is distinctive without becoming overly saturated, and black levels are maintained appropriately to produce strong shadow details, though minor crush issues are detectable.

While this 1.85:1 HD transfer boasts fantastic detail levels, it does show some signs of aging, including occasional nicks, specks, and fine scratches. These artifacts are infrequent enough to be overlooked by most viewers. Grain retention adds authenticity and texture to the image but reveals digital sharpening, suggesting that a slightly dated master might have been used. This sharpening introduces some banding in clothing with busy patterns and gives the grain a somewhat digital look, though not to the extent of creating edge halos. Additionally, the relatively modest average bitrate of 22.99 Mbps seems adequately matched to the material, allowing for an overall excellent viewing experience despite these minor drawbacks.

Overall, the video quality of this Blu-ray release is satisfying for a catalog title of its vintage. The dimensionality offered by strong black levels and shadow details enhances the viewing experience, notwithstanding slight image brightening that occasionally renders flesh tones too pale. While the age-related imperfections persist, they don't significantly detract from the high-resolution experience Kino has managed to deliver for this classic film.

The audio presentation of "They Call Me Mister Tibbs!" on Blu Ray delivers an impressive DTS-HD MA 2.0 track, effectively translating the film's original mono soundtrack into clear and well-balanced audio. This setup presents identical left and right tracks, ensuring consistency and cohesiveness. The dialogue is crisp and intelligible, a crucial element given the film's dialogue-heavy nature. Quincy Jones's riveting Seventies funk score is brought to life with remarkable energy, contrasting sharply with his bluesy compositions for "In the Heat of the Night." While the film lacks major action elements, such as large-scale set pieces, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 encoding is more than sufficient to handle the film’s sound requirements.

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 track ensures that every aspect of the film's audio is delivered with terrific clarity. Sound effects, dialogue, and Jones's iconic score are presented with ample space, enhancing each scene's realism and atmosphere. The audio predominantly stays within the midranges, as most scenes are dialogue-driven. However, during sequences such as the car chase and the late second act shootout, dynamic sound effects like gunshots and tire screeches are handled adeptly, maintaining control without overwhelming the listener. The robust bass tones in Quincy Jones's score, particularly the bass guitar sections, are a standout, adding depth and excitement to the auditory experience.

Overall, while a multi-channel mix might be preferable for some viewers, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 track of "They Call Me Mister Tibbs!" is more than capable of delivering a thoroughly engaging and authentic audio experience.

The Blu-ray release of "They Call Me Mister Tibbs!" offers a very limited selection of extras, with the primary focus being on theatrical trailers in varying quality formats. Although the disc's supplementary material is somewhat sparse, the included trailers effectively capture the essence of their respective films. The extras present are all high-definition for the main features and standard-definition for the sequel, "The Organization," ensuring that viewers can enjoy an authentic retro experience. The lack of additional behind-the-scenes content or interviews is a missed opportunity for deeper engagement with the film's production history and cultural impact.

Extras included in this disc:

• In the Heat of the Night Trailer: A classic movie gets a classic trailer.
• They Call Me Mister Tibbs! Trailer: A solid trailer that does a great job of setting up the movie.
• The Organization Trailer: A strange trailer, but one that does a great job setting up the fact that Tibbs is in well over his head in this entry.

"They Call Me Mister Tibbs!", a sequel to the acclaimed "In the Heat of the Night", struggles to capture the intensity and complexity of its predecessor, despite the return of Sidney Poitier as Virgil Tibbs. Positioned in San Francisco, the film involves Tibbs investigating the murder of a call girl while dealing with personal troubles at home. The setup promises a captivating crime drama but falls short due to sluggish pacing, unclear direction, and underdeveloped subplots. Poitier's performance remains charismatic, yet his presence fails to elevate an otherwise routine police procedural which lacks the vital socio-political commentary found in the original.

The plot revolves around Tibbs being assigned to investigate preacher and activist Logan Sharpe (Martin Landau), an old friend accused of murder. This friendship lacks depth, undermining the story's emotional impact. Supporting characters like Anthony Zerbe's Rice Weedon and Ed Asner's Woody Garfield offer little beyond superficial intrigue, hampered by unremarkable chase sequences and predictable red herrings. Additionally, the subplots involving Tibbs’ home life offer minimal narrative enhancement, coming off as thinly sketched distractions.

Ultimately, "They Call Me Mister Tibbs!" demonstrates that not all films require sequels. Its lack of cohesion and vitality results in a lackluster crime thriller that pales in comparison to its predecessor's brilliance. While Poitier commands the screen, the movie fails to utilize his talents effectively, rendering it a missed opportunity rather than a satisfying continuation of Tibbs' story.

"They Call Me Mister Tibbs!" on Blu-ray presents a mixed cinematic experience salvaged by a high-quality technical transfer. Despite the film's commendable story premise, the execution leaves much to be desired, resulting in a bland and unengaging narrative. Sidney Poitier attempts to bring depth to his character, Virgil Tibbs, with notable vigor, particularly in the film's concluding scenes. However, these moments of brilliance come too late to redeem an otherwise lackluster production. The film didn't resonate with all audiences initially, but for those who do appreciate it, this disc's superior picture and sound fidelity should prove gratifying.

The Blu-ray release from Kino Lorber is exceptional in its technical attributes. The video presentation is remarkably clean, preserving the film's 1970s aesthetic while enhancing clarity and color depth. The audio track complements the visual quality, offering a robust and immersive experience that is impressive for a title from this era. This care in the transfer process ensures that fans of the film can enjoy it in its best possible condition.

One year after "They Call Me MISTER Tibbs!", the Mirisch Corporation made another attempt with "The Organization," but it too met with poor reception. The character of Virgil Tibbs found greater success in a subsequent TV series from 1988 to 1994. While this Blu-ray release is a technically proficient offering for aficionados, newcomers might want to rent it first to ensure it aligns with their taste before committing to a purchase.