Good column. Really good movie. I loved it as a teenager, but saw it again recently and was surprised by how well it holds up.

I think another thing that saves this from being a typical message movie is that Endicott has nothing to do with the murder. It has nothing to do with race. It's actually a small, petty crime, and (as you point out) Tibbs desire to make a statement is thwarted by the truth. This is also true, of course, of the filmmakers: they chose truth over message, which is rare.

Another "liberal message movie" that is stirring (rather than preachy) is the great NORMA RAE.

Yes, I think a great many people learned from these movies how terribly unfair it is to disrespect and deny opportunities to black men who are as intelligent, skilled, conscientious and helpful as the characters Sidney Portier played.