In the Heat of the Night

1967 "They got a murder on their hands. They don’t know what to do with it."

In the Heat of the Night

7.9 | 1h49m | PG-13 | en | Drama

African-American Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs is arrested on suspicion of murder by Bill Gillespie, the racist police chief of tiny Sparta, Mississippi. After Tibbs proves not only his own innocence but that of another man, he joins forces with Gillespie to track down the real killer. Their investigation takes them through every social level of the town, with Tibbs making enemies as well as unlikely friends as he hunts for the truth.

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7.9 | 1h49m | PG-13 | en | Drama , Thriller , Crime | More Info

Released: August. 02,1967 | Released Producted By: United Artists , The Mirisch Company Country: United States of America Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website:

Synopsis

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Cast

Sidney Poitier , Rod Steiger , Warren Oates

Director

Paul Groesse

Producted By

United Artists , The Mirisch Company

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Trailers & Images

Cast

Sidney Poitier

as Virgil Tibbs

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Rod Steiger

as Police Chief Bill Gillespie

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Warren Oates

as Deputy Sam Wood

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Reviews

MikeNTxs SPOILER: While this film is typically regarded as a great film about changing race relations during the 1960s, it is never considered a "Pro-Choice" film. Looked at in that way, it's worth considering that all the consequential action in the story - the murder, Tibbs being Shanghaied off the train by Gillespie, the racist assaults and epithets and even the final solving of the crime - all come back to one 16-year-old girl needing an abortion, and no legal, private, confidential abortion service being available for her. Had abortion been legal in Mississippi in 1967, there would have been no murder, no robbery, no Tibbs-Gillespie drama, and no story.

kobisims Personally, This movie wasn't one of my favorites. It wasn't my kind of movie but for the 60's the acting was good and it had a good story line. This movie also touched up on racism in the 60's as well in parts of the movie you can see how Virgil is treat in Mississippi during this time. One of my favorite parts of the movie was when they went to the plantation owner and Virgil slapped him. Overall this movie was good for it's time but I wouldn't watch it again.

sir-mauri There isn't much more you can say about this film other than the fact that it is almost brilliant in every way from the performances by Poitier and Steiger. To the screenplay to the director for letting his cast perform and not try to do some overly produced film. To even the score. Especially when they are chasing the guy along the bridge. Absolutely brilliant guess that's why it got a Best Sound nomination. But I think it also deserved a score nomination as well. and don't forget the soundtrack especially Boomer & Travis's song " Foul Owl On The Prowl" it's gonna stuck in my head for a long long time. A damn near perfect film in almost every sense. And even though I have seen it many times it still gets a reaction out of me when Poitier slaps that guy. Masterful film 9/10.

TheLittleSongbird 'In the Heat of the Night' was the winner of five Oscars with Norman Jewison for Best Director and the sound editing also receiving nominations, all richly deserved, especially the Best Picture and Best Actor.Although the Best Picture was a strong one, apart from 'Doctor Doolittle', 'In the Heat of the Night' this reviewer finds the best of the five and also one of the greatest films of the 60s.Visually, 'In the Heat of the Night' is an incredibly well-made film with cinematography that's both beautiful and gritty. It is immaculately directed also by Norman Jewison, who directed several other great films, and film and sound editing are also very good, fluid with a suitable unpleasantness which suits the atmosphere well and thrillingly authentic. Quincy Jones' soundtrack at least fits and evokes some good atmosphere, the title song sung by Ray Charles is a classic.The script is incredibly thought-provoking with the racial tension tensely and vividly drawn, never resorting to heavy-handedness or talking at you, something that films with heavy subjects don't always achieve. The "they call me Mr Tibbs" line is iconic. The story is a gripping powerhouse and very ahead of and daring for its time with tremendous power, edge and emotion.Characters are compelling, and the acting couldn't have been better. Rod Steiger has never been better as the bigoted police chief, and Sidney Poitier matches him every step of the way in a subtler and no less powerful performance. Warren Oates and Anthony James stand out in the uniformly strong supporting cast.Overall, fantastic film and one of the greatest films of its decade. 10/10 Bethany Cox