In the Heat of the Night
United States • 1967 • 1h 49m
Director
#959Criterion Collection →Synopsis
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.
Synopsis
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.
Credits
Crew
DirectorNorman Jewison
WriterStirling Silliphant
CinematographerHaskell Wexler
ComposerQuincy Jones
EditorHal Ashby
ProducerWalter Mirisch
Cast
Sidney Poitieras Virgil Tibbs
Rod Steigeras Police Chief Bill Gillespie
Warren Oatesas Deputy Sam Wood
Peter Whitneyas Deputy Courtney