In the Heat of the Night (1967)

Director:

Norman Jewison

Writers:

John Ball (novel)
Stirling Silliphant (writer)

Release Date:

26 February 1968 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Crime

Tagline:

They got a murder on their hands . . . they don't know what to do with it.

Plot:

An African American detective is asked to investigate a murder in a racist southern town.

Plot Keywords:

Racial Prejudice | Title Mentioned In Song | Cop | Odd Couple | Racist

Awards:

Won 5 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Sidney Poitier	...	Det. Virgil Tibbs
Rod Steiger	...	Police Chief Bill Gillespie
Warren Oates	...	Off. Sam Wood
Lee Grant	...	Mrs. Leslie Colbert
Larry Gates	...	Eric Endicott
James Patterson	...	Purdy (Delores' brother)
William Schallert	...	Mayor Webb Schubert
Beah Richards	...	Mama Caleba, aka Mrs. Bellamy
Peter Whitney	...	Off. George Courtney
Kermit Murdock	...	H.E. Henderson (banker)
Larry D. Mann	...	Watkins
Arthur Malet	...	Ted Ulam (mortician)
Fred Stewart	...	Dr. Stuart
Quentin Dean	...	Delores Purdy
Scott Wilson	...	Harvey Oberst (murder suspect)

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Brazil:12 | Iceland:16 | Australia:M | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | South Africa:(Banned) | Argentina:13 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 (1968) | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:12 | USA:Approved | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Belleville, Illinois, USA

Company:

Mirisch Corporation, The

Trivia:

The "Owl on the Prowl" song: According to Norman Jewison and Haskell Wexler on the DVD commentary, they originally wanted the song "Hey There Little Red Ridin' Hood" by 'Sam the Sham and The Pharoahs' , which is what was actually playing in that scene and what the character Ralph Henshaw (Anthony James) is dancing to. Apparently, Sam the Sham wanted too much money for use of the song and it was probably Quincy Jones who came up with the new song and Glenn Campbell is singing.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: When all three men, Virgil, Sam, and Police Chief Bill go into the diner, we see Virgil's breath. Although the film is set in warm, humid Mississippi, it was filmed in chillier Illinois.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Ofcr. Sam Wood: Where you keeping the pie tonight?
Ralph Henshaw, diner counterman: I ate the last piece just before you came in.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "SexTV: Shafted: The Story of Blaxploitation Cinema (#8.18)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Foul owl

A True Landmark Film

1967 was a turbulent year in the U S. Civil rights marches and demonstrations, anti-war rallies, the summer of love,psychedelic music and backlash against the previously noted, 1967 had it all. And this great movie came out, about a small Mississippi town embroiled in a steaming hot summer and a sizzling murder case. The movie diverges from the book on many aspects, mostly for the better. This is a serious look at a nation and a community in turmoil. The acting is first rate, from Sidney Poitier (one of the greatest American actors of this generation, regardless of race), Rod Steiger, Lee Grant, Warren Oates and the whole passel of townsfolk. The plot has been well outlined in previous posts, so I won't belabor it. My favorite scene is when Virgil examines the deceased, looking for clues in discoloration, type of wound, etc., while the sheriff looks on with his jaw practically on the floor in amazement. You can plainly see that he wanted to pin the crime on a hitch-hiker or one of the town's less desirable inhabitants. While some may see the film as preachy or presenting Virgil as a superior to the hicks, seen in the context of its time, it really tells a lot about race relations of the time. The movie is well filmed with lots of atmospheric detail of the time and region (even though it was filmed in Illinois, some areas of Illinois and Indiana were very Southern in their feel and outlook). Great acting, a good mystery, fine cinematography and an important theme make this a must-see movie. 10 stars.