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IMDb > In the Heat of the Night (1967)
In the Heat of the Night
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In the Heat of the Night (1967)

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User Rating: 8.1/10 (15,791 votes)
Photos (see all 23 | slideshow)
IMDb Coverage of Comic-Con 2008

Overview

Director:
Norman Jewison
Writers:
John Ball (novel)
Stirling Silliphant (writer)
Release Date:
26 February 1968 (Sweden) more
Genre:
Drama | Mystery | Crime more
Tagline:
They got a murder on their hands . . . they don't know what to do with it. more
Plot:
An African American detective is asked to investigate a murder in a racist southern town. full summary | full synopsis (warning! may contain spoilers)
Awards:
Won 5 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 12 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Poitier Pays Tribute To Hogan's Heroes Star Dixon (From WENN. 19 March 2008, 5:12 AM, PDT)
Hollywood Pays Tribute to Steiger (From WENN. 11 July 2002)
User Comments:
A True Landmark Film more

Cast

 (Cast overview, first billed only)

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)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
109 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Filming Locations:
Belleville, Illinois, USA more
MOVIEmeter: ?
^ 7% since last week why?

Fun Stuff

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. more
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. more
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.
more
Soundtrack:
Foul owl more

FAQ

A NOTE REGARDING SPOILERS
Is this movie based on a novel?
Why was Colbert killed?
more
13 out of 17 people found the following comment useful:-
A True Landmark Film, 22 February 2006
10/10
Author: waynec50 from United States

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.

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Message Boards

Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for In the Heat of the Night (1967)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
What did that look mean ?? Goose-62
Delores cracking up in her first scene... silentfrwy
One of the thugs who chases Tibbs... JimD1701
Did anyone else think the killer was too obvious? Bandshell
Belleville? Apple Scruff
Did anyone else... Bandshell
more

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