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In the Heat of the Night (1967)
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Overview
User Rating:
Your Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
14 October 1967 (Japan)
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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
Awards:
Won 5 Oscars.
Another 17 wins
&
12 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(30 articles)
'NCIS' Fan Columnist: Masquerade Review
(From BuddyTV. 3 February 2010, 5:11 AM, PST)
Kathryn Bigelow is first woman to win DGA award
(From The Guardian - Film News. 1 February 2010, 3:11 AM, PST)
(From BuddyTV. 3 February 2010, 5:11 AM, PST)
Kathryn Bigelow is first woman to win DGA award
(From The Guardian - Film News. 1 February 2010, 3:11 AM, PST)
User Reviews:
Once timely, now timeless
more (122 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Sidney Poitier | ... | Virgil Tibbs | |
| Rod Steiger | ... | Gillespie | |
| Warren Oates | ... | Sam Wood | |
| Lee Grant | ... | Mrs. Colbert | |
| Larry Gates | ... | Endicott | |
| James Patterson | ... | Mr. Purdy | |
| William Schallert | ... | Mayor Schubert | |
| Beah Richards | ... | Mama Caleba | |
| Peter Whitney | ... | Courtney | |
| Kermit Murdock | ... | Henderson | |
| Larry D. Mann | ... | Watkins | |
| Matt Clark | ... | Packy | |
| Arthur Malet | ... | Ulam | |
| Fred Stewart | ... | Dr. Stuart | |
| Quentin Dean | ... | Delores |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
109 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Sound)
Certification:
Australia:M |
South Africa:(Banned) |
Iceland:16 |
Canada:A (Nova Scotia) |
Brazil:12 |
South Africa:A (re-rating) |
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:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The scene that took place at the sheriff's house featured dialog that came out of improvisations between Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger.
more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: The police chase Harvey Oberst through the yellow leaves of an Autumn forest, clearly indicating it is not the middle of summer, as claimed in the movie.
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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
Ofcr. Sam Wood: Where you keeping the pie tonight?
Ralph Henshaw, diner counterman: I ate the last piece just before you came in.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Afro Promo (1997)
more
Soundtrack:
It Sure Is Groovy!
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FAQ
How did the osmundia branch figure into the killing?What was Gillespie chewing on throughout the whole film?
How was the final scene shot?
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more (122 total)
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One of the great films of the 60s, "In the Heat of the Night" hasn't aged a bit in the four decades since its release and now deserves to be ranked with the great films of all time. Beautifully atmospheric, Haskell Wexler's brilliant cinematography and Norman Jewison's first rate direction make you feel the humidity of the small Mississippi town in which a black detective teams with the redneck sheriff to solve the murder of an important industrialist.
As sheriff Bill Gillespie, Rod Steiger is superb in his Oscar winning role, and this film provides Sidney Poitier with some of his greatest screen moments, including his famous admonition to Steiger that became the title of the less impressive 1970 spin off: "They call me MISTER Tibbs!"
This is one of the few politically correct films to make its point without resorting to heavy-handed, sanctimonious preaching. Stirling Silliphant's Oscar winning screenplay never hits a false note, and the change that occurs in the relationship between the leading characters is subtle, and, therefore, believable. The two stars are ably supported by an outstanding cast of both veterans (Lee Grant, Warren Oates, Beah Richards) and newcomers (Scott Wilson, Quentin Dean, and the delightfully creepy Anthony James). The score by Quincy Jones, featuring Ray Charles' rendition of the title song, captures the proper mood throughout.
In a year when the odds-makers were predicting an Oscar victory for "Bonnie and Clyde" or "The Graduate," "In the Heat of the Night" surprised the prognosticators by taking the Best Picture prize and four other Oscars. Considering its theme of racial tolerance, it seemed an appropriate choice at an Oscar ceremony that was postponed following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. The film's theme made it timely, but its artistry makes it timeless.
The Academy made the right choice.
Brian W. Fairbanks