IMDb > In the Heat of the Night (1967)
In the Heat of the Night
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

In the Heat of the Night (1967) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 23 | slideshow) Videos (see all 6)
In the Heat of the Night (1967) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
8.1/10   20,883 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Stirling Silliphant (screenplay)
John Ball (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for In the Heat of the Night on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 October 1967 (Japan) more
Genre:
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 more
NewsDesk:
(20 articles)
Bad Boys Grow Up
 (From IFC. 17 November 2009, 6:00 AM, PST)

Tom Hanks, Annette Bening, Warren Beatty: Governors Awards 2009
 (From Alternative Film Guide. 15 November 2009, 4:45 PM, PST)

User Comments:
The essence of modern-day film noir more (120 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

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
Scott Wilson ... Harvey Oberst
Timothy Scott ... Shagbag
William Watson ... McNeil (as William C. Watson)
Eldon Quick ... Charles Hawthorne
Stuart Nisbet ... Shuie
Khalil Bezaleel ... Jess
Peter Masterson ... Fryer
Jester Hairston ... Butler
Phil Adams ... 1st Tough
Nikita Knatz ... 2nd Tough
Sammy Reese ... Clerk (as Sam Reese)
Anthony James ... Ralph
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Buzz Barton ... Conductor (uncredited)
Philip Garris ... Engineer (uncredited)
Clegg Hoyt ... Deputy (uncredited)
Warren Kenner ... Undetermined Role (uncredited)
Michael LeGlaire ... City Councilman (uncredited)
Alan Oppenheimer ... Ted Appleton (uncredited)
David Stinehart ... Baggage Master (uncredited)
Jack Teter ... Philip Colbert - Murder Victim (uncredited)
Create a character page for: ?

Directed by
Norman Jewison 
 
Writing credits
Stirling Silliphant (screenplay)

John Ball (novel)

Produced by
Walter Mirisch .... producer
 
Original Music by
Quincy Jones (music by)
 
Cinematography by
Haskell Wexler 
 
Film Editing by
Hal Ashby 
 
Casting by
Lynn Stalmaster 
 
Art Direction by
Paul Groesse 
 
Set Decoration by
Robert Priestley 
 
Costume Design by
Alan Levine (uncredited)
 
Makeup Department
Del Armstrong .... make-up
 
Production Management
Jim Henderling .... production manager (as James E. Henderling)
Howard Joslin .... unit production manager (as J. Howard Joslin)
Allen K. Wood .... production supervisor
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Newt Arnold .... second assistant director (as Newton Arnold)
Terry Morse Jr. .... first assistant director
 
Art Department
Stephen R. Ferry .... property
Joseph Musso .... production illustrator (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Walter Goss .... sound
Clem Portman .... re-recordist
James Richard .... sound editor
Kevin F. Cleary .... sound (uncredited)
Charles Cooper .... sound (uncredited)
 
Stunts
John Moio .... stunts (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Ralph Gerling .... camera operator (uncredited)
Ross A. Maehl .... gaffer (uncredited)
Morris Rosen .... key grip (uncredited)
Don Stott .... gaffer (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Alan Levine .... costumer: men
 
Editorial Department
Byron 'Buzz' Brandt .... assistant film editor (as Byron Brandt)
 
Music Department
Alan Bergman .... song lyrics (as Alan)
Marilyn Bergman .... song lyrics
Richard Carruth .... music editor
 
Other crew
Hal Ashby .... assistant to producer
Murray Naidich .... titles
Meta Rebner .... script supervisor
Wayne Fitzgerald .... title designer (uncredited)
 
Crew verified as complete


Production CompaniesDistributors
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
109 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Sound)
Filming Locations:

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. 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
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
In the Heat of the Night more

FAQ

What was Gillespie chewing on throughout the whole film?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
Where was "In the Heat of the Night" filmed?
more
10 out of 14 people found the following comment useful.
The essence of modern-day film noir, 4 May 2006
10/10
Author: robb_772 from United States

One of the best films of all time, a Best Picture Oscar winner, and a highly deserved one at that. After reading a plot summary, it would be easy for someone to classify Norman Jewison's IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT as a simple buddy-cop movie, but it is so much more - this is film-making at it's finest. An absolutely merciless mystery, NIGHT contains some incredibly intense scenes that might make some viewers uncomfortable (the garage confrontation comes immediately to mind).

The film is expertly put together, with the feel of heady film noir. The performances are first rate: both Poitier and Rod Steiger were nominated for Best Actor, with the Oscar actually going home to Steiger (the film won four other Oscars as well). The Poitier-Steiger pairing is one of the most potent in film history, and their slowly growing friendship is one of the most touching. is a glowing example of what happens when an excellent cast, director, and screenplay combine to make an exceptional film.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (120 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for In the Heat of the Night (1967)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
'Fooooul owl on the prowl!' + other funny scenes... firebringer700
'Ya dig?' / 'I don't neeed it' rogueforte
In the Heat Of The Night ross-noble
Race Tension Misdirection Vader999
Courtney and his brother ranier
'I was visiting my mother.' (serious flaw?) Mononoke-hime
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Liberation of L.B. Jones Intruder in the Dust They Won't Forget ...tick... tick... tick... Gone with the Wind
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.