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In the Heat of the Night (1967)

109 min  -  Crime | Drama | Mystery  -   14 October 1967 (Japan)
8.0
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Ratings: 8.0/10 from 32,219 users  
Reviews: 141 user | 54 critic

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

Director:

Norman Jewison

Writers:

Stirling Silliphant (screenplay), John Ball (based on a novel by)
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Title: In the Heat of the Night (1967)

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Top 250 #248 | Won 5 Oscars. Another 17 wins & 12 nominations See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sidney Poitier Sidney Poitier ...
Rod Steiger Rod Steiger ...
Warren Oates Warren Oates ...
Lee Grant Lee Grant ...
Mrs. Colbert
Larry Gates Larry Gates ...
Endicott
James Patterson James Patterson ...
Mr. Purdy
William Schallert William Schallert ...
Mayor Schubert
Beah Richards Beah Richards ...
Mama Caleba
Peter Whitney Peter Whitney ...
Courtney
Kermit Murdock Kermit Murdock ...
Henderson
Larry D. Mann Larry D. Mann ...
Watkins
Matt Clark Matt Clark ...
Packy
Arthur Malet Arthur Malet ...
Ulam
Fred Stewart Fred Stewart ...
Dr. Stuart
Quentin Dean Quentin Dean ...
Delores
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Storyline

Detective Virgil Tibbs is caught up in the racial tension of the US South when he is arrested after the murder of a prominent businessman. Tibbs was simply waiting for his next train at the station in Sparta, Mississippi and the confusion is soon resolved but when local police chief Gillespie learns that Tibbs is the Philadelphia PD's number one homicide expert, he reluctantly asks for his assistance. The murdered man, Mr. Colbert, had come to Sparta from the North to build a new factory and his wife and business associates immediately point the finger at Endicott, the most powerful man in the county and the one who had the most to lose if a major new employer comes to the area. Tibbs' life is clearly in danger but he perseveres in a highly charged and racially explosive environment until the killer is found. Written by garykmcd  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Homicide | Murder | Racist | Police Chief  | See more »

Taglines:

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

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(Japan) See more »

Also Known As:

Al calor de la noche See more »

Filming Locations:

Belleville, Illinois, USA See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)
See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mirisch Corporation, The See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Sound)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Sidney Poitier insisted that the movie be filmed in the north because an incident in which he and Harry Belafonte were almost killed by Ku Klux Klansman during a visit to Mississippi. Hence the selection of Sparta, Illinois for the location filming. Nevertheless, the filmmakers and actors did venture briefly into Tennessee for the outdoor scenes at the cotton plantation, because there was no similar cotton plantation in Illinois that could be used. Poitier slept with a gun under his pillow during production in Tennessee. Poitier did receive threats from local racist thugs so the shoot was cut short and production returned to Illinois. See more »

Goofs

Plot holes: It's suppose to be set during a very hot summer, yet the main characters (played by Lee Grant and Rod Steiger) are walking around in a coat and a jacket. See 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.
See more »

Connections

Featured in The 80th Annual Academy Awards (2008) See more »

Soundtracks

"It Sure Is Groovy!"
(uncredited)
Music by Quincy Jones
Lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman
Performed by Gil Bernal See more »