In the Heat of the Night(1967)
“They got a murder on their hands. They don’t know what to do with it.”
Overview
African-American Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs is arrested on suspicion of murder by Bill Gillespie, the racist police chief of tiny Sparta, Mississippi. After Tibbs proves not only his own innocence but that of another man, he joins forces with Gillespie to track down the real killer. Their investigation takes them through every social level of the town, with Tibbs making enemies as well as unlikely friends as he hunts for the truth.
Director
Norman Jewison
Studio
United Artists
Budget
$2M
Revenue
$27M
Cast
Sidney Poitier
as Virgil Tibbs
Rod Steiger
as Police Chief Bill Gillespie
Warren Oates
as Deputy Sam Wood
Peter Whitney
as Deputy Courtney
Lee Grant
as Mrs. Leslie Colbert
Anthony James
as Ralph
William Schallert
as Mayor Schubert
Scott Wilson
as Harvey Oberst
Larry Gates
as Eric Endicott
James Patterson
as Mr. Purdy
Quentin Dean
as Delores Purdy
Kermit Murdock
as Henderson
Where to Watch
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Movie Facts
Release Year
1967
Runtime
1h 49m
Language
English
Rating
7.7 / 10
Budget
$2M
Box Office
$27M
Production Companies
United Artists • The Mirisch Company
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch In the Heat of the Night?▼
Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for In the Heat of the Night (1967).
What is In the Heat of the Night about?▼
African-American Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs is arrested on suspicion of murder by Bill Gillespie, the racist police chief of tiny Sparta, Mississippi. After Tibbs proves not only his own innocence but that of another man, he joins forces with Gillespie to track down the real killer. Their investigation takes them through every social level of the town, with Tibbs making enemies as well as unlikely friends as he hunts for the truth.
Who directed In the Heat of the Night?▼
In the Heat of the Night was directed by Norman Jewison and released in 1967. It is a crime, drama, mystery, thriller film.
How long is In the Heat of the Night?▼
In the Heat of the Night has a runtime of 1 hours and 49 minutes (109 minutes total).
Who stars in In the Heat of the Night?▼
The cast of In the Heat of the Night includes Sidney Poitier as Virgil Tibbs, Rod Steiger as Police Chief Bill Gillespie, Warren Oates as Deputy Sam Wood, Peter Whitney as Deputy Courtney, Lee Grant as Mrs. Leslie Colbert and more.
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