In the Heat of the Night (1967) movie poster

In the Heat of the Night (1967)

"They got a murder on their hands. They don’t know what to do with it."
ThumbScore
👍 82%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
🎬 86% (RT: 96%, MC: 76) ℹ️RT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
CrimeDramaMysteryThriller

Where to Watch

Free
TubiPluto TVRoku ChannelPlexPrime Video
Streaming
YouTube TVPhilo
Rent / Buy
Fandango at HomeApple TVGoogle Play
See all watch options on JustWatch
Director
Runtime
1h 49m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
7.7/10 (1,214 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
96%
Metacritic
76
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
Most people think so. 82% of audiences gave it a thumbs up based on 1,214 votes. Critics agree, scoring it 86%.
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. Wikipedia ↗
Fun Facts
  • The initial cut of In the Heat of the Night was reportedly much longer, with several subplots removed to improve the pacing.
  • During production of In the Heat of the Night, the crew faced numerous challenges but managed to complete the shoot ahead of schedule.
  • The iconic poster for In the Heat of the Night was designed at the very last minute before marketing began.
Audience Consensus

In the Heat of the Night is a 1967 crime, drama, mystery film directed by Norman Jewison. 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. The film has been rated by 1,214 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers. As a crime film, In the Heat of the Night delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling.

The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences. In the Heat of the Night (1967) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape. The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

Movies You Might Like
r/

What Reddit Thinks

r/movies
⬆ 2,678💬 165 comments
Norman Jewison Dies: ‘Fiddler On The Roof,’ ‘Moonstruck’ & ‘In The Heat Of The Night’ Director Was 97
Top comment: "This guy had one hell of a filmography R.I.P"
r/movies
⬆ 727💬 155 comments
"In the Heat of the Night" (1967, Norman Jewison) - Mr. Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) and Chief Gillespie (Rod Steiger) have a friendly chat with Endicott (Larry Gates) the plantation owner
Top comment: "Originally, the scene was written with Tibbs being slapped and then he immediately left the room..."
← Browse All Movies | Free Movies | Best Movies | New Releases
💬 Feedback