In the Heat of the Night

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In the Heat of the Night ★★★½ 1967

A wealthy industrialist in a small Mississippi town is murdered. A black homicide expert is asked to help solve the murder, despite resentment on the part of the town's chief of police. Powerful script with underlying theme of racial prejudice is served well by taut direction and powerhouse performances. Poitier's memorable character Virgil Tibbs appeared in two more pictures, “They Call Me Mister Tibbs” and “The Organization.” 109m/C VHS, DVD . Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, Lee Grant; D: Norman Jewison; W: Stirling Silliphant; C: Haskell Wexler; M: Quincy Jones. Oscars ‘67: Actor (Steiger), Adapt. Screenplay, Film Editing, Picture, Sound; British Acad. ‘67: Actor (Steiger); Golden Globes ‘68: Actor—Drama (Steiger), Film—Drama, Screenplay, Natl. Film Reg. ‘02;; N.Y. Film Critics ‘67: Actor (Steiger), Director (Nichols), Film; Natl. Soc. Film Critics ‘67: Actor (Steiger), Cinematog.

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