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Summary

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.

Details

Release Date: August 2, 1967

Runtime: 109 minutes

Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery

Rating: ⭐ 7.7/10 (1316 votes)


Virgil Tibbs Trilogy

  • In the Heat of the Night

    In the Heat of the Night

    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.

  • They Call Me Mister Tibbs!

    They Call Me Mister Tibbs!

    A police detective's investigation of a prostitute's murder points to his best friend.

  • The Organization

    The Organization

    After a group of young revolutionaries break into a company's corporate headquarters and steal $5,000,000 worth of heroin to keep it off the street, they call on San Francisco Police Lieutenant Virgil Tibbs for assistance.


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Cast

  • Sidney Poitier

    Sidney Poitier

    Det. Virgil Tibbs

  • Rod Steiger

    Rod Steiger

    Police Chief Bill Gillespie

  • Warren Oates

    Warren Oates

    Deputy Sam Wood

  • Lee Grant

    Lee Grant

    Mrs. Leslie Colbert

  • Larry Gates

    Larry Gates

    Eric Endicott

  • James Patterson

    James Patterson

    Mr. Purdy

  • William Schallert

    William Schallert

    Mayor Schubert

  • Beah Richards

    Beah Richards

    Mama Caleba

  • Peter Whitney

    Peter Whitney

    Deputy Courtney

  • Matt Clark

    Matt Clark

    Packy Harrison

  • Arthur Malet

    Arthur Malet

    Ulam

  • Fred Stewart

    Fred Stewart

    Dr. Stuart

  • Quentin Dean

    Quentin Dean

    Delores Purdy

  • Scott Wilson

    Scott Wilson

    Harvey Oberst

  • Timothy Scott

    Timothy Scott

    Shagbag

  • William Watson

    William Watson

    McNeil

  • Jester Hairston

    Jester Hairston

    Endicott's Butler

  • Anthony James

    Anthony James

    Ralph

  • Alan Oppenheimer

    Alan Oppenheimer

    Ted Appleton (uncredited)

  • Clegg Hoyt

    Clegg Hoyt

    Deputy (uncredited)