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.
Genres
Links
Awards Dominance
Wins
Nominations
5 Oscar · 3 Golden Globe
Won
1968
Actor
Rod Steiger
Best Picture
Walter Mirisch, Producer
Film Editing
Hal Ashby
Sound
Samuel Goldwyn Studio Sound Department
Writing (Screenplay--based on material from another medium)
Stirling Silliphant
Directing
Norman Jewison
Sound Effects
James A. Richard
1968
Best Motion Picture - Drama
In the Heat of the Night
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Rod Steiger
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Sterling Silliphant
Best Director - Motion Picture
Norman Jewison
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Sidney Poitier
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture
Quentin Dean
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture
Lee Grant
Ranked by shared director, cast, genre, country & era
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