‘In the Heat of the Night’ is a mystery drama film, adapted from a 1965 novel of the same name by John Ball. It was directed by Norman Jewison. It stars Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger, and was produced by Walter Mirisch. The screenplay was by Stirling Silliphant.
The movie is about Philadelphian Virgil Tibbs, who gets arrested on suspicion of the murder of a factory owner in Sparta, Mississippi, due to the simple circumstance of being black, and having money in his pocket.
However, while the police are questioning him, he reveals that he is, in fact, a police officer himself. When he has Police Chief Bill Gillespie contact his department for verification, he is told by his superiors that he should assist the locals in solving the case, partnering with the same, casually racist Gillespie.
‘In the Heat of the Night’ received seven Academy Award nominations, winning for Best Picture, Actor (Steiger), Editing (Hal Ashby), Adapted Screenplay, and Sound.
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