A black Philadelphia homicide detective gets wrapped up in a small town murder in Alabama, where he tries to sort out the truth and deal with the racist local police chief.

Two greatly opposed and just plain great performances drive this film. Poitier's Mr. Tibbs is not accustomed to the harsh prejudice of the Deep South. And Steiger's Chief Gillispe is stunned at the boldness this stranger has in his usually quiet town.

The themes of racism cannot be ignored in the film, but take the crime story element alone and you still have a darn good picture. Add in the racial tension which fuels the performances in this film and you’ve got one of the best films of the second half of the 1960's.

In the Heat of the Night won five Oscars including Best Actor (Steiger) and Best Picture and spawned the 1980's television series of the same name starring Carol O'Conner.

Directed by Norman Jewison.