From the excellent title song all the way until the closing credits, this film is a masterpiece. If you are a fan of the '80's TV series then you are in for a real treat.
We are introduced to Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) shortly after a prominent citizen in Sparta, Mississippi has been murdered. The police are certain that they have cracked the case after Virgil is found in a local bus stop.

　　 Afterall, he is black and loaded with money so obviously he killed the white man.

　　 Enter Police Chief Bill Gillespie (Rod Steiger)...

　　 Initially, Chief Gillespie is equally convinced of Virgil's guilt despite the lack of any evidence. It's only after grilling the suspect for a while that he learns that Virgil is, in fact, a police officer. Not only is he a fellow cop, he is a highly respected detective from Philadelphia who has excelled in the field of homicide.

　　 Virgil's chief directs him to assist in solving the murder but Gillespie says he doesn't need any help. This leaves Gillespie in an embarrassing and precarious situation. 英文影评 damn well that his police force is inept in the handling of murder cases, he changes his mind and appeals to Virgil for assistance in solving the murder.

　　 Of course, Virgil wants nothing to do with this. He was only in town to visit his mother and would like nothing more than to leave and let these racist pricks fend for themselves. But Gillespie swallows his pride and convinces Virgil to at least look at the body before leaving town.

　　 From this point on the viewer becomes enmeshed in an intelligent murder mystery that is full of plot twists, racial tension and outstanding performances throughout.

　　 To give away any plot details after this point in the movie would be an offense punishable by death.

　　 In 1969 "In The Heat of The Night" won best picture and Rod Steiger garnered a well-deserved Oscar for his role as Chief Gillespie.

　　 It is little wonder that almost twenty years later some TV execs saw gold in this premise and developed this movie into a long-running television series. No offense to those that love the watered-down spin-off of this movie but, in my opinion, it will always pale in comparison.

　　 Do yourself a favor and watch the movie that inspired the series. It should be worth the rental just to see Sidney Poitier bitchslap a racist asshole that was just begging for it. I have seen this movie more times than I can count and I still cheer at that scene.

　　 Rent this movie. Rent it now. You won't be disappointed.