
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.

Sidney Poitier
Virgil Tibbs

Rod Steiger
Police Chief Bill Gillespie

Warren Oates
Deputy Sam Wood

Peter Whitney


If one server does not work, switch to another server.
August 2, 1967
1h 49m
7.7
Norman Jewison
John Ball, Stirling Silliphant


United Artists
US
The Mirisch Company
US
Deputy Courtney

Lee Grant
Mrs. Leslie Colbert

Anthony James
Ralph

William Schallert
Mayor Schubert

Scott Wilson
Harvey Oberst

Larry Gates
Eric Endicott

James Patterson
Mr. Purdy
• If the video does not load, change to another server.
• Use fullscreen for the best experience.
• Some sources may have different subtitle timing.
1,243