Plots(1)

Small-town Mississippi sheriff Gillespie (Rod Steiger) is forced to collaborate on a murder investigation with Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier), a black homicide detective from Philadelphia who was initially mistaken for a suspect based on the colour of his skin. At first, the pair find themselves totally at odds with each other, but as the investigation proceeds they each learn to respect one another's talents. (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)

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Awards

  • Winner
  • Nominations

Academy Awards

  • 1968 - Best Motion Picture of the Year
  • 1968 - Rod Steiger (Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role)
  • 1968 - Stirling Silliphant (Best Adapted Screenplay)
  • 1968 - Best Achievement in Film Editing
  • 1968 - Best Sound Mixing
  • 1968 - Norman Jewison (Best Achievement in Directing)