In the Heat of the Night

Philadelphia homicide cop Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) was waiting for the train out of Sparta, Mississippi, when the local constabulary rousted him on a murder charge. After learning of Tibbs' bona fides-and reputation-racist police chief Bill Gillespie (Best Actor Oscar-winner Rod Steiger) grudgingly asked his ex-suspect's help in flushing out the real perpetrator. Five total Oscars, including Best Picture, went to Norman Jewison's compelling adaptation of John Ball's novel; Warren Oates, Lee Grant co-star. 110 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English DTS 5.1, DTS mono; Subtitles: English; audio commentary by Jewison, Steiger, Grant, others; featurettes; theatrical trailers; bonus features "They Call Me Mister Tibbs!" (1970), "The Organization" (1971). Two-disc set.