“They call me Mister Tibbs!”

Norman Jewsin directs a well told tell of Deep South racism when Virgil Tibbs (Sydney Poitier) a renowned Philadelphia Homicide Detective, returns to Mississippi in the sweltering summer to visit his mother, a rich factory white owner is found dead. Tibbs is black and that is enough reason for the local cops to arrest him on suspicion murder. His identity and credentials are established, the Chief of Police (Rod Steiger) lets Tibbs out of jail. The chief enlists Tibbs help in solving the case. An uneasy and complicated relationship develops between the Southern sheriff and the well-educated homicide detective. As the two solve the case because of Tibbs education and experience surpasses the Chief of Police, chief examines his own prejudices and repents.

All in all, a very excellent film to reflect on our own prejudices.

Pick up this 4oth Anniversary edition.

Here are the special features:

Audio commentaries: Director — Norman Jewison; Actors — Lee Grant, Rod Steiger; Cinematographer — Haskell Wexler

Documentaries: “Turning Up the Heat: Movie Making in the Turbulent 60’s,” “Quincy Jones: In the Heat to Music”

Featurettes: “Slap Heard Around the World”

Theatrical Trailer and TV Spots