Starring AFI Life Achievement Award honoree Sidney Poitier and appearing on the American Film Institute’s list of the greatest movies of all time, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1967) is counted as one the art form’s most inspiring narratives, with Poitier’s Virgil Tibbs included among AFI’s greatest screen heroes, one whose defiant declaration – “They call me Mr. Tibbs!” – appearing on AFI’s list of cinema’s most memorable film quotes.
Learn more about IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT in the AFI Catalog.