In The Heat Of The Night (1967)

While passing through a small racist town in Mississippi, a black police detective (Sidney Poitier) from the North finds himself unwillingly embroiled in solving a murder. The redneck sheriff (Rod Steiger) resents his intrusion but realizes his expertise may be his only hope of getting the murder solved. Based on the novel by John Ball and directed by Norman Jewison (FIDDLER ON THE ROOF). The 1967 Oscar winner for best picture remains an engrossing murder mystery while it also examines small town racism. The compelling performances of Poitier and Steiger go a long way in providing a human context against the background of unbridled racism and hatred. By the film's end, there's a mutual respect between the two men but the film keeps it real, Steiger's bigot sheriff hasn't seen the light, he's still a racist but perhaps for the first time, he's seen a black man as a human being and not the enemy. The strong supporting cast includes Lee Grant, Warren Oates, Scott Wilson, Larry Gates, Peter Whitney, William Schallert and Beah Richards.