"They got a murder on their hands. They don’t know what to do with it."
In the Heat of the Night - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
TheycallmeMISTERTibbs!
— VirgilTibbs
Context:
Gillespie mocks Tibbs's name, condescendingly asking what they call a boy like him back in Philadelphia.
Meaning:
Apowerfuldeclarationofdignityandademandforbasichumanrespectinthefaceofsystemicracialdegradation[1.3].
There was a time when I could've had you shot.
— Eric Endicott
Context:
Said to Tibbs with venomous disbelief immediately after Tibbs slaps Endicott across the face in the greenhouse.
Meaning:
Highlights the horrific history of extrajudicial violence, white supremacy, and lynching in the American South.
Take care, y'hear?
— Bill Gillespie
Context:
Spoken in the final scene, as Gillespie carries Tibbs's suitcase and sees him off at the train station.
Meaning:
A subtle but profound expression of genuine care, newfound brotherhood, and mutual respect.