In The Heat Of The Night (1967) | Mr. Tibbs Slaps Endicott | MGM Studios

Mr. Tibbs visits Endicott in his greenhouse to find out the truth of what happened that night.

In The Heat Of The Night (1967)
Directed By: Norman Jewison
Screenplay By: Stirling Silliphant
Cast: Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, and Lee Grant
Not Rated
Available on Blu-Ray, DVD and digital platforms.

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In The Heat Of The Night (1967) | Mr. Tibbs Slaps Endicott | MGM Studios

#MGM #InTheHeatofTheNight

[velshock]

The look Poitier shot him when he flexed his suit before walking out. Brilliant!

[lornenoland]

In the original script, he was supposed to walk away after getting slapped. It was Poitier who insisted he strike back and they rewrote the scene. Iconic.
I also want to give credit to the actor playing Endicott. He was so rattled by Tibbs striking back that he broke down in tears. Excellent.

[Bondek]

Sir Sidney was a giant. To Sir With Love is perhaps my favourite of his.

[argabriel]

Poitier's stare down and shoulder roll encapsulated EVERYTHING.

[cillafontana]

Beautiful Sidney Poitier. A wonderful actor and a gentleman. This scene is monumental. RIP.

[Glurb]

Great scene in an all-time great movie. Poitier has said on multiple occasions that Tibbs slapping Endicott was not in the original script. He asked the filmmakers to add the return slap otherwise he would not have taken the role. R.I.P. Sidney Poitier.

[so]

Mr. Tibbs slapped the taste out of Endicott's mouth! My parents took me to see the movie when I was 11. At the end of this scene the audience started clapping and yelling so much the projectionist replayed it. Rest in Power Mr. Poitier.

[tiffanypalmer]

The butler. 😂😂 Such an amazing scene.

[emo-ql]

My favorite part of the movie!! That return slap was EPIC!! Thank you brother Sidney Poitier!!!

[izelkelly]

My man in the back holding the lemonades reaction when the slapping started cracks me up every time 😂 RIP Mr.Sidney P 🤲🏾

[Tech-tonic]

Came here to pay my respect, Rest in Eternal peace Legend ❤🖤❤🙏🏽

[janw]

Just one example of the many iconic and inspirational moments from this wonderful man. RIP Sidney, thank you so much for the memories that will carry forward for many generations to come!*! 💗

[Mina-hqlq]

"To God we come from to God we Return "May God forgive his shortcomings and admit him to heaven. This "slap" at the height of the 60s Civil Rights Movement uplifted so many of us!

[donkg]

He didn’t think it was remotely possible and thus wasn’t even prepared to dodge the return slap.

[Sbamabelle]

Also all credit to Rob Steiger, processing the rich racist's question, "What are you gonna do about it?" Chewing his gum while chewing over whose side he should be on, the wealthy white plantation owner who takes him for granted vs. this proud & elegant figure from a new world.

[markrush]

what a scene....mr sidney was magnificent.he is a massive legend.

[juncrow]

Logged in here to pay my respects. As a black kid going to a school in a racist part of London, this one slap by Virgil Tibbs truly left a lifelong impression on me. It was a deeply symbolic scene, for me and for non-white people worldwide! Endicott's sobs surely reflect his pain at realising that the days when black people "knew their place" were on their way out. What a classy, elegant, almost regal, figure Mr Poitier was. RIP, Sir Sidney. 🖤✊🏽

[marvinmills]

As the saying goes, "There are no small parts, just small actors." Henry put the punctuation on that.
RIP Mr. Poitier.

[imetaboyiusedtoknow]

It's the butler's reaction for me.

[RememberTheDead]

Interesting detail is that Endicott slaps Tibbs with the back of the hand, the historical way one would slap somone of inferior status (a slap with the palm being how one would strike equals), signifying "you don't even deserve my palm". Tibbs subsequently slaps him back also with the back of his hand, giving him a taste of his own medicine.