In the Heat of the Night Reflection

 

Mr. Tibbs consoling Mrs. Colbert after discovering her husband passed away. 

In class, we watched the film In the Heat of the Night. This film focuses on Mr. Tibbs, a black police officer, from Philadelphia who specializes as a homicide detective. Mr. Tibbs tries to help the local police in the small town of Sparta, Mississippi uncover the truth about a tragic murder.  

Mr. Tibbs and Mr. Gillespie working together on the case

Throughout this film, Mr. Tibbs, and the chief of police, Bill Gillespie work together through teamwork, and disagreements to get to the bottom of this case. Although they don't always get along, they both have the common goal of discovering the truth about this case. 

At one point, Mr. Tibbs believes he found some evidence that leads back to Mr. Endicott who was a very wealthy local plantation owner. He decides to go to Mr. Endicott to ask him some questions, and get to the bottom of it. 

When Mr. Tibbs and Mr. Gillespie arrive at Endicott's plantation, they are lead to his greenhouse where Mr. Endicott is taking care of his plants. Mr. Endicott has deep passion and love for plants, specifically orchids and spends lots of time taking care of them.

At first, when they enter the greenhouse to talk to Mr. Endicott, he is very welcoming and polite. He offers them refreshments, and starts enjoying an intellectual conversation about his orchid collection with Mr. Tibbs. 

Throughout the conversation, Mr. Tibbs questions him about the roots the orchids grown in. When Mr. Endicott confirms it is osmunda fiber, or also known as fern root, Mr. Tibbs believes he solved the case. He looks at Mr. Gillespie with the facial expression of "I told you so". 

This is because Mr. Tibbs had previously found fern root on the pedal of Mr. Colbert's car, which was believed to have been driven by the killer. 

After multiple questions from Mr. Tibbs and Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Endicott starts questioning why they came to see him. They explain the murder case they are trying to solve, and how Mr. Endicott was one of the victims biggest enemies. They told him they just wanted to ask him some questions to get the story straight due to their history and rivalry. 

Mr. Endicott becomes very offended by this statement and the fact that they came to investigate him in the first place. Mr. Endicott makes it clear that he is especially insulted that a black man is interrogating him, and accusing him of such things. 

Mr. Endicott and Mr. Tibbs slapping each other in the face

Due to his anger, Mr. Endicott starts yelling at Mr. Tibbs and approaches him. Mr. Endicott then slaps Mr. Tibbs right across the face. Without hesitation, Mr. Tibbs slaps Mr. Endicott right back. This catches Mr. Endicott very off guard, because he never expected a black man to retaliate like that. 

Mr. Endicott is stunned by his actions, and immediately asks Mr. Gillespie, the Chief, if he saw that, and if he is going to do anything about it. When the chief says he doesn't know what he will do, Mr. Endicott gets even more frustrated, and states "I will remember that". 

Mr. Endicott even goes as far to say to Mr. Tibbs that if it had been just a few years earlier, he could have had Tibbs shot dead right on the spot. 

This was a pivotal scene in both the movie, and symbolically for the entire southern society because it revealed the major changes in authority at the time. 

Mr. Endicott in shock, beginning to cry

This scene showed that there was no longer absolute white authority in the town. Tibbs fighting back, and Gillespie choosing not doing anything about it showed the major changes happening in the town in the movie, and southern society as a whole. 

After Mr. Tibbs and Mr. Gillespie left, Mr. Endicott began to cry. This is because of a few things. Mr. Endicott is filled with so much anger, shock, and betrayal he cant help but become overwhelmed with his emotions. He also feels very vulnerable after realizing he doesn't have as much power he once did.