Gillespie is asked by a condemned prisoner to be present at his execution.Gillespie is asked by a condemned prisoner to be present at his execution.Gillespie is asked by a condemned prisoner to be present at his execution.
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Howard E. Rollins Jr.
- Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs
- (as Howard Rollins)
Anne-Marie Johnson
- Althea Tibbs
- (credit only)
Randal Patrick
- Lenny Cowes
- (as Randall Patrick)
Iva Franks Singer
- Woman Shot in Bank
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis segment is very similar to Prime of Life (1963), where police detective Adam Flint, played by Paul Burke is sent to attend the execution of a murderer he apprehended.
- GoofsThe chief's first shot outside the bank hits the glass of the rear view mirror of the getaway vehicle which would make him behind the vehicle. The next camera shot shows the vehicle driving towards the Chief and he shoots out the tire.
- Quotes
Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: You really hate this
[execution]
Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: don't you?
Sheriff Ketch Monroe: After war, it's about the worst thing we do. It's useless. But the people want it.
- ConnectionsEdited into In the Heat of the Night: Blessings (1990)
Featured review
All that remains
In the Heat of the Night is a fabulous series for many reasons, but this profound episode is arguably the best. Regardless of your positions and beliefs, you should be left with something to consider.
Chief William O. "Bill" Gillespie: You really hate this (execution) don't you?
Sheriff Ketch Monroe: ...After war, it's about the worse thing we do. It's useless. But the people want it.
(Before that exchange, Monroe had just given Gillespie a postcard that featured some boys fishing on a river as the sun disappeared. He said it was like the one he pulled out and stared into at the executions he was legally required to attend because it helped him imagine a peaceful transition.)
Chief William O. "Bill" Gillespie (to Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs, after questioning his uncertain charges on what they believe the founding fathers meant by "cruel and unusual punishment"-which is an reference to the Eight Amendment): About the only way you can execute a man without torturing him is to tell him you forgive him. Tell him you forgive him. Then turn him loose. And as soon as you see a happy smile come over his face, shoot him in the back of the head.
Chief William O. "Bill" Gillespie: You really hate this (execution) don't you?
Sheriff Ketch Monroe: ...After war, it's about the worse thing we do. It's useless. But the people want it.
(Before that exchange, Monroe had just given Gillespie a postcard that featured some boys fishing on a river as the sun disappeared. He said it was like the one he pulled out and stared into at the executions he was legally required to attend because it helped him imagine a peaceful transition.)
Chief William O. "Bill" Gillespie (to Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs, after questioning his uncertain charges on what they believe the founding fathers meant by "cruel and unusual punishment"-which is an reference to the Eight Amendment): About the only way you can execute a man without torturing him is to tell him you forgive him. Tell him you forgive him. Then turn him loose. And as soon as you see a happy smile come over his face, shoot him in the back of the head.
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- jeffstonewords
- Aug 20, 2021
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