Film
- One of Gillespie's suspects, Harvey Oberst, is as racist as the other townsfolk and treats Virgil with disdain. When Virgil starts making it clear he's trying to clear him of murder — and then does it! — Harvey treats him with appropriate respect and friendliness.
- Packy, Harvey's friend, treats Tibbs with proper reverence. After an entire movie in which every white Sparta resident with a line of dialogue shows racist disdain for Tibbs, it comes as a relief that there's at least one person in town who doesn't.
- Gillespie's last words to Tibbs at the end, showing his newfound respect for the cop he'd been racially dismissive of at first.Gillespie: Virgil?... You take care, y'hear?Tibbs: [stares for a Beat, then smiles warmly] Yeah.Gillespie: [smiles back]
