Lilies of the Field (1963)

This is a very pleasant movie. It's not a masterpiece. There have been better movies; there have been funnier comedies; there have been more dramatic dramas; there have been deeper explorations of spiritual issues. But this is a very pleasant movie to watch - and even fun at times.

This is Sidney Poitier's movie. He plays Homer Smith - a mysterious drifter whose past we never do learn very much about who appears at a farm needing water for the radiator in his car. The farm turns out to be occupied by a group of nuns who've recently come to the United States from Germany and who basically draft Homer to build them a chapel. The movie basically portrays the growing relationship between the nuns and Homer. Homer resents the work he's being asked to do but somehow is unable to pull away. The nuns see Homer as an answer to their prayers for someone who could help them in this task. It's good fun watching Homer teach the nuns how to speak English and how to sing some of the gospel songs he learned in his Baptist upbringing.

As I said, this is Poitier's movie and he was superb in it. The supporting cast was fine, but not high profile. The only one I recognized was Stanley Adams from a Star Trek episode a few years later. This might be a little bit over-rated, but still it doesn't disappoint. Again - it's a very pleasant movie to watch. (6/10)

Fmovies: This is a pretty neat film about a man who passes by who needs water as engine coolent so he asks some kind looking Nuns for some water and they ask him to fix the roof for some money he than gets doubed in makeing a Chapell this is how the movie starts. I like the acting on both side, i very well like the scenery it was a fantastic movie about relegion and how their is fate in people and how anyone will help their fello man out. Even tho it is in Black and white some youngsters would not give it another look but the movie takes the pie. Good for all ages heck im 15 and loved the movie.

This is almost a perfect duplication of a wonderful book. I recommend all who loved this movie to read the epilogue of the book if not the whole book. In the epilogue, which the movie SHOULD have included, it is many years later. ... There is now the school and hospital which had been alluded to in the film. .... A tour is being given by one of the next generation of nuns. When the tour comes to the chapel we find that it is dedicated to St. Benedict the Moor and has a painting of St. Benedict as is appropriate. The nun explains that the model of St. Benedict was the man who built the chapel and it had been done by memory by one of the original group of German nuns. Her comment that "he was not of our race nor of our faith" was simple and lovely.

Whenever I see this movie now I simply imagine Homer Smith coming back as a middle aged man to see this special work of his and the emotions that Poitier could have demonstrated at seeing himself as St. Benedict the Moor.

Lilies of the Field fmovies. A classic in the deepest sense. No movie I have ever know has inspired more people to go and act on their beliefs. This movie inspires the deepest feeling of hope and faith. It proves that from almost nothing great things can happen. It makes you really believe everything has a purpose even the most unassuming situations as long as one keeps their mind and heart open. Albert Einstein would have LOVED this movie. It fits well with some of his theories on Life. Everything is a miracle in this movie. This is Sidney Poitier greatest work. He shows that even just traveling through life amazing things are always possible. Simple things like unemployment as the Mr. Smith finds out open avenues to adventures never even thought of. I would highly recommend everyone just to watch this movie at least one time in their life.

While driving through Arizona, Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier) stops at a chapel run by a group of East German nuns. He intends to stay only briefly, but ends up building most of the chapel for them. Naturally, both sides are a bit unfamiliar with the other side: Homer has to explain to the nuns his life as a black man in America, and the nuns have to explain to Homer their mission in life.

As always, Sidney Poitier does a splendid job as a man forcing people to look into their own prejudices. In fact, his character is someone still looking for his path in life. Maybe some people might say that Poitier was essentially playing the same character that he always played, but we have to remember that this was a total break from the Stepin Fetchit mold that had dominated the image of black people for so long, so movies like "Lilies of the Field" were pretty important. Poitier's Oscar win for this movie was well-deserved.

Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier) is a stubborn , obstinate ex-soldier when heading himself to the West he stops at a farm in desert . There meets a group of speaking-German nuns from East European Catholic . They are ruled by a stiff Superior Mother called Mary (Lilia Skala) and she thinks Smith has been sent by Christ for the building their church . They'll develop a likable friendship , helping the unfortunate nuns and creating a particular divine mission until the touching ending .

It's a fascinating , quiet film , perfectly acted and concerning the narration about the construction a church of riveting manner . Gentle , sympathetic Poitier and the strict Superior nun confront wills each other , but finally learn the meaning of the power of God and ultimately come to respect themselves . The storyline by James Poe relies heavily on the continued relationship among them but it isn't tiring ; being entertained and with numerous diverting moments and agreeable feeling . Enjoyable comedy and laughters are continuous ; the chuckles are based on diverse characters and differences among protagonists , he's Protestant , nuns are Catholics . Biggest of the film are the musical duets between Poitier and the nuns . The movie is well set with nice rural scenarios and is't eventually hampered by racist stereotypes on the black men , neither Mexican people . The story is narrated with sensitivity and intelligence and are treated religious and ethic issues with great sense of fairness and ductility . Ideal cast completed with magnificent actors . Sidney Poitier won a well deserved Oscar . He was the second African-American to win an Academy Award , before won Hattie McDaniel and later will achieve it famous actors as Cuba Gooding , Denzel Washington and Halle Berry . Glamorous and sensational cinematography by Ernest Haller . Moving and phenomenal score by the great Jerry Goldsmith and beautiful blues-songs by Poitier . The motion picture was driven with enormous fair play by director Ralph Nelson (Blue soldier) who followed this with a television movie . This is a wholesome and politically correct family fare . Indispensable seeing for Poitier fans.