Lilies of the Field (1963)

A traveling handyman becomes the answer to the prayers of nuns who wish to build a chapel in the desert.

Director:

Ralph Nelson

Writers:

James Poe (screenplay), William E. Barrett (novel)

Stars:

Sidney Poitier, Lilia Skala, Lisa Mann

Won 1 Oscar. Another 12 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Sidney Poitier	...	Homer Smith
Lilia Skala	...	Mother Maria
Lisa Mann	...	Sister Gertrude
Isa Crino	...	Sister Agnes
Francesca Jarvis	...	Sister Albertine
Pamela Branch	...	Sister Elizabeth
Stanley Adams	...	Juan
Dan Frazer	...	Father Murphy

Storyline

Homer Smith, an unemployed construction worker, heading out west stops at a remote farm in the desert to get water when his car overheats. The farm is being worked by a group of East European Catholic nuns, headed by the strict Mother Maria, who believes that Homer has been sent by God to build a much needed church in the desert...

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Plot Keywords:

desert | catholic | nun | mother superior | construction worker | 

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Taglines:

Sidney Poitier as the life-loving ex-GI who one day encounters five nuns escaped from behind the Berlin Wall...

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German Spanish

Release Date:

5 July 1963 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Piety in the Sky

Filming Locations:

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$240,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rainbow Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The large wagon driven by Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier) throughout the movie and which he apparently lives in while on the road is a 1959 Plymouth Sport Suburban.

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Goofs

After Smith is passed the bread plate at his first supper with the sisters, it disappears and reappears on the table between shots.

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Quotes

Homer Smith: I'm gonna' build me a chapel.

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the film, the word "Amen" is seen, rather than "The End".

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Connections

Followed by Christmas Lilies of the Field (1979)

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Soundtracks

"Amen"
(uncredited)
By Jester Hairston
Sung by Sidney Poitier dubbed by Jester Hairston

User Reviews

Superb Film

Of all the fine work done by Sidney Poitier during his heyday, this film stands out as the most accessible, the most likable and the most heartwarming. Poitier's portrayal of itinerant builder Homer Smith rings true throughout, a man living life on his own terms...yet still a humane and involved individual.

This film has everything that brings good humor to a movie. The classic "fish out of water" premise, amicable cross-cultural confusion, joyous music...but it is much, much more than a mere comedy; much more than a simple drama.

This film was made in the thick of the civil rights movement. A black man in close juxtaposition to a group of white nuns was an eyebrow raiser in the 60's, as was the overall multicultural setting. White, black, Mexican, Anglo, German, Hispanic - all are tossed together with such a deft hand that the occasional nod to the prevailing racist attitudes of the time is almost brushed aside as the film skillfully makes its point. The emphasis here is on people doing as people should do...working and living together, helping one another and learning and growing from the experience.

Perhaps this is the time for any of us who has seen this film to see it again, and ask ourselves how the lessons of "Lilies of the Field" can be applied to the recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and the relief of all the human misery that has resulted.