IMDb >
Lilies of the Field (1963)
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsLilies of the Field (1963) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 12 | slideshow) | Videos |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
5 July 1963 (West Germany)
more
Tagline:
Sidney Poitier as the life-loving ex-GI who one day encounters five nuns escaped from beyond the Berlin Wall... more
Plot:
An unemployed construction worker (Homer Smith) heading out west stops at a remote farm in the desert to get water when his car overheats...
more
| full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won Oscar.
Another 11 wins
&
10 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(7 articles)
Birthday Suits, An Oscar For Ed!
(From FilmExperience. 28 November 2009, 6:20 AM, PST)
Poitier To Be Honored at Common Wealth Awards
(From WENN. 27 March 2007)
(From FilmExperience. 28 November 2009, 6:20 AM, PST)
Poitier To Be Honored at Common Wealth Awards
(From WENN. 27 March 2007)
User Comments:
My 'perfect' movie.
more (50 total)
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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
94 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:Approved |
Canada:G (Manitoba/Quebec) |
Canada:PG (Ontario) |
UK:U |
South Africa:(Banned) |
South Africa:PG (re-rating) |
Finland:S |
Sweden:Btl
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Director Ralph Nelson had to put up his house as collateral.
more
Goofs:
Continuity: After Smith is passed the bread plate at his first supper with the sisters, it disappears and reappears on the table between shots.
more
Quotes:
Homer Smith:
[one of the nuns has just given Homer his breakfast; one fried egg and a half cup of milk] That's a Catholic breakfast, ain't it?
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Jeopardy!: (#26.9)" (2009)
more
Soundtrack:
Amen
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (50 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Lilies of the Field (1963) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| The Sound of Music | Viridiana | The White Sister | The Song of Bernadette | The Nun's Story |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |



If someone were to ask me for the 'perfect' movie, this is the one I would choose. Not 'greatest', not 'best', but something better... an utterly flawless film. It's lean and spare, set in the desert and filmed in B&W. Both the humor and the drama are low-key, but are all the more moving for that, presented without clutter. It uses a small cast to create a rich diversity of characters from different religions, races, and cultures. But these differences aren't what creates the drama, they are simply a wonderful part of the background texture. The conflict lies purely in the clash of personalities between two good people, Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier) and Mother Maria (Lilia Skala), both with their own personal flaws and virtues.
I really can't begin to describe how much I like "Lilies of the Field". It could have been one of those awful preachy 'message' films, but it isn't. It is purely fine story telling. Which isn't to say you can't find meaning in it. Far from it. For me, I've always been taken by how the common human goodness of all the characters is brought out without being dependent on, or sacrificing, their many differences of religion or culture. They remain the same people at the end of the movie as at the beginning, except they're all a bit better, a bit less flawed. And that's pretty close to perfection.