Lilies of the Field (1963)

Director:

Ralph Nelson

Writers:

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

Release Date:

5 July 1963 (West Germany)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy

Tagline:

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

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Desert | Catholic | Nun | Mother Superior | Construction Worker

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 12 wins & 10 nominations

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
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ralph Nelson	...	Mr. Ashton (uncredited)

Directed by
Ralph Nelson

Writing credits
James Poe		(screenplay)
William E. Barrett		(novel "Lilies of the Field")

Produced by
Ralph Nelson	....	producer
J. Paul Popkin	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Jerry Goldsmith

Cinematography by
Ernest Haller		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
John W. McCafferty

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Joe Popkin	....	assistant director
Harry R. Sherman	....	assistant director

Art Department
Robert Eaton	....	property master

Sound Department
C.W. Faulkner	....	sound engineer
Del Harris	....	sound effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Norman C. McClay	....	gaffer
Leo McCreary	....	head grip

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Wesley Sherrard	....	wardrobe (as Wesley G. Sherrard)

Music Department
Jester Hairston	....	music arranger: vocal arrangements
Albert Shaff	....	music editor (as Albie Shaff)
Bob Bain	....	musician: guitar (uncredited)

Other crew
Larry Hampton	....	production coordinator (as Lawrence A. Hampton)
Stanley Scheuer	....	script supervisor (as Stanley K. Scheuer)

Production Companies

• Rainbow Productions

Distributors

• United Artists (1963) (USA) (theatrical)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1967) (USA) (TV) (pan and scan)
• Key Video (1985) (USA) (VHS) (pan and scan for CBS/Fox Video)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2001) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Consolidated Film Industries (CFI)  titles: opticals and processing (as CFI)
• Perseverance Records  soundtrack (re-release)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German | Spanish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:Approved (original release) | Canada:G (Manitoba/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | UK:U | South Africa:(Banned) | South Africa:PG (re-rating) | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Company:

Rainbow Productions

Trivia:

The film was shot on Linda Ronstadt's father's small ranch. There was no art director, but the Property Master, Robert Eaton, actually supervised the construction of the chapel, adjacent to existing ranch buildings. The interiors of the Nun's abode were filmed in these buildings. Robert Eaton rented a prop organ, furniture, and other set dressing and hand props from the Hollywood Cinema Mercantile Property House, located on Santa Monica Blvd near Paramount Studios. Eaton drove a rental truck carrying all the props to Arizona for the shoot, returning all the props after the film's completion. Watching the main Nun's interior abode, the prop organ stands against one wall, with a painting hanging on an adjacent wall. There is absolutely no continuity in where the prop table and chairs, related organ and hanging picture belong. The props are choreographed to the actors' motivation or movement in each scene. In the summer of 1979, Ralph Nelson was the principle motivation in directing a NBC TV MOW "Christmas Lillies of the Field" featuring Billy De Williams (Homer Smith) and Maria Schell (Mother Maria). The film was planned as a pilot for a mid-season 1979-1980 series replacement which was to be based at the Provo, Utah, Osmond Family Television Studio Production facility. The Chapel and Nun's quarters were built on State owned land 75 miles from the studio. The production planned to use this location for the series, filming additional locations in the Salt Lake area. Ralph Nelson would produce and direct the TV series "Lillies of the Field". The December 29th, 1979, MOW's slim viewer ratings resulted in cancellation of any further series development.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: After Homer gets a drink of water from Mother, as he pulls away in the car, the camera's shadow is visible on the car. Also a large white rectangular reflector is reflected briefly in the window.

Quotes:

Mr. Ashton:Say, where'd you get all the material?
Juan:The people give them, Senor.
Mr. Ashton:What for?
Juan:A man, he gives wood... bricks. In time, what does he get? A chapel... a place where his children can receive the sacraments. To these men, for their children to have faith, it is important.
Mr. Ashton:Is that why you're here?
Juan:To me, it is insurance. To me, life is here on this earth. I cannot see further, so I cannot believe further. But, if they are right about the hereafter, I have paid my insurance, Senor.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "ER: Something New (#4.2)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

Amen

Just finished watching this movie and i must say it was perfect

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.