Lilies of the Field (1963)

A travelling 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 10 wins & 13 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:

arizona desert | arizona | arizona territory | magical negro stereotype | alcoholic priest | 

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Taglines:

Perhaps The Most Extraordinary Story Of Courage, Conflict And Devotion Ever Filmed!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

On each sleeve of Homer's work-shirt is the outline of sergeant's stripes.

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Goofs

When "Schmidt" first takes the nuns to mass and he goes across the street to breakfast and orders pancakes, Juan pours the pancake batter on the griddle and continues his conversation with Smith. At no time does he ever flip the pancakes over and yet they don't burn.

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Quotes

[Splashing himself with water outside]
Homer Smith: Oh! Why couldn't they have asked me to build a bathtub? With nice, *hot* water?

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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

Referenced in Jeopardy!: Episode #26.9 (2009)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Perceptible and sensitive film with an awesome Sidney Poitier

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.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German Spanish

Release Date:

5 July 1963 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Piety in the Sky

Filming Locations:

Sabino Canyon, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$240,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rainbow Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1