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 11 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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Did You Know?

Trivia

Favorite film of LeVar Burton.

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Goofs

When the pickup truck arrives loaded with bricks. The tires and suspension are barely strained. If the truck were loaded with as many bricks as it appears, the truck would be overloaded, the bed would be riding very low and the tires would be pressed down.

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Quotes

Juan: I cannot see further and I cannot believe further.

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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

Featured in A Century of Black Cinema (2003)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

No Malice, No Prejudice, No Loss...

Few are the films, past and especially present, that contain only pleasure and joy, or at least the seeds of them - even fairy tales have their villains. Heartwarming - absolutely, who wouldn't want to imagine themselves as Homer Smith with the generosity he affords the nuns, not just in building them their chapel but teaching them English and sharing a song or two.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German Spanish

Release Date:

5 July 1963 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Lilien auf dem Felde

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