Lilies of the Field (1963)

A Major Disappointment

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Blistering performances.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

If you're feeling down, here's a movie to boost your spirits. If you're a Christian of any kind, that's good too as it affirms your faith. If you're NOT a Christian, it can reaffirm your faith in humanity in general.Simplistic, yup, sure is but it's got some very serious messages not the least of which is, Do unto others as you would have done unto you.You can even be an atheist and get that message. Helping others not only makes you feel good, it HELPS OTHERS. That's I believe the basic message of this movie. I don't believe for a second there are any hidden agendas or overblown stereotypes and I feel anyone looking that deeply into the movie has some deeply buried issues to deal with.It's about faith, hope, love and helping, that's it. Anyone who walks away from this movie with a gripe or some overblown analysis should get some analysis him/herself. It's not a big movie, it's a NICE movie and Sydney Poitier, one of the finest actors ever to grace film, does a superb low key job playing Homer Smith. He doesn't WANT to help, he's compelled to help by forces he doesn't seem to want to give into, yet, he does and feels so much reward for it.Do you want to see a movie with a positive message in which no one gets blown up and no one chases anyone in a car? Do you want to see a movie that makes you feel good, makes you think, "Gee, I wonder who I can help"? See this movie. It's dated, but who gives a damn? It's a great, little movie with a great BIG message.

Everyone in the film seems to be a fish out of water, and this makes for a compelling mixture of humor and poignancy. The German nuns are not conversant in American culture and require—demand, rather—assistance to procure supplies, travel to mass, and build their chapel. Sidney Poitier's Homer (is the name an "Odyssey" reference?) needs a steady job, though he may not want to admit it. The English lessons he gives the nuns, and the Baptist hymn he teaches them, are the film's highlights, and these both come within the first twenty minutes. The narrative loses momentum as the chapel slowly takes shape, but at a mere 94 minutes it is not too long a movie.

Godsent Homer Smith builds a chapel to five nuns from East Germany.There's the plot in short of this movie.Lillies of the Field (1963) is directed by Ralph Nelson.It's based on the 1962 novel by William Edmund Barrett.Sidney Poitier, who turned 85 last month, gives a terrific performance as Homer.He was the first African American man to win an Oscar.Lilia Skala, who earned a nomination, is superb as Mother Maria.Also great job from other nun performers (Lisa Mann, Isa Crino, Francesca Jarvis and Pamela Branch).Stanley Adams is excellent as Juan.Dan Frazer, who passed away last December at the age of 90, is brilliant as Father Murphy.Director Nelson himself plays the part of Mr. Ashton, and he's great.Jerry Goldsmith is behind the music.I liked this movie.Especially I enjoyed when they started singing "Amen".That Poitier fellow can really sing! This movie leaves you with a nice feeling.

With his car overheating near an Arizona desert, Baptist handyman and ex-serviceman Sidney Poitier (as Homer Smith) stops to ask five Catholic nuns for water. In return, Mr. Poitier helps around the holy house and gives Mother Superior Lilia Skala (as Maria) and the group a lesson in speaking English. Poitier learns the nuns have traveled from East Germany. They believe Poitier was sent from Heaven, to help them build a new chapel. Poitier doesn't think he's up to the task, but God may have other plans… This was an understandable favorite when it bowed at the 1963 "Berlin Film Festival" where acting and directing awards were bestowed upon Poitier and Ralph Nelson. The wave of warm-hearted feelings and critical acclaim rode all the way home to the United States, where Poitier won the "Academy Award" for "Best Actor". This was an historical win; after 100 years, a struggle against institutionalized racism was reaching fruition. Poitier is great, although the "Amen" dubbing almost does his performance in...Released during pivotal events in the Civil Rights Movement, "Lilies of the Field" almost startlingly made no political points about race; instead, it paralleled the movement's wise use of religion and non-violence. By speaking softly, the film carried a big stick. This is not a great motion picture (outside of context), but "Lilies of the Field" helped provide many with hope, dignity, and inspiration. Poitier made it to the mountaintop. Climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow until you find your dream.******* Lilies of the Field (6/63) Ralph Nelson ~ Sidney Poitier, Lilia Skala, Stanley Adams, Dan Frazer