Lilies of the Field

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Lilies of the Field

1963

1h 34m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

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26 Reviews

86%

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5,000+ Ratings

When traveling African-American handyman Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier) stops by a farm in rural Arizona, he is welcomed by a group of Roman Catholic nuns who have emigrated from Germany. Realizing that the farm needs a lot of work, Homer takes on a number of repair projects for the women, who are led by the headstrong Mother Maria (Lilia Skala). Impressed by Homer's kindness and strong work ethic, the nuns come to believe that he has been sent by God to help build them a chapel.

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Critics Consensus

Sidney Poitier lends heart and humor to the wonderfully simple Lilies of the Fields, in which splendor sprouts from wholesome soil.

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James Powers

The Hollywood Reporter

12/28/2018

Lilies of the Field is a funny, sentimental, charming and uplifting film, in which intelligence, imagination and energy are proved again to be beyond the price of any super-budget.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

01/08/2018

Well-meaning rot.

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Variety Staff

Variety

03/26/2009

Many factors combine in the overall success of the film, notably the restrained direction by Ralph Nelson, a thoroughly competent screenplay by James Poe, and, of course, Poitier's own standout performance.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

03/17/2025

10/10

Few films manage this tempo, this design of striking ups and minimal downs that flawlessly – and comically – highlights pride, humility, kindness, unselfishness, leadership, and hard work.

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Christopher Lloyd

The Film Yap

05/16/2022

4/5

Sidney Poitier is a revelation in the gentle if somewhat dated classic, winning the first leading actor Oscar by a non-white performer playing a wanderer who helps some stubborn nuns.

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Frank J. Avella

Edge Media Network

08/23/2021

A

Poitier's performance is a sheer joy to behold, and Lilia Skala is simply brilliant as Mother Maria.

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Forrest M

@RT32281296 1d

"Lilies of the Field" tells a story of a man who encounters a group of German Catholic nuns and helps them build a chapel at an Arizona desert. The movie was a simple, clean, and fun that exhibits the theme of having faith in God. Great acting. Faith in God was totally exhibited by Mother Maria Martha particularly during the trying times of finding the right man and the materials particularly the seeking the bricks needed to build the chapel. We also get to hear Latin Catholic hymns sung by the nuns such as "Ave Maria" and "Stella Maria Maris". The movie ended in an awkward note particularly when Mother Maria Martha asked Homer Smith, a Baptist, to stay with them after helping them. Since it was a post-war movie, it was only expected for Homer to turn down in lieu of stating that his partnership with them has ended. No question that Hollywood has started to foster themes of liberation theology and evangelizing Catholicism.

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Leaburn O

@RT35452347 Oct 27

The first instalment of Sister Act probably remains the best to date. Poitier is good, if a little giddily earnest. The story is simple but fast enough to keep you interested. A parable about the wholesomeness of hard labour or something like that. Watched on Amazon Prime.

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Mike I

@RT10267101 Sep 29

I really enjoyed this movie. Watching Homer “Schmidt” interact with the nuns was interesting and humorous. Homer was vague about his future plans, he was like a loner. He almost seemed like he could’ve been a friendly, curious angel sent by God to help build the new chapel.

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Dani G

@RT81139271 May 3

Very modest, simple, but effective film with a positive message

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jacob c

@RT09118617 03/11/2025

A simple tale told with heart and earnestness, featuring charming performances from Sidney Poitier and the supporting cast.

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05/20/2022

this is one of my favorite movies, it is a fish out of water story, on BOTH sides, the black american working his way across country, a group of german nuns trying to get a chapel built under the watchful eye of a stubborn mother superior, a café owner watching all this go down, a construction company owner being pulled in to the fray and all this happening under the arizona sun.

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Ralph Nelson

Director

Sidney Poitier

Homer Smith

Lilia Skala

Mother Maria

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Synopsis

When traveling African-American handyman Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier) stops by a farm in rural Arizona, he is welcomed by a group of Roman Catholic nuns who have emigrated from Germany. Realizing that the farm needs a lot of work, Homer takes on a number of repair projects for the women, who are led by the headstrong Mother Maria (Lilia Skala). Impressed by Homer's kindness and strong work ethic, the nuns come to believe that he has been sent by God to help build them a chapel.

Director: Ralph Nelson
Producer: Ralph Nelson
Screenwriter: James Poe
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Rainbow Productions
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 1, 1963, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 2, 2017
Runtime: 1h 34m

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