Lilies of the Field

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Lilies of the Field

1963

1h 34m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

92%

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26 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

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

Mar 17

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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Leaburn O

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

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

May 3

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

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jacob c

Mar 11

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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04/05/2022

Sidney poitier was the best thing in this movie . The supporting were quite good .

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Ralph Nelson

Director

Sidney Poitier

Homer Smith

Lilia Skala

Mother Maria

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Sister Agnes

Francesca Jarvis

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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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