VidSurf

Lilies of the Field

Lilies of the Field

7.2

1963

94 min

Comedy

Drama

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 superior, who believes the man has been sent by God to build a much needed church in the desert.

Lilies of the Field

7.2

1963

94 min

Comedy

Drama

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 superior, who believes the man has been sent by God to build a much needed church in the desert.

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 Acolito

Dan Frazer

Father Murphy

Bobby Driscoll

Mexican Holding Chapel Door (uncredited)

Ralph Nelson

Mr. Ashton (uncredited)

Reviews

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2 years ago

This is one of my favourite performances from Sidney Poitier. Normally his characterisations were settled in an environment of racist and/or bigoted undertones. This drama actually has a much lighter, more comedic, touch to it. He is "Homer" a travelling factotum who happens upon five German nuns who who are bent on building a chapel - but they have no money, no labourer, and practically no way of communicating with their largely Spanish speaking neighbours. Now "Homer" is a kindly soul, so when the headstrong and determined "Mother Maria" (Lilia Skala) coaxes and cajoles him to help them out he is gradually drawn into their community - despite himself! He starts to teach them English, they start to teach him... well suffice to say nothing quite goes as planned for anyone as the story heads to it's obvious, but vindicating, solution. There's an enjoyable dynamic on screen here - some singing, some humour and as a general semblance of society builds, we begin to wonder who is doing whom more good. Ninety minutes just flies by, and it really is well worth catching up up with.