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Lilies of the Field

Play trailer Poster for Lilies of the Field 1963 1h 34m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 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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Lilies of the Field

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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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Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader 01/08/2018
Well-meaning rot. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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. See more 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. See more Dani G @RT81139271 May 3 Very modest, simple, but effective film with a positive message See more jacob c @RT09118617 03/11/2025 A simple tale told with heart and earnestness, featuring charming performances from Sidney Poitier and the supporting cast. See more 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. See more Dave S @RT88116482 04/05/2022 Sidney poitier was the best thing in this movie . The supporting were quite good . See more Read all reviews
Lilies of the Field

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Cast & Crew

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Ralph Nelson

Director

Sidney Poitier

Homer Smith

Lilia Skala

Mother Maria

Lisa Mann

Sister Gertrude

Isa Crino

Sister Agnes

Francesca Jarvis

Sister Albertine

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Lilies of the Field

Lilies of the Field (1963) Lilies of the Field (1963) Lilies of the Field (1963) View more photos

Movie Info

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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