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Easily one of the best movies ever made. Writing, acting and directing are all outstanding. Story line is thoughtful, provocative and plausible. Plenty of humor and the film's pacing is excellent. The film's characters are shown with all their flaws and their positive aspects. Some of what is best about the human spirit is beautifully displayed.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
a classic like no other. B/W Lilies Of The Field is the story of a group of Catholic nuns who escape from the Communist held portion of Berlin and come to the United States. They have a small holding in a southwestern state where they are attempting to set up a school, hospital and chapel to serve the people of the area whose only place of worship is a mobile field chapel serviced by a priest who travels to the many small towns in the area providing masses, christenings and other services. Homer Smith, played by Poitier, is a black traveling handyman who lives on the road in his station wagon. Smith is a baptist. Smith is hired to do some small jobs for the sisters, and is eventually convinced to "Build a Schapel" for the nuns. During the course of the movie, Smith and the Mother Superior butt heads again and again over who is building the Chapel, who is providing the materials and drive. Smith is agitated with the stony hard-driving Mother Superior whose unbending nature eventually causes him to leave. The attitude of the Mother Superior is that "God" is building the chapel for them using Smith as the tool. Smith returns and begins to take a personal interest in the chapel and is determined to build it unaided. During the course of the movie his determination convinces the members of the community, believer and un-believer to contribute materials and labor to the task. The chapel is eventually completed, the Mother Superior unbends a little, the community unites and Smith hits the road with their respect and thanks, and a feeling of personal accomplishment. A movie with subtle depth, great characters and a "watch it again" appeal that is not found in many of the current (1980-to date) movies, and which the bulk of these have failed to deliver. One of the many high-lights of this film is the Gospel song: Amen sung by Portier and the nuns. Let's face it. You can watch the fated lovers on the Titanic only so many times. This movie is timeless in its appeal. Lilies of the Field is a 1962 book by William Edmund Barrett which was made into a 1963 film and adapted for the musical stage with the title Look to the Lilies. It tells the story of a Black-American itinerant worker who encounters a group of East German nuns who are convinced he has been sent to them by God to help them build a new chapel. The film, which stars Sidney Poitier, Lilia Skala, Lisa Mann, Isa Crino, Francesca Jarvis, Pamela Branch, Stanley Adams and Dan Frazer, was adapted by James Poe from the novel. It was produced and directed by Ralph Nelson. The title comes from Matthew 6:28 a portion of the Sermon on the Mount in the New Testament. Poitier won the 1963 Academy Award for Best Actor, the first time a black man won a competitive Oscar in the USA.[1][2] The film was also nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Lilia Skala), Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, Best Picture and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.[3] [edit]Plot Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier), is an itinerant handyman/jack-of-all-trades who stops at a farm in the Arizona desert to get some water for his car radiator. The farm is run by a group of German nuns. He is persuaded to do a small roofing repair by Mother Maria. He stays overnight, believing that he will be paid in the morning. He tries to persuade Mother Maria by quoting Luke 10:7, "The laborer is worthy of his hire," but Mother Maria Marthe (Lilia Skala, called "Mother Maria"), responds with a verseRead full review
A OUT OF WORK construction worker (Sidney Poitier ) has his car over heat and stops to get water from a farm who is the home of some NUNS. This small group of NUNS escaped from Behind the Iron Curtain. and need a "Schapel" aka Chapel built. AH ....now we see the plot~ he needs a job and they need his skills~ the Lilies are the nuns. Poitier won an OSCAR in 1963 for his role of HOMER SMITH. There is HUMOR and CHARM in this simple movie where the NUNS are as FUNNY as they are stubborn~ the charming and witty dialog between Homer and Lila Scalia (one of the NUNS) is worth the WATCH. Timeless classic that will entertain any one~ ADD the local Mexican JUAN who's simple and great philosophy adds FUN to the complete picture~ This movie was made in an era of great changes in black and white relations but shows that GOOD PEOPLE COME IN ALL RACES AND COLORS~ SIMPLY CHARMING~ ALSO SEE A PATCH OF BLUE FOR MORE GREAT ACTING BY SIDNEY POITIER~ I GIVE THIS ONE A SOLID 12 OUT OF 10~ IF YOU FOUND THIS REVIEW HELPFUL PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE~Read full review
This is truly one of the timeless classics that is deeply spiritual. We have the nuns, who are devoted to God and then Homer Smith enters their lives, someone who just passes through. By the time the story is over, Homer has built the nuns a chapel that they have prayed for and Small Miracles keep happening. People of the Town chip in their time, their money and faith to helping getting the chapel built. By the time the film is over, we come to see that Homer is the true teacher of God, giving and love. Leaves 1 in tears at the beauty of this film. Sidney Poitier is magical
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Classic film that should be in every movie lover's collection. Sidney Poitier, the key star of this film, was a relatively new and upcoming star back in the 1960s. This film really gave him good visibility and showcased his acting talent. He is absolutely charming as an itinerant handyman who stops by to help a colony of indigent German nuns who migrated to the midwest to develop land donated to the order. He bridges the gap between his Baptist upbringing and the nuns Catholicism by teaching the nuns to speak English and engages them in a memorable song called Amen. He ends up being snokkered into a building a "shapel" (meaning chapel) as the stern Mother Superior calls it. He is gratified by the whole experience of self-giving which inspires others to help build the shapel. Amen.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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