Lilies of the Field

Starring:Stanley Adams, Pamela Branch, Isa Crino, Dan Frazer, Francesca Jarvis, Lisa Mann, Sidney Poitier, Lilia Skala
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

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Sidney Poitier won an Oscar for this endearing movie about a handyman who thinks he's just passing through a little town in New Mexico, and ends up staying awhile to build a chapel for a cluster of German-speaking nuns. The renowned actor is highly entertaining in his combative exchanges with Lilia Skala, playing a Mother Superior who survived Hitler and makes no bones about bullying the goodhearted, itinerant worker into doing more and more for her. The film has an ambling, easygoing style with several memorable moments, not least of all is Poitier leading his holy hostesses through verses of the gospel song "Amen." Lilies is directed by the late Ralph Nelson, a pioneering director of live television who also made a number of popular feature films with notable performances (Jackie Gleason in Requiem for a Heavyweight, Cary Grant in Father Goose, Cliff Robertson in Charly) in the 1960s and 1970s. --Tom Keogh

Description

Featuring an Academy AwardÂ(r)-winning performance by Poitier*, and nominated** for four additional OscarsÂ(r), including Best Picture, Lilies of the Field is a funny, sentimental, charming and uplifting film (The Hollywood Reporter). Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier), an itinerant handyman, is driving through the Arizona desert when he meets five impoverished nuns. Stopping to fix their leaky farmhouse roof, Homer discovers that not only will the Mother Superior not pay him for the job, but she also wants him to build their chapelfor free! Hesitant at first, Homer soon finds himself single-handedly raising the chapel and the financing. But although hewill not receive a monetary reward, Homer knows that when his work is done, he'll leave that dusty desert town a much better place than when he found it. *1963: Actor **1963: Supporting Actress (Skala), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography (B&W)

Customer Reviews:

Lilies of the Field.......2007-06-27

Ralph Nelson's crowd-pleasing "Lillies" was a gentle, charming change-of-pace for Poitier, whose itinerant jack-of-all-trades Homer learns something about human charity and the power of God's will, as exercised through His most faithful followers. Sidney's heartfelt performance went over very well with the Academy, too: he became the first black actor ever to win the Best Actor Oscar for his stirring portrayal of Homer.

A-men!.......2007-06-09

This is a classic film. I saw it new, in the theater, when I was a kid, but unlike most movies of the same time period (late 50s, early 60s) it is not dated at all. FINALLY, finally, finally, it is available for home viewing.

If you are too young to be familiar with this film, consider the following points:

This movie is the defining moment of Sidney Poitier's long and distinguished career. I would say it is the film that made Poitier famous, although some might disagree with me.

American popular culture usually does a really bad and dishonest job of dealing with religious issues, but this movie is an exception. It has as much integrity as Huckleberry Finn deciding to go to hell instead of betraying his friend Jim. This movie is much more light-hearted than Mark Twain, but they share an accurate view of the way people really approach religion in their personal lives. Juan has paid his insurance, Senor!

Last but not least, even if you are too young to have seen this movie -- even if you have never even heard of it -- you have sung the theme song at summer camp. Sing along and enjoy!

A true classic!.......2007-06-02

This is one of the most heartwarming films I've ever seen and Sidney Poitier is a master of this sort of genre. This film belongs in everyones movie library if not for the great storyline, at least for the toe-tapping rendition of "Amen" sung by Sidney and accompanied by a group of German nuns who couldn't understand a word he was saying.
Hilarious!

just like the first time.......2007-05-24

I bought this DVD as a gift for my son, to accompany Sidney Poitier's book "The Measure of a Man." I first saw "Lilies of the Field" when it was originally presented in theaters. (Am I dating myself?) It was just as good this time around. It was history in the making then; now it's a glimpse of history. Excellent quality--the DVD itself and the acting.

Lilies of the Field.......2007-05-14

This movie is a classic. It is very heartwarming. It makes you fell good.
The actors are wonderful and a delight to watch.

The Sidney Poitier DVD Collection (For Love of Ivy / In the Heat of the Night / Lilies of the Field / The Organization / They Call Me Mister Tibbs!)

Average customer rating:

The Sidney Poitier DVD Collection (For Love of Ivy / In the Heat of the Night / Lilies of the Field / The Organization / They Call Me Mister Tibbs!)
Starring: Sidney Poitier
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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