Lilies of the Field

Play trailer

Lilies of the Field

1963

1h 34m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Sidney Poitier lends heart and humor to the wonderfully simple Lilies of the Fields, in which splendor sprouts from wholesome soil.

Read Critics Reviews

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

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.

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

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.

See more

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.

See more

Dani G

May 3

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

See more

jacob c

Mar 11

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

04/05/2022

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

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Ralph Nelson

Director

Sidney Poitier

Homer Smith

Lilia Skala

Mother Maria

Lisa Mann

Sister Gertrude

Isa Crino

Sister Agnes

Francesca Jarvis

Sister Albertine

Spencer's Mountain

80%

65%

Spencer's Mountain

Watchlist

Love With the Proper Stranger

82%

86%

Love With the Proper Stranger

Watchlist

That Man From Rio

79%

79%

That Man From Rio

Watchlist

Period of Adjustment

71%

50%

Period of Adjustment

Watchlist

Lolita

89%

84%

Lolita

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Sidney Poitier’s 7 Most Memorable Performances

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now