Lilies of the Field | | Cast : | Sidney Poitier, Lilia Skala | | Director : | Ralph Nelson | | Studio : | MGM/UA Video | | Format : | Black & White, Closed-captioned, Widescreen | | Released Date : | January 01, 1963 | | DVD Released Date : | March 06, 2001 | | Language : | French (Subtitled), English (Dubbed), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | NR (Not Rated) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | June 17, 2005 | | Summary | A little film that did | Content
 | Sidney Poitier was already a star when this film came around. But what this film did is prove that he was a great actor. This film has no flash or technical sophistication. This is a film with a simple, direct and compelling story of faith and good deed.
Homer Smith is a casual laborer who stops to help out a small convent and winds up building a chapel.
Poitier plays homer with humanity. Lilia Skala plays the reverend mother who uses her faith and iron will to get Homer to build the chapel.
This is a movie of pure emotion and extreme heart. If this film does not give the feel goods, nothing will. |
| Rating | | | Date | May 09, 2005 | | Summary | A Great Film for your Inner peace | Content
| If you overload on frustration or anger and want to delete it, then go watch this film. It will take the load off you and give you some hope and peace in its place. All that I can say is that mere words fail me in praising this film! |
| Rating | | | Date | February 23, 2005 | | Summary | A BRIGHTNESS OF HOPE | Content
| In our home, on Sundays, regular television broadcasting is entirely avoided, as well as most secular movies. We generally watch only what we call "scripture movies"--those specifically designed to support gospel teaching. "Lilies of the Field", while secular does indeed support gospel principles in a wonderfully subtle, simple, yet poignant and entertaining way. The film encourages serving others, recognizing that our Heavenly Father loves all of us equally despite our differences of race, religion, etc., that we are all blessed with gifts which He intends for us to use to serve His purposes and in so doing serve our "neighbor".
Sidney Portier's Oscar-winning performance is spectacular. But when has it not been? You finish watching this film and want to go out and perform some unselfish service for someone with as much grace, care and good humor as "Schmidt". Yes, initially, Homer would have liked to have been paid. As it turns out he was, just not in cash. He gained the view of himself as being of much greater worth than "mammon" and a peaceful release of a self-sabotaging pride in the of realization of at least one of his dreams. For once the chapel is complete, he carves his name in so obscure a place that no one else is ever likely to see it and give him credit for the building. But that's okay with Homer now, HE KNOWS that he may truly call himself contractor, engineer and Master Craftsman.
Not only is this movie delightful for its life lessons, but for its ability to appeal to anyone, hopefully, everyone. I have three sons, ten and under. All of them are as in love with video games and gratuitously, action-packed films as any other boys I know. Still, whenever the boys have a Monday off from school ("Lilies..." is feature length unlike "scripture movies",so they are allowed to stay up late enough to watch it), the Sunday viewing line up WILL, invariably, include "Lilies of the Field" -- THEIR choice. Indeed, my oldest claims it as one of his favorites, right up there with Star Wars films. It makes me happy since it is of such high quality and has been one of my favorites since childhood, too.
The HOPE I mention in my subject line refers to this film's managing to retain a full dose of it, notwithstanding the tests of time, the scarcity of respectable, humble male African American characters in film, plummeting values and standards in all forms of entertainment, fluctuating race/nation relations and the increasing frenzy to acquire money and things by any means--good or evil--necessary.
We watch this film on DVD and the quality is perfectly sufficient. |
| Rating | | | Date | February 16, 2005 | | Summary | Independent films of the 60's | Content
| I watch this film repeatedly to feel good. It's simple, strong and to the point. Ralph Nelson, director, was lucky enough to get Poitier to bring vibrant life to the simple novel of William Barrett. Poitier won the Oscar, and most deserved (some may take issue that Albert Finney's Tom Jones should've). One thing that some people miss is the fact that the nuns had been through hell, and so has the Black man. Once they connect, and understand each others' hell (or redemption), life goes on and goodness happens. I take exception with previous reviewers who said the townsfolk were inadequate; Stanley Adams has always been a reliable actor (Summer & Smoke). The new respect for independent film makes me think that this is a better film than we realize. The best thing of all is that any actor, of any color, could play this role. Hispanics play an important part, though none of it is important. Working together, what a concept; even in 1963. I will always be impressed with this film. |
| Rating | | | Date | September 04, 2004 | | Summary | Lillies of the Field | Content
| A simple basic feel good film. Low budget non-glitzy gem. Bravo! |
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