Watch Lilies of the Field

Lilies of the Field is a timeless classic film from 1963 that stars Sidney Poitier as Homer Smith, a wanderer who finds himself in the Arizona desert. As he camps for the night, he is approached by a group of Catholic nuns who need some help repairing their roof. Although initially hesitant, Homer agrees to help the nuns and becomes drawn into their communal lifestyle.

The nuns, led by the stern but caring mother superior, played by Lilia Skala, are a hilariously disparate group of women who try to teach Homer their ways while he tries to build them a chapel against all odds. Homer is initially skeptical of the nuns and their religious beliefs, but as he spends more time with them, he begins to understand and appreciate their way of life.

Despite the cultural and religious differences between Homer and the nuns, they find common ground in their hardworking and determined natures. The nuns are struggling to make ends meet and keep their small community going, while Homer is a drifter who has never had a permanent home. Despite their differences, they all share a strong sense of determination and the spirit to overcome daunting challenges.

While working on the chapel, Homer's burgeoning relationship with the nuns becomes strained, however, when he pushes back against their attempts to convert him and demands to be paid for his work. The nuns refuse to pay him, arguing that he should do the work out of a sense of charity, which leads to a heated discussion between them. Eventually, Homer comes back to help them out of the goodness of his own heart, and they continue to work together towards a common goal.

Throughout the movie, we see the growing bond that forms between Homer and the nuns, and it becomes clear that they have become family to one another. Lisa Mann, a young orphaned girl in the community, also becomes very attached to Homer and sees him as a father figure. As the nuns struggle to complete the chapel in time for a visit from the bishop, Homer is their only hope, and they know they must rely on his technical skills and problem-solving abilities to succeed.

The film is an excellent portrayal of the collision of two different cultures, as Homer is drawn into the isolated world of the nuns and their humble existence in the middle of nowhere. The movie sensitively explores themes of faith, trust, and respect for others. We see the nuns' unwavering faith and resilience in the face of adversity, and the story is inspiring, heartwarming and poignant for viewers of all ages.

Notably, Sidney Poitier became the first black actor to win an Oscar for Best Actor, for his captivating performance in the film. The movie's music, especially the popular lighthearted tune "Amen," has also gone on to become iconic and widely recognized.

In summary, Lilies of the Field is a classic movie that has stood the test of time. It is a heartwarming and inspiring story of two very different groups of people coming together towards a common goal, and the themes of faith, trust, and respect for one another continue to resonate with modern audiences. The performances by Sidney Poitier, Lilia Skala, and Lisa Mann are all outstanding, and the movie's message of hope and perseverance is as relevant today as it was over fifty years ago.

Lilies of the Field is a 1963 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 61.