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Lilies of the Field Overview:

Lilies of the Field (1963) was a Drama - Comedy Film directed by Ralph Nelson and produced by Ralph Nelson and J. Paul Popkin.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by William Edmund Barrett published in 1962.

Academy Awards 1963 --- Ceremony Number 36 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorSidney PoitierWon
Best Supporting ActressLilia SkalaNominated
Best CinematographyErnest HallerNominated
Best PictureRalph Nelson, ProducerNominated
Best WritingJames PoeNominated
See More Oscar Winners

Lilies of the Field BlogHub Articles:

Lilies of the Field (1963): Starring Sidney Poitier

By 4 Star Film Fan on Feb 1, 2022 From 4 Star Films

The ample joys of Lilies of the Field come out of it being a kind of modern-day parable. It’s a modest and simple story, shot over 15 days by director Ralph Nelson, with a source novel gaining inspiration from the passage of the Christian scripture: “Consider the lilies of the field, how... Read full article

Lilies of the Field (1963)

By Beatrice on Jan 13, 2018 From Flickers in Time

Lilies of the Field Directed by Ralph Nelson Written by James Poe from a novel by William E. Barret 1963/USA Rainbow Productions Repeat viewing/Netflix rental Here’s another one I saw in my youth.  I still love the humor and Sidney Portier’s performance. Homer Smith (Portier) is dr... Read full article

Lilies of the Field (1963)

By Crystal J. Anderson on Oct 5, 2012 From Classic Film Review

Director: Ralph Nelson Writers: William Edmund Garrett (novel) and James Poe (screenplay) Music: Jerry Goldsmith Theme Song: “Amen” composed by Jester Harrison Genre: Drama/Comedy Main Cast: Sidney Poitier - Homer Smith (“Schmidt”) Lilia Skala - Mother Maria Lisa Mann – Sis... Read full article

Lilies of the Field

By Alyson on Dec 14, 2010 From The Best Picture Project

Many times, movies about religion just leave a bitter taste in my mouth.  Their agenda simply becomes preaching, converting the non-believers and depicting the punishments of the unholy.  I don’t care to watch someone give my soul an ultimatum.  Movies are meant to be an escape, that safe place... Read full article

Kino Lorber Studio Classics: Lilies of the Field (1963) and The Organization (1971)

By Raquel Stecher on Nov 30, -0001 From Out of the Past - A Classic Film Blog

Check out my latest YouTube video where I review two Kino Lorber Studio Classics Blu-rays starring Sidney Poitier: Lilies of the Field (1963) and The Organization (1971). I came to really appreciate Lilies of the Field with another viewing on this excellent blu-ray edition. Poitier won an Academy Aw... Read full article

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Lilies of the Field Quotes:

Mother Maria: [the morning after a fiesta] Well, you are awake?
Homer Smith: Yeah, I guess so.
Mother Maria: Good.
[throws a cup of cold water in his face]
Homer Smith: Why'd you go and do that?
Mother Maria: The women last night, they say that is the only thing when a man has been mixing wine with tequila!
[walks away]
Homer Smith: I'm gonna mix you with tequila!
Mr. Ashton: Say, where'd you get all the material?
Juan: The people give them, Senor.
Mr. Ashton: What for?
Juan: A man, he gives wood... bricks. In time, what does he get? A chapel... a place where his children can receive the sacraments. To these men, for their children to have faith, it is important.
Mr. Ashton: Is that why you're here?
Juan: To me, it is insurance. To me, life is here on this earth. I cannot see further, so I cannot believe further. But, if they are right about the hereafter, I have paid my insurance, Senor.
Homer Smith: Gringo? I don't know if that's a step up or a step down from some other things I've been called.
Juan: I cannot see further and I cannot believe further.
[Splashing himself with water outside]
Homer Smith: Oh! Why couldn't they have asked me to build a bathtub? With nice, *hot* water?
See More Quotes from Lilies of the Field
Lilies of the Field Facts
Actor Sidney Poitier gave up his usual salary and agreed to do the film for a smaller amount and a percentage of the profits. He won the Best Actor Oscar for his efforts.
Filmed on location in the City of Tucson. The church doors were borrowed from the Chapel in Sasabe, Arizona.
Shot on location in Arizona in only 14 days.
When singing, the nuns were thought to have been too good. They were told to sing worse and sang horribly. The scene was dubbed over after the voices were flattened in editing.
Since the story's action was tied to the chapel's construction, crew had to work through the night to keep up with it "progress" in the film. The actual building was real and could have stood for decades, but because it was built on rented property, it had to be demolished immediately after the filming was completed.
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