Lilies of the Field
1963 · Movie · NR · 94 min · ★ 7.2 · 77% critics
A stranded traveler stops at a remote desert farm for water and meets a small community of Catholic nuns with a big dream. Convinced he’s been sent to help, they pull him into a stubborn, funny clash of wills that turns into an unlikely partnership and a shared project for the surrounding community.
Based on Lilies of the Field
Also known as Piety in the Sky · The Amen Man · The Mischief Maker
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Details
- Years
- 1963
- Release date
- 1963-06-04
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 94 min
- Max quality
- HD
- Critic score
- 77/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.2/10 (222 votes)
About
If you enjoy gentle, faith-tinged feel-good classics about unlikely friendships and people coming together, this should land well; Not for you if you want sharp conflict or edge—try it if you like Pollyanna or The Bishop's Wife.
Pros: warm humor and heart; uplifting community spirit; memorable singing moments | Cons: heavy-handed at times; simple, low-tension story; uneven comedic bits
Themes
- based on novel or book
- nun
- arizona
- homelessness
- farm life
- chapel
- religion
- racism
- desert
- mother superior
- theme song
- ruins
- +12 more
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1964
- Golden Globe Award — Best Film Promoting International Understanding · 1964
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1964 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1964 · nominated
Show all 8 awards →
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 1964 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Cinematography, Black-and-White · 1964 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actress · 1964 · nominated
Cast & crew
Sidney Poitier
as Homer Smith
Lilia Skala
as Mother Maria
Lisa Mann
as Sister Gertrude
- IC
Isa Crino
as Sister Agnes
Francesca Jarvis
as Sister Albertine
Pamela Branch
as Sister Elizabeth
Stanley Adams
as Juan Acolito
Dan Frazer
as Father Murphy
Bobby Driscoll
as Mexican Holding Chapel Door (uncredited)
Ralph Nelson
as Mr. Ashton (uncredited)
Directed by Ralph Nelson