Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Nice effects though.

Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Homer Smith (Poitier) is driving along a hot desert highway when he realizes that he needs water for his car radiator. He pulls up to a remote convent of German-speaking Catholic nuns. Poor, unsuspecting Homer thinks he'll just get the water and be on his way. But it soon becomes apparent that he's going to be roped into doing work for the Lord.Despite the movie's religious theme, this is not an hour-plus long sermon. This is a charming, humorous, wonderful movie. As usual, Poitier embodies his character with naturalness and ease. Though Homer tries his best to stay independent, arguing and threatening to leave the Catholic group on any number of occasions, he's also charmed by the innocent, and at times childlike, sisters. I loved watching Homer scrap with the hard-nosed Mother Superior in particular, whom he sarcastically calls "Mama". They are both stubborn people, for different reasons. She orders him to go to Mass ("I'm a BAPTIST!", he responds, but he goes!), and her declaration that he will be building their chapel sends him into a hilarious temper tantrum. But the viewer already knows he's in for it… Still, we don't anticipate the wonderful events that unfold around the building of it, and the insights we get into Homer Smith's character.I love the scene where the nuns ask Homer to play the guitar. He picks it up and strums, "Frankie and Johnny were looo-verrs…" The nuns sit looking at him silently, blankly. Homer quickly stops himself, looking as if he were wishing there were a hole he could crawl into.If one were especially philosophical, he or she could see this film and think of a higher theme, where there are times when each of gets into life situations where we fight and feel helpless, but in the end it was all "meant to be", for a higher purpose. But even without trying to get any deeper meaning out of it, Lilies of the Field is just a funny film with well-drawn characters that's worth a watch.

Beautiful movie with such clever overtones. There is an art about this movie you don't see anymore in the ham-fisted movies of today. Thoroughly enjoyable. Pointer and the Mother Superior actress turn in excellent performances for which Pointer won an Oscar. Well deserved, but I thought the Mother Superior actress deserved one too. The supporting roles of nuns, a restaurant owner and tired priest are very well done. Touches of humor are balanced with earnestness in the script. The story is simple: a group of 6 nuns has traveled to America to build a chapel in the barren West. They have little but a tract of land, a ruin, a "motherhouse" and faith, but it all works.

An out of work contractor (Sidney Poitier) happens upon an ODD group of nuns. After all, they are five East German nuns in the middle of the Arizona desert! While the nuns have no money and you have no idea why he stays, this Baptist man stays and helps them complete their chapel."Lilies of the Field" is a nice film filled with nice people doing nice things. It can't help but be a movie that people would enjoy, as it has a nice message and nice acting. However, I can't quite see why Sidney Poitier won the Oscar for Best Actor, as the film really didn't seem to take any risks and certainly won't offend. His performance was good but I think he certainly did a lot better, such as in "In the Heat of the Night" or "Edge of the City" or "Pressure Point"--all films which had a much riskier message and required more skill on Poitier's part. Mind you, I liked "Lilies of the Field"--I just didn't feel it was a particularly noteworthy film--though it is a nice family picture.

Godsent Homer Smith builds a chapel to five nuns from East Germany.There's the plot in short of this movie.Lillies of the Field (1963) is directed by Ralph Nelson.It's based on the 1962 novel by William Edmund Barrett.Sidney Poitier, who turned 85 last month, gives a terrific performance as Homer.He was the first African American man to win an Oscar.Lilia Skala, who earned a nomination, is superb as Mother Maria.Also great job from other nun performers (Lisa Mann, Isa Crino, Francesca Jarvis and Pamela Branch).Stanley Adams is excellent as Juan.Dan Frazer, who passed away last December at the age of 90, is brilliant as Father Murphy.Director Nelson himself plays the part of Mr. Ashton, and he's great.Jerry Goldsmith is behind the music.I liked this movie.Especially I enjoyed when they started singing "Amen".That Poitier fellow can really sing! This movie leaves you with a nice feeling.