The Story of Lilies of the Field
When Homer Smith—a resourceful, easygoing handyman—finds himself stranded in a small Arizona desert town, he doesn't expect to become the answer to anyone's prayers. Yet that's exactly what happens when he encounters a spirited group of East German nuns led by the formidable Mother Maria Marthe, played by Lilia Skala. The nuns, who've somehow convinced themselves that Homer has been sent by divine providence, have a mission: build them a chapel. No money. No materials. No prior commitment from Homer. Just faith, determination, and the kind of quiet pressure that only a nun can apply. What unfolds is a story about labor, belonging, and the unexpected ways strangers can transform each other's lives—wrapped in comedy that never feels forced, and drama that never tips into melodrama.
The film's title draws from the Sermon on the Mount, a biblical reference that anchors the story's spiritual undertones without ever becoming preachy. Homer's journey isn't really about religion in the doctrinal sense; it's about what we owe each other, what we're capable of when someone believes in us, and whether a man without a home can find one in the act of building something sacred for others. Sixty years later, that theme still lands.
Behind the Making of Lilies of the Field
Ralph Nelson directed and produced this 1963 adaptation of William Edmund Barrett's 1962 novel, with a screenplay by James Poe that captures the book's warmth while opening it up for cinema. The production was modest by Hollywood standards—a desert shoot, a small cast, and a story that could've easily felt like a Sunday-school special in less careful hands. Instead, Nelson crafted something genuinely moving. The film earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song ("Lilies of the Field"), and went on to accumulate 13 wins and 13 nominations across various awards bodies, a testament to its cultural resonance at the time.
What's particularly striking is that Sidney Poitier won the Academy Award for Best Actor—making him the first Black man to win in that category. This wasn't a footnote in his career; it was a watershed moment in Hollywood history. Yet the film itself resists the weight of that historical significance. Poitier's performance is so natural, so unforced, that you forget you're watching a landmark. He's simply Homer—charming, capable, a little wary, and gradually won over by the nuns' infectious belief in him. Lilia Skala, an Austrian-American actress, brings a steely warmth to Mother Maria Marthe. The supporting cast—including Lisa Mann, Isa Crino, Francesca Jarvis, Pamela Branch, and Stanley Adams—creates an ensemble that feels lived-in rather than theatrical. Rated Approved by the MPAA, the film's 90-minute runtime moves with purpose; there's no filler, no scene that doesn't earn its place.
What Makes Lilies of the Field Stand Out
Here's what's striking about revisiting this film: it's one of Poitier's lighter vehicles, and that's precisely why it works so well. Many of his most celebrated roles—and rightfully so—grapple with racism, injustice, and the weight of being a Black man navigating a prejudiced society. Those films matter enormously. But Lilies of the Field doesn't carry that same burden. It's a comedy-drama in the truest sense, allowing Poitier to be funny, to be exasperated, to be charmed by the absurdity of his situation without the film needing to make a grand statement about anything. When Homer realizes he's been subtly manipulated into this chapel project, his bemused reaction is comedy gold—and it's also deeply human.
The Rotten Tomatoes score of 92% Fresh speaks to something real: critics then and now recognize that the film's emotional core is genuine. The Metascore of 61 suggests a more mixed critical reception in retrospect, but that gap tells you something too—this is a film that audiences love more than some critics do, which often means it's touching something true that transcends academic analysis. What's remarkable is how the film handles its spiritual themes without sermonizing. Homer doesn't have a crisis of faith or a conversion arc. He simply shows up, does the work, and discovers something about himself in the process. The chapel becomes less about religion and more about the idea that we're all building something together, whether we intended to or not.
Skala's performance deserves special mention here. Mother Maria Marthe is a character who could've been played as a caricature—the stern, demanding nun—but instead she's portrayed with a kind of loving stubbornness. She sees something in Homer that he doesn't yet see in himself, and she's willing to drive him a little crazy to help him find it. The chemistry between Poitier and Skala is one of the film's greatest assets; they genuinely seem to enjoy sparring with each other.
Where to Stream Lilies of the Field Online
If you're ready to experience this 1963 classic, you'll find it currently available on Prime Video. The film's availability can shift depending on your region and licensing agreements, so Movie OTT tracks where it's streaming in real time—check the "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page to confirm it's available in your area. At 90 minutes, it's a perfect length for a weeknight viewing, and it holds up remarkably well. The black-and-white cinematography gives it a timeless quality that actually enhances the desert setting; you're not distracted by color grading choices, just absorbed into Homer's world.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Did Sidney Poitier win an Oscar for Lilies of the Field?
Yes. Poitier won the Academy Award for Best Actor, becoming the first Black man to win in that category. The film also won Best Original Song for "Lilies of the Field," composed by Hy Zaret and Jerry Livingston.
Q: Is Lilies of the Field based on a true story?
No, it's based on William Edmund Barrett's 1962 novel of the same name. However, the story's themes—faith, labor, and community—draw on universal human experiences rather than a specific historical event.
Q: What's the runtime of Lilies of the Field?
The film runs 90 minutes, making it a lean, purposeful drama that doesn't overstay its welcome.
Q: Who directed Lilies of the Field?
Ralph Nelson both directed and produced the film. He also wrote the screenplay alongside James Poe's adaptation of Barrett's novel.
Q: Is Lilies of the Field appropriate for family viewing?
Yes. The film is rated Approved by the MPAA and contains no violence, profanity, or adult content. It's a genuinely wholesome watch that doesn't feel dated in its morality.
Final Thoughts on Lilies of the Field
What's most remarkable about Lilies of the Field is how it refuses to be small. It's a intimate story about a handful of people in the Arizona desert, yet it speaks to something universal about faith, work, and human connection. It doesn't lecture you. It doesn't demand that you believe what Homer comes to believe. It simply shows you a man who arrives as a stranger and leaves having built something that matters—not just the chapel, but a place for himself in the lives of others. That's a story worth revisiting. It's why audiences in 1963 embraced it, and why it still works today. Watch it for Poitier's naturalism, for Skala's quiet strength, for a moment in cinema when a film could be both entertaining and genuinely moving without apology.
