Rating: 
Summary: Lillies of the Field
Review: A simple basic feel good film. Low budget non-glitzy gem. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: A true Classic
Review: "But Daddy where is the color?" I watched this movie the first time in 1963, and being a guy I really wasn't suposed to like it. I was 16 at the time and it was the first time that I have seen Sidney Poitier or any black actor in a serious role. Plus this was in Europe. We had no idea about the segregation in the USA. In the mean time whenever I feel a bit in the dump I look at this movie again. Anyway I got 2 teenagers girls 12 and boy 17 and this movie got them away from MTV and the cartoon channel and afterwards they where singing "Amen" making up there own bible verse lyrik along the way. Excellent acting and still capturing Generations
Rating:
Summary: Poitier's best
Review: "Lilies of the Field" is a great movie. Even though it's in black and white, this movie puts the viewer right in the action. If you've attended Catholic school, you can really identify with the toughness of the German nuns. All characters are believable, and the acting is first rate. I heartily recommend this movie to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Delightful!
Review: A black man (Sidney) is passing through town minding his own business...but some German Sisters catch him in their grips like powerful sticky hooks, and will not let him go until God's plan is fulfilled.The German Sisters feel that (Sidney) is a God-send. This is the man who will build their chapel, their black angel, God's carpenter. ALLELUIA!!!!!!!!!! (Sidney) tries to leave many times, but God's plan is so apparent that something always stands in his way...not only that, but the sisters make him feel guilty about leaving. He was sent to them from GOD. The relationship that develops between he and the sisters is beautiful and humorous at times. When he sings 'AMEN' one cannot help but Know he was meant to be there. This is a movie about faith and love. How the most unconventional relationships can be the most fulfilling, brilliant, Godly, unforgotten. A simple man passing through town learns that living for himself is not enough. He is in town long enough to build a chapel, build relationships, find a purpose. When the chapel is built, he leaves once again to find whatever it was he was searching for...
but the viewer knows he shall never be the same. AMEN
Rating:
Summary: A Heart-Tugging Look at the Value of One Man at Work
Review: A great movie. I don't understand why they don't show it more often. Sidney Poitier's character in this movie harkens back to his performance in "To Sir with Love." Also gives a nostalgic look at the American West. If you don't buy this excellent movie, make sure to rent it sometime. You'll enjoy it!
Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming - one of the finest movies I have seen
Review: A wonderful storyline replete with contrasts always merging differences in a heartwarming style that makes this movie one of the finest movies that I have seen. The black and white format adds significantly to the charm and character of the movie. Sidney Portier is certainly one of the finest actors to have appeared on the big screen. A wonderful story, well acted, and leaves a heartfelt desire to see it again.
Rating:
Summary: Antidote to worthless junk on VHS today!!
Review: After reading Sidney Poitier's recent memoir "Measure of a Man," interest in this film was rekindled. Does this black and white, 1960's film stand up in these contemporary times? Not only does it stand up, it stands up with a pride and dignity that puts most of today's lame Hollywood efforts to shame! This is a simple story, but it is proof that a simple story, illuminating simple human truths, if told well, can go on to live powerfully in one's memory. A wandering man inadvertendly stumbles onto a convent of nuns who believe that he has been "sent" to build their long awaited church. His better sense tells him to move on. His heart tricks him into staying. A crazy idea gradually transforms into a collective project, and the embodiment of a dream fulfilled. I also like that Poitier's character is so well defined and developed that the fact that he is black and the nuns are white does not factor one bit into the telling of the story. Interestingly, Poitier points out in his memoir that the production of this film oddly anticipated the story it told. The director was given a paltry sum to make the movie, since producers were convinced it would not be successful. Rather than conclude that the budget was too tight, the director carried on, asking the cast and crew to make extraordinary sacrifices, including unpaid rehearsal (in violation of actors' union rules). But such was the faith of those committed to bringing "Lillies of the Field" to screen. Such was the faith portrayed in the film. So, in effect, a wondrous film that simply HAD to find its way to realization. Great for the whole family in an era of aggressively marketed trash.
Rating:
Summary: Another Poitier Triumph
Review: Although highly regarded in its day, "Lilies of the Field" is now considered a relic of the civil rights era or Hollywood's token Oscar "gesture" to a Black performer. This is unfortunate, since it underrates both the film and Poitier's textured performance. "Lilies..." is a simple, funny and touching story that emphasizes respect for the differences in people. Lilia Skala gives a powerhouse performance as the Mother Superior, almost stealing the film from Poitier. She gives just the right measures of rage and prideful determination to make her character sadly noble. Hers is one of the most memorable supporting performances on film, and she deserved an Oscar as well. But this is Poitier's show, and he gives the character of Homer humor, rebeliousness and magnanimity that make him unique in films. Rather than the usual angry political stance Hollywood takes with anything involving race, this character is presented as simple, decent, a little lost, but just an average man doing the best he can. There's nothing "special" about him, which makes the character (and Poitier's performance) special and memorable. Of note in this edition, the digital transfer of the film is especially crisp and vivid, not the usual slack job MGM does with these older films. Unfortunately, there are almost no extras, and it would have been great to have a commentary by Poitier to listen to. Still, this is a memorable film for the whole family. Makes me wanna holler.
Rating:
Summary: Another Poitier Triumph
Review: Although highly regarded in its day, "Lilies of the Field" is now considered a relic of the civil rights era or Hollywood's token Oscar "gesture" to a Black performer. This is unfortunate, since it underrates both the film and Poitier's textured performance. "Lilies..." is a simple, funny and touching story that emphasizes respect for the differences in people. Lilia Skala gives a powerhouse performance as the Mother Superior, almost stealing the film from Poitier. She gives just the right measures of rage and prideful determination to make her character sadly noble. Hers is one of the most memorable supporting performances on film, and she deserved an Oscar as well. But this is Poitier's show, and he gives the character of Homer humor, rebeliousness and magnanimity that make him unique in films. Rather than the usual angry political stance Hollywood takes with anything involving race, this character is presented as simple, decent, a little lost, but just an average man doing the best he can. There's nothing "special" about him, which makes the character (and Poitier's performance) special and memorable. Of note in this edition, the digital transfer of the film is especially crisp and vivid, not the usual slack job MGM does with these older films. Unfortunately, there are almost no extras, and it would have been great to have a commentary by Poitier to listen to. Still, this is a memorable film for the whole family. Makes me wanna holler.
Rating:
Summary: A True Classic
Review: Although I haven't watched this movie in a while, it is a true "gather the family around" classic. I bought it for my father last Christmas, because he always spoke about how much he had enjoyed it when it first came out. This is a film for all generations and ethnic groups -- timeless! Amen, Amen, Amen.
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