Lilies of the Field is a 1963 American film adapted by James Poe from the 1962 novel of the same name by William Edmund Barrett. It tells the story of an African American itinerant worker who encounters a group of East German nuns, who believe he has been sent to them by God to build them a new chapel. In 2020, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being ‘culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant’
About Lilies of the Field (1963 film) in brief
Lilies of the Field is a 1963 American film adapted by James Poe from the 1962 novel of the same name by William Edmund Barrett. It tells the story of an African American itinerant worker who encounters a group of East German nuns, who believe he has been sent to them by God to build them a new chapel. The film was turned into a Broadway musical in 1970, retitled Look to the Lilies, with Shirley Booth in the role of Mother Maria Marthe. In 2020, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being ‘culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant’ It was produced and directed by Ralph Nelson. The title comes from Matthew 6: 27-33, a portion of the Sermon on the Mount, and its parallel scripture from Luke 12:27-30. It also features an early film score by prolific composer Jerry Goldsmith, and stars Sidney Poitier, Lilia Skala, Stanley Adams, and Dan Frazer.
The nuns have essentially no money and subsist by living off the land, on what vegetables the arid climate provides, and some milk and eggs. As Smith’s skills and strengths become apparent to the nuns, they come to believe that he’s been sent by God. Smith is invited to attend the Catholic Mass, celebrated by a roving priest not in a church but outdoors, but he declines because he is a Baptist. Smith gets a part-time job with the nearby construction company to buy some food to supplement the spartan diet the nuns are able to provide. He teaches them to join him in the call-and-response song ‘A Jester Hairston’ Smith is determined that the building will be constructed to the highest standards.
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