Common questions

What is lilies of the field about?

What is lilies of the field about?

When traveling African-American handyman Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier) stops by a farm in rural Arizona, he is welcomed by a group of Roman Catholic nuns who have emigrated from Germany. Realizing that the farm needs a lot of work, Homer takes on a number of repair projects for the women, who are led by the headstrong Mother Maria (Lilia Skala). Impressed by Homer’s kindness and strong work ethic, the nuns come to believe that he has been sent by God to help build them a chapel.
Lilies of the Field/Film synopsis

Why is the movie called lilies of the field?

The title comes from Matthew 6:27-33, a portion of the Sermon on the Mount, and its parallel scripture from Luke 12:27-31. It also features an early film score by prolific composer Jerry Goldsmith.

What is the theme of lilies of the field?

Christian Themes The Lilies of the Field is primarily about the power of prayer and faith and the need for humility in accomplishing one’s goals.

How does Lilies of the Field End?

The book ends with a chapter in which Homer (remembered as “Schmidt,” the nuns’ name for him) and his work have become a legendary myth among the townsfolk, in which he is an angel. The painting placed on chapel is of a saint who looks like Homer Schmidt. A TV sequel, Christmas Lilies of the Field, was made in 1979.

What does the Bible say about lilies in the field?

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: The World English Bible translates the passage as: Why are you anxious about clothing?

Did Sidney Poitier actually sing in Lilies of the Field?

Sidney Poitier “sings” throughout the movie. In his autobiography, he states he is tone-deaf – unable to sing on key.

Is lilies of the field a true story?

The novel Lilies of the Field is semi-fictional: based on the true story of the Sisters of Walburga, a group of east German Catholic nuns who up rooted to start a nunnery in Arizona.

Is lilies of the field based on a true story?

The Lilies of the Field is a 1962 novel by William Edmund Barrett, who based his depiction of the sisters, partly upon the Benedictine nuns of the Abbey of St. Walburga, originally located in Boulder Colorado.

Who sang for Sidney Poitier in Lilies of the Field?

Jester Hairston
Sidney Poitier’s singing in “Amen” was dubbed by Jester Hairston, who also composed the song. Hairston is also known for playing Rolly on Sherman Hemsley’s television sitcom Amen (1986). When singing, the nuns were thought to have been too good. They were told to sing worse and sang horribly.

Who are the main characters in the Lilies of the field?

The Lilies of the Field by William Edmund Barrett is about an African American man, German nuns, and their shared goal of making a church in the middle of a desert. The main character, Homer Smith, is a member of the Southern Baptist church and hates being micromanaged. He loves doing what he wants.

Who is Homer in Lilies of the field?

Impressed by Homer’s kindness and strong work ethic, the nuns come to believe that he has been sent by God to help build them a chapel. While traveling through the American southwest in moving from job to job as an itinerant laborer, Homer Smith, a black man, makes a stop in rural Arizona solely for water for his overheating radiator.

What’s the word at the end of Lilies of the field?

At the end of the film, the word “Amen” is seen, rather than “The End”. Of all the fine work done by Sidney Poitier during his heyday, this film stands out as the most accessible, the most likable and the most heartwarming.

Is the building in Lilies of the field real?

The actual building was real and could have stood for decades, but because it was built on rented property, it had to be demolished immediately after the filming was completed. Sidney Poitier “sings” throughout the movie. In his autobiography, he states he is tone-deaf- unable to sing on key.

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Ruth Doyle