Product: Lilies of the Field [VHS] (1963)
Rating: 5.0
Heart-warming
Few films age as well as "Lilies of the Field". I saw it just recently for the first time in over 40 years and to my surprise it has lost none of its charm. It is just as light-hearted, humourous and relevant as I remembered it to be. Themes of racial harmony, brotherhood, community involvement and an honest day's work are still admirable values worth reminding us to practice.Sidney Poitier is the star here. And shine he does. His verbal sparring with Mother Maria (Lilia Skala) is brilliantly acted and memorable. He deservedly won an Oscar for his performance as the itinerant jack-of-all-trades Homer Smith. Lilia Skala's acting is stellar too as the strong-willed nun whose faith and perseverance convinces Homer Smith and others to build a chapel.The DVD itself is okay. Picture quality of this 1963 B&W; film is superb. Subtitles are in Spanish and French. The original trailer is a nice addition too.Overall, "Lilies of the Field" is a wonderful film for the entire family. It really doesn't matter what cultural or religious background you come from or what age group you fit in. My father was a German-American kid taught by Catholic nuns who had fled Nazi Germany, and I suppose there was a shared similarity with the East European nuns depicted in this film when he watched it. My wife is Malaysian, yet she thoroughly enjoyed this film. All of which just goes to show its message is universal and ageless.Get the movie. Read the novellaThe Lilies of the Field By William E. Barrett. Both are a delight.