Amazon.com essential video: Sidney Poitier won an Oscar for this endearing movie about a handyman who thinks he's just passing through a little town in New Mexico, and ends up staying awhile to build a chapel for a cluster of German-speaking nuns. The renowned actor is highly entertaining in his combative exchanges with Lilia Skala, playing a Mother Superior who survived Hitler and makes no bones about bullying the goodhearted, itinerant worker into doing more and more for her. The film has an ambling, easygoing style with several memorable moments, not least of all is Poitier leading his holy hostesses through verses of the gospel song "Amen." Lilies is directed by the late Ralph Nelson, a pioneering director of live television who also made a number of popular feature films with notable performances (Jackie Gleason in Requiem for a Heavyweight, Cary Grant in Father Goose, Cliff Robertson in Charly) in the 1960s and 1970s. --Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - One of my favourites.
What a wonderful actor is Sidney Poiter , he could play any part. The story of the building of that chapel was excellent and how he won the Nuns over , it is in my view one of the Noir classics and I am alover of those older movies, good heart felt actors an great story lines I could watch some of my collections over and over. I knew what the story was about before I bought it and when I saw it for sale I was very pleased . To anyone who thinks Sidney is a great actor will certainly enjoy this film . I also have Defiant Ones starring him and Tony Curtis (Excellent ) and Guess Who,s Coming to ... Read More
Rating: - A Charming, Touching Movie
This is one of my favorite films of all time, and I think the whole cast does a wonderful job of carrying the movie. It is the story of a group of German speaking nuns who need a miracle in order to build a church in a poor, desert town. The miracle comes in the form of an itinerant jack of all trades played by Poitier, whose faith is a little shabby around the edges. There is a lot of humor as the Mother Superior resorts to a little manipulation in order to see the church completed. Both Scala's character and Poitier's learn that they both needed to rely more on faith, and less on their own power. ... Read More
Rating: - Not my favorite Poitier film
I think the point of this film is about faith. Everyone likes a good miracle movie. Right? Well, not quite. There was plenty of cringe worthy moments regarding race. Mr. Ashton calling Homer 'boy' and then telling the nuns that Smith was lazy and shiftless-but still wanted him to work for him. (Weird.) I hated the scenes where he was just shuffling to please them. And I didn't understand why Mother Maria simply couldn't say 'Thank You' especially when she was begging for everything. Out of all the good roles Poitier has played, they give him the Oscar for when he played a good field slave doing ... Read More
Rating: - Classic Movie, Sidney Poitier
This DVD arrived in a timely fashion. Sidney Poitier is an all time favorite actor of mine;I will enjoy having this DVD in my collection.
Rating: - Classic movie
Love this movie! Ever since I was a child--it talks of behavior, faith, work ethic, community and society. Would have loved some extras, though. Like an interview with Mr. Poitier on his memories in making the movie
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