PERHAPS THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF COURAGE, CONFLICT AND DEVOTION EVER FILMED!

When Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier) makes a stop in the Arizona desert, he meets a group of German-speaking nuns whose mother superior (Lilia Skala) believes that she can make Homer stay and help them build a chapel.

A charming little film that puts its star’s many talents on irresistible display. The story is a battle of wills; Homer may think he’s in charge of his own decisions, but Mother Maria is one tough cookie. The exchanges between Poitier and Skala are fun to watch and the film’s relaxed, friendly approach just as attractive as its portrait of people of different cultures coming together.

The final scene is beautiful and moving.

1963-U.S. 93 min. B/W. Produced and directed by Ralph Nelson. Screenplay: James Poe. Novel: William E. Barrett. Music: Jerry Goldsmith. Song: ”Amen” (Jester Hairston). Cast: Sidney Poitier (Homer Smith), Lilia Skala (Mother Maria), Lisa Mann (Sister Gertrude), Isa Crino, Stanley Adams, Dan Frazer. 

Trivia: As Poitier was tone-deaf, Hairston does his singing voice. Followed by a TV movie, Christmas Lilies of the Field (1979).

Oscar: Best Actor (Poitier). Golden Globe: Best Actor (Poitier). Berlin: Best Actor (Poitier).

Last word: “[Ralph Nelson was] the most organized man I have ever seen. We’d do one, two or three takes and that was it. Ironically, the most takes involved Ralph, himself, as Mr. Ashton. Ralph was nervous – and I think he went up to 15 takes.” (Francesca Jarvis who played one of the nuns, Tucson Citizen)