While not the most plausible of tales, Ralph Nelson's adaptation of William E. Barrett's novel about an itinerant handyman (Sidney Poitier in an Oscar-winning role) shanghaied by a quintet of German nuns in the Arizona desert into building a chapel, still has the power to move the spirit, as they say, thanks to a winning combination of humor and heart. Lilia Skalia shines as the scowl-faced Mother Superior, but even she is clearly playing second harp to Poitier, whose centerpiece scene teaching the somewhat rigid sisters a down home soul-inflected spiritual is the film's toe-tapping highlight. Presented in widescreen format, with Dolby Digital mono sound, this 1963 b&w favorite is definitely recommended. (R. Pitman)[DVD Review—Nov. 3, 2015—Kino Lorber, 95 min., not rated, $19.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD, 1963's Lilies of the Field features a fine transfer and a Dolby Digital soundtrack, but no extras. Bottom line: a good replacement for the out-of-print MGM 2001 edition.]
[Blu-ray Review—July 28, 2021—Kino Lorber, 94 min., not rated, Blu-ray: $24.95—Making its latest appearance on Blu-ray (following a limited edition release that sold out), Lilies of the Field (1963) features an excellent transfer and extras including an audio commentary by film historian and critic Sergio Mims. Bottom line: this classic film with an Oscar-winning performance by Sidney Poitier sparkles on Blu-ray.]