Lilies of the Field is a 1963 American comedy-drama film directed and produced by Ralph Nelson, adapted by James Poe from William Edmund Barrett’s 1962 novel of the same name.

Starring Sidney Poitier, Lilia Skala, Stanley Adams, and Dan Frazer, the film takes its title from the Bible’s Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:27–33 and Luke 12:27–31).

The nuns, who speak little English, humorously dub him “Schmidt” (the German equivalent of Smith) and invite him to stay for meals, slowly endearing themselves to him.

Through interactions with locals, including Juan, a café owner, and a traveling priest, Homer learns of the nuns’ harrowing escape from behind the Iron Curtain and their impoverished existence.

Despite their inability to pay, he begrudgingly prolongs his stay, lured by the challenge of building a chapel for the nearby Mexican American community, whose nearest church is miles away.

On the eve of the dedication, Mother Maria subtly implores him to stay, but Homer, aware their partnership has reached its natural end, departs quietly at nightfall.

[5] The church doors featured in the film were borrowed from the Chapel in Sasabe, Arizona, and were carved by local Tucson artist Charles Bolsius.