Review of Lilies of the Field

Strange but true! On a cold cloudy March Saturday morning in 1974 I went to work for my Dad at his Boiler and heating company in Ozone Park,New York. My father acting as a General in the military, barking out the orders had about 12 men in his employ and sent them out to various locations throughout the New York metropolitan vicinity. I was sent with a crew of four to Jamaica, Queens to erect a brick wall to separate the newly added boiler room in a textile company. When I arrived at the factory, there were palates filled with cement bags and cinder blocks as far as the eyes can see. All day long I was mixing concrete and lifting blocks. When the long day was over I came home sore and tired. Put on the Television and saw a Black man arguing with a group of Nuns in the American southwest. Noticed the same cement cinder blocks and; well; my attention was held for the next 90 minutes. Sidney Poitier plays an unemployed heavy equipment operator Homer Smith who's station wagon just happens to overheat at the out-of-the way convent. Mother Maria (Lilia Skala) claims that Homer Smith or as she calls him "Schmidt" was brought here by divine intervention. She pesters him to all ends with demands on building a new house of worship. Smith gives in and agrees to build a chapel. I could feel his solitude and pain in that hot desert sun carrying bricks and mortar. The Arayaan Sisters in her Black Habits and poor Smith taking the complaining all day made this movie so plausible. Great supporting role by Stanley Adams as the philosophical cafe owner Juan. Mr. Ashton (Ralph Nelson) who currently employs Smith is amazed by the teamwork and moral obligations by the local people,(Mainly of Mexican decent), of this area give what they can in order to help Smith build with Bricks, wood, and in time a chapel sprouts up among the desert sands for all to see. Our heavy set cafe owner goes on."A place where children can receive the sacraments.For these men, for their children to have faith, it is important.To me it is insurance. To me life is here on Earth. I cannot see further. But, if there right about the hereafter. I've paid my insurance." You watch a chapel being built. First by the lonely Smith and little by little everyone joins in. Love the evening English lessons Smith gives the European sisters and rewards them with lollipops. The AMEN song is infectious and pleasing to the ear. Just a good feeling for a passerby in a station wagon who makes a difference in this small remote region of America. I give this one 7 church bells. AMEN!