Field Lilies (film, 1963)

A young African American, Homer Smith, traveling in a desert area somewhere in Arizona , calls in a farm where several nuns live in search of water for his car. Their mother, Maria, turns to Smith, calling him Schmidt in the German manner, and in an orderly tone demands help from him. Surprised by this attitude, an African-American leaves, but after a while he returns and agrees to work for a day for a fee for the sisters. After repairing the roof at the request of the latter, he invoices, but mother Mary, not paying any attention to it, invites the hero to dinner. In a subsequent conversation, Homer learns that women came from Germany , Austria and Hungary , especially to serve the church, and they have English problems. He begins to learn them in his own way, without the help of a gramophone , which causes joy among the sisters.

Then he realized that his mother was not going to pay him a cent , Homer announces his departure, but the woman shows him a drawing and says that she wants to build a church with him. Forcing the surprised hero to start work, she leaves. In the evening, trying to convince each other of their innocence, Mary and Smith begin to exchange quotes from the Bible , and in response to Homer's words that he is poor and cannot just work, a woman forces him to read a passage from the Gospel of Matthew ( Matt. 6:27 - 33 ) about field lilies. To the silent hero, mother Maria reports that tomorrow he must take them to the Catholic Mass in the city, otherwise they will have to do this on foot. Homer is a Baptist , but he takes women to the city, hoping to have a snack there, because the food on the farm is very, very scarce.

Arriving in the town, he sees in front of him the father of Murphy and a mobile church. Entering a local cafe, Smith, from a host named Juan, discovers that women came from Eastern Europe, from behind the Wall , after a local farmer gave them land. Then, from Father Murphy, he learns that mother Mary told everyone about the plans for the construction of the church.

When, upon arrival, the women gather near the house and begin to sing, Homer approaches to listen, and then, in response to a request to sing something, agrees and asks the sisters to help him with the refrain. Together they perform the song “Amen” by Jester Hairston .

The next morning, Smith takes the women, who want to ask the local construction contractor Mr. Ashton to help with building materials, in the town of Norfolk. Noticing the construction equipment, Homer, in need of means for normal food, offers his services to Ashton, to which he responds with consent. Returning to the farm, Smith agrees to the construction of the church, informing mother Mary that much more materials are needed than there is. In response, women begin to collectively write letters to various charitable organizations asking for help. Having gone to the city twice a week to work, Smith, among other things, buys refreshments for his sisters. At the next Mass, the hero is introduced to local residents and told about the ongoing construction. But here the building materials are ending, instead of help, only failures come, and Homer does not stand up, blaming mother Mary for everything. Comparing her actions with Hitler, he leaves.

Weeks pass, the sisters' life is gradually returning to its previous course, but during the next walk to Mass they are picked up by Smith. Proud, they arrive at the service. Gradually, after hearing about the work that has begun, local believers are drawn to the construction site, everyone helps, than they can, with building materials or offering their services. Homer, who once wanted to become an architect himself, but missed a chance, is jealous of local attempts to join the process, claiming that he alone can finish the construction. Over time, he gives up and agrees to help. Ashton also surrenders, who brings a beautiful brick car to build. At the end of the construction, Smith himself erects a cross on the roof of the church and writes his name on the cement in its base. Murphy's father arrives and, surprised, thanks Smith and the sisters for everything.

In the evening, Homer gives a farewell English lesson for the sisters, trying with the help of learned phrases to make them admit that it was he who built the church. Then he drags in the very song, “Amen,” the women catch up, and while the singing lasts, Homer Smith quietly leaves their house. Only the shocked mother Maria notices his departure and departure, but does nothing this time to stop the hero.

• Field Lilies on the Internet Movie Database  
• Field Lilies (English) on allmovie  
• Field Lilies on Rotten Tomatoes