Lilies of the Field
Director: Ralph Nelson. Written by: James Poe. Cast: Sydney Poitier, Lilia Skala, Lisa Mann, Isa Crino. 94 minutes. 1963.
This is one of the last glorious classics of the black and white era in movie-making and also one in which Hollywood paid tributes to Christian faith. Based on a true story, it centres around five Catholic refugee nuns from Eastern Europe living a hard life in a desolate part of the US, attempting to build a chapel, a school and a hospital for the local people. An Afro-American war veteran named Homer Smith enters their world when his car breaks down. He is an itinerant construction worker looking for work. Maria, the East German Mother Superior, believes that ‘Mr Schimidt’ is the answer to their prayers for help. She persuades the selfless Homer into working for them. In the beginning he finds it difficult to adjust with the strict, demanding nun. But he makes up his mind to build the chapel anyway. Homer is a Baptist. The diversity of their races, languages, nationalities and cultures create conflicts between these powerful personalities, often creating comic situations. Homer stays on to finish the chapel by himself. He proves to be a perfect match for the headstrong Mother Maria. Half way through, in a fit of frustration, Homer leaves. The local settlers, mostly Hispanics, step in to help. But they make a mess of things. Homer turns up again, this time to continue the work all by himself. Now Mother Maria is ready to assign the task of building a school to him. But having finished the chapel, Homer takes off, singing his Baptist hymn.
A sparse, straightforward story without any ‘preachy’ tone, Liles of the Field is a warm-hearted comedy that speaks of selfless devotion, human togetherness and the power of faith that unites all.
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Sound of Music
Director: Robert Wise; Cast: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Charmian Carr, Eleanor Parker & others. Music and songs: by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. 174 minutes. 1965.
This is one movie that has remained an all-time favourite with moviegoers around the world and also one that set a record in the box office and won great critical acclaim. Even after half a century, it continues to be a favourite musical. The story is based on the autobiography of Baroness Maria Von Trapp, entitled The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, which presents the life experience of the Austrian Captain Von Trapp, his second wife Maria and their children just before World War II. Maria is an irrepressible orphan who is a postulant in an Austrian convent. She is sent as a governess to the widowed Captain Von Trapp, who has seven children whom he brings up in a rigid, almost military, discipline. The children are naturally mischievous and unruly when they get a chance. Maria’s love of outdoors and of music strikes a chord with the children and she brings laughter, music and joy to the house. She trains the children to sing and organises them as a choir. Against the Captain’s disapproval she presents them for a contest in Salzburg .The Captain too is charmed by the young Maria and they fall in love. The children are happy to have Maria as their new mother. Soon Austria is annexed by Nazi Germany. The Captain is called to join the German navy, which means being a traitor to his beloved Austria. Taking great risks, the family escapes over the mountains into Switzerland. Shot against the beautiful Alpine background of Salzburg, Austria, the film attracts us with its warm human story, much-loved songs, besides being a celebration of freedom and family values. It won six Oscar awards.
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