NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (August 2021): Kino have transferred Ralph Nelson's Lilies of the Field to Blu-ray. It is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate and look excellent. Black levels are deep and rich, there is consistent textures and the 1080P visuals come through clean and film-like. No issues at all - this is a fine HD presentation probably equal to, or superior than, the Twilight Time.

NOTE: We have added 36 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (16-bit) in the original English language. Lilies of the Field has only construction sounds and cars as modestly aggressive effects plus a wonderful score by Jerry Goldsmith (Link, Breakout, The Salamander, The Mephisto Waltz, Seconds, Hoosiers, The Blue Max, Breakheart Pass, The Omen) with the Baptist "Amen" sung by Sidney Poitier (dubbed by Jester Hairston) and sung by the nuns. Kino offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Sergio Mims. He traces the careers of Poitier, Ralph Nelson, Lilia Skala and other members of the cast and crew, he discusses certain scenes and much more on how this production evolved. Yes, that is Ralph Nelson as the contractor Mr. Ashton who helps build the Chapel. It's relaxed and very informative. I like Mims approach as a commentarist. There is also a trailer for the film.   

Ralph Nelson's Lilies of the Field was a real gamble for the director/producer with a modest $250,000 studio budget (down from 1/2 a million) - getting Poitier to accept profit-sharing and the director putting up his house as collateral. Nelson was quite taken with the William Barrett story envisioning it as an important family film with subtext. It's fairly simple - shot in only 14-days and doesn't venture to strongly addressing racial issues. The theme of multiculturalism is expressed with German nuns, Mexican Catholics, Irish priest and black southern Baptist (ex G.I.) working together to complete the Chapel project. It remains a heart-warming effort nominated for many Academy Awards with 1963's Best Actor Oscar going to Poitier. A beautiful film. Nelson deserves more discussion as the director of Soldier Blue, Charly, The Wilby Conspiracy, Duel at Diablo (another teaming with Poitier), Fate is the Hunter, Father Goose, Soldier in the Rain and Tick, Tick, Tick. The Kino Blu-ray has upper-tier a/v and a commentary as a valued supplement. Strongly recommended!

Gary Tooze