Lilies of the Field
Homer Smith, an unemployed construction worker heading out west, stops at a remote farm in the desert to get water when his car overheats. The farm is being worked by a group of East European Catholic nuns, headed by the strict Mother Maria, who believes that Homer has been sent by God to build a much-needed church in the desert...
Despite its microbudget of $247K, Lilies of the Field became a massive hit, earning $7.0M worldwide—a remarkable 2734% return. The film's innovative storytelling engaged audiences, demonstrating that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
1 Oscar. 13 wins & 13 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Lilies of the Field (1963) exhibits precise narrative architecture, characteristic of Ralph Nelson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 34 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Homer Smith drives alone through the Arizona desert in his station wagon, a free-spirited wanderer with no obligations or commitments. He is self-sufficient, independent, and answerable to no one.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Mother Maria assumes Homer will stay and work for them, offering only room and board. Homer protests he never agreed to this, but she insists God sent him. His freedom is suddenly constrained by her expectation and moral pressure.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Homer makes the active choice to stay and help build the chapel. He commits to the project not because he has to, but because something in him wants to. This marks his entry into a world of community and purpose., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The chapel walls are rising and the community is rallying around the project. It appears the dream might actually come true. Homer is celebrated and needed. This false victory makes him feel indispensable, feeding his pride., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, After a major argument with Mother Maria about recognition and control, Homer leaves in the night without saying goodbye. The dream of the chapel appears to die with his departure. The nuns are devastated; the community effort collapses., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 75 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Homer realizes that true freedom is not in running away, but in choosing to serve something greater than himself. He understands that the chapel was never about him or Mother Maria—it was about faith made manifest. He turns back., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Lilies of the Field's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Lilies of the Field against these established plot points, we can identify how Ralph Nelson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Lilies of the Field within the comedy genre.
Ralph Nelson's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Ralph Nelson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Lilies of the Field represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Ralph Nelson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Ralph Nelson analyses, see Father Goose.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Homer Smith drives alone through the Arizona desert in his station wagon, a free-spirited wanderer with no obligations or commitments. He is self-sufficient, independent, and answerable to no one.
Theme
Mother Maria quotes scripture about the lilies of the field, suggesting that providence will provide what is needed. The theme of faith versus self-reliance is introduced through her certainty that Homer was sent to help them.
Worldbuilding
Homer stops at a desert farm run by five German nuns who barely speak English. We learn he is a skilled handyman and Baptist. The nuns are poor, struggling to survive, and Mother Maria is determined to build a chapel despite having no resources.
Disruption
Mother Maria assumes Homer will stay and work for them, offering only room and board. Homer protests he never agreed to this, but she insists God sent him. His freedom is suddenly constrained by her expectation and moral pressure.
Resistance
Homer debates whether to stay or leave. He does small repairs, attends Sunday services at a local Black church, and tries to maintain his independence while Mother Maria continues to treat his presence as divinely ordained. He is torn between his desire for freedom and growing investment.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Homer makes the active choice to stay and help build the chapel. He commits to the project not because he has to, but because something in him wants to. This marks his entry into a world of community and purpose.
Mirror World
The relationship between Homer and the nuns, especially Mother Maria, deepens. Despite language barriers and cultural differences, mutual respect grows. The community at the local church also becomes a mirror showing Homer what belonging looks like.
Premise
Homer works on building the chapel with whatever materials he can scrounge or barter. The nuns learn English, teach him German, and they share meals. The premise delivers on watching an unlikely community form around an impossible project. Homer's skills and charm win over locals who donate materials.
Midpoint
The chapel walls are rising and the community is rallying around the project. It appears the dream might actually come true. Homer is celebrated and needed. This false victory makes him feel indispensable, feeding his pride.
Opposition
Tensions rise as the work becomes grueling and resources scarce. Homer's pride clashes with Mother Maria's authoritative faith. He feels taken for granted, unappreciated. The nuns' assumption that he will stay indefinitely begins to chafe. His old desire for freedom resurfaces.
Collapse
After a major argument with Mother Maria about recognition and control, Homer leaves in the night without saying goodbye. The dream of the chapel appears to die with his departure. The nuns are devastated; the community effort collapses.
Crisis
Homer drives away into his old life of freedom, but finds it hollow. The nuns pray and wait. Mother Maria refuses to give up faith. Homer wrestles with what he is running from and what he left behind.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Homer realizes that true freedom is not in running away, but in choosing to serve something greater than himself. He understands that the chapel was never about him or Mother Maria—it was about faith made manifest. He turns back.
Synthesis
Homer returns and completes the chapel with the community. The work is finished not through his pride or Mother Maria's will, but through collective faith and effort. A roof-blessing ceremony celebrates the completed chapel with the entire community present.
Transformation
Homer drives away again in his station wagon, but this time he is transformed. He is no longer running from commitment but carrying the experience with him. He leaves behind a completed chapel and a community forever changed. He has learned that service is freedom.