Where the Lilies Bloom

I live in the Blue Ridge near the places where the filming took place. I love the area and I enjoy movies depicting life in the Appalachians many years ago. This is one of the best. My non-profit company recently purchased the old Elk Park School, a 1937 stone WPA school building which is the same school shot in the film. We have converted the school to beautifully rehabilitated affordable senior housing and in the process have secured permanent status for the building and the grounds on the National Register of Historic Places. Many area residents attended school there including most of the local extras seen in the movie. These good people are now once again drawn into the building through community activities scheduled in the refurbished gymnasium.

I agree with all the other comments. Beautiful movie with most excellent acting that has none of Hollywood's plastic staginess. Especially fine acting by the star,Julie Gholson - and why did she never appear in any other films?

A well told tale that enthralled my daughter who recommended it to me. Interestingly, this is the only film ever made by 3 of the 4 children who try to survive after their father's death. Only Jan Smithers, who portrays Devola, did other film work.

This wonderful 1974 film was one I saw when it came out at age 6 and it has stayed with me to this day, 20-odd years later. It is the kind of small, well-written, well-acted, poignant, earnest and meticulously crafted piece of filmmaking that simply does not exist today. Anyone, man or woman, old or young, will truly enjoy watching this great, great film.

I first saw this film when it was released in the early 70's. I was in a foster home/private school in the North Carolina Mountains in Avery County. I truly loved this movie with it's very heart warmng storyline. While being part of the "mountain people", I can relate to the everyday activities and chores of the Luther family, such as, wildcrafting, the cold bitter snows, and the breath taking site of the beautiful North Carolina mountains. Here it is, over twenty years later, and I still love this movie. Now when I watch it, I find myself gettig a lump in my throat and I long so bad to be back in the mountains going to Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Newland, Crossnore and Grandfather Mountain. Anyone who wants a heart-felt, sad story of the children and adults of the "deep hollers" of the North Carolina mountains, will truly enjoy this film. The characters are so believable, that you want to hug them, letting them know it's okay to take on a challenge that would save their love for one another and the love of their family. Where The Lilies Bloom is a film that teaches that no matter how strong, poor, educated and rich someone may be, there are others out there who have something better...and that is love for their family.