Where the Lilies Bloom

This is a very excellent movie. The book is great, too. I first read the book when I was about 14, loved it, and tried to find the movie but couldn't. That disappointed me and I eventually forgot about it, until I was about 20 and saw it on television. I knew it would be good but it actually exceeded my expectations! Everyone was wonderful, especially the children. I was shocked to learn that Jan Smithers who played Devola was the only one out of the children in the family who made any other films. Helen Harmon was just too cute for words and portrays a perfect precocious little baby sister and really has some funny scenes. Matthew Burril is real good as the brother, perfectly portraying the poor only boy surrounded by sisters! And Julie Gholson was amazing!!! I love the story about the children doing anything possible to stay together and Julie as Mary Call taking charge was intriguing to watch. This is not a well known movie and I would like to get the word out and let people know this is a must-see!! (unless the only movies you like are non sentimental shoot-em-up movies)

I had read this book before I actually saw the movie, and this was quite a long time ago. I thought both the book and the movie were just great. The scenery is magnificent and the characters are vivid and fleshed out. This is a story about a family of young kids who live in the mountains and the adversities they face. It is a beautiful story and one that I'd tell anyone to see. There's a Steel Magnolias touch to it(meaning you'll cry a lot!) but you'll also fall in love with these kids and the loveliness of the scenery. I rarely see this movie playing on television anymore and do not even know if the book is still in print but it is a truly lovely movie that should be a lot more known then it is and is a great movie to view.

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.

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.