Where the Lilies Bloom

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 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.

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 movie was one of my all time favorites as a child and now as I am grown it is not just a movie it reminds me of simpler and happy times. I love watching it time and time again, showing it to my husband and one day our children. Being raised in the area where it was filmed it is every exciting to see all the great landmarks portrayed in this movie, some of which do not exist anymore. The characters, actors, and simplicity of this movie make it a ten on my list! The story line is a good one and the characters really portray what I think it would have been like in those times and situations. I would recommend this movie to everyone who enjoys a good movie.

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.