IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > The Holly and the Ivy (1952)

The Holly and the Ivy (1952) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 2 | slideshow)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   163 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 39% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Contact:
View company contact information for The Holly and the Ivy on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
4 February 1954 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
A heartwarming tale of an English minister and his family reunited at Christmas time. Their story includes a remembrance of their WWII trials | add synopsis
User Reviews:
A Lost Treasure more (18 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)
Ralph Richardson ... Reverend Martin Gregory
Celia Johnson ... Jenny Gregory
Margaret Leighton ... Margaret Gregory
Denholm Elliott ... Michael 'Mick' Gregory
Hugh Williams ... Richard Wyndham
John Gregson ... David Patterson
Margaret Halstan ... Aunt Lydia
Maureen Delaney ... Aunt Bridget
William Hartnell ... Company Sergeant Major
Robert Flemyng ... Major
Roland Culver ... Lord B.
Sally Owen
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Barry ... Clubman
Mary Chapman
Dandy Nichols ... Neighbor
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
83 min | USA:80 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
13 out of 13 people found the following review useful.
A Lost Treasure, 17 February 2004
9/10
Author: dbborroughs from Glen Cove, New York

Until recently I had never heard of this little gem of British holiday sentiment. I heard someone call it the "Christmas movie for people who don't like Christmas movies" and the quest to find it was on.

This is the story of a Christmas in which the emotionally wounded family of a Church of England clergyman come home and attempt to have a happy holiday. What happens is not your typical happy tearjerker, nor is it a Christmas nightmare. Its a reasonably realistic, as much as films of the time could be in 75 minutes, look at a family of emotional cripples as they all try to put their lives back on track. The ending while hopeful is far from certain, so much so that I cursed the fact that it didn't go on another five or six hours, my sole complaint about the film.

A word of warning, don't abandon the film until you get to the end. I wasn't enraptured of the film for almost two thirds of its running time. I was interested in what was happening but I didn't know if I liked it, and then suddenly all of the pieces were in place and it became this charming atypical jewel of a movie.

Forget Its a Wonderful Life, watch this instead, its so much more real.

Was the above review useful to you?
more (18 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Holly and the Ivy (1952)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
availabilitty footcare12003
availability camloon67
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The River The English Patient Borstal Boy The Brylcreem Boys The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits IMDb Drama section
IMDb UK section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.