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The Holly and the Ivy

  • 1952
  • Approved
  • 1h 20m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
1.8K
YOUR RATING
The Holly and the Ivy (1952)
Drama

A heartwarming tale of an English minister and his family reunited at Christmas time. Their story includes a remembrance of their World War II trials.A heartwarming tale of an English minister and his family reunited at Christmas time. Their story includes a remembrance of their World War II trials.A heartwarming tale of an English minister and his family reunited at Christmas time. Their story includes a remembrance of their World War II trials.

  • Director
    • George More O'Ferrall
  • Writers
    • Anatole de Grunwald
    • Wynyard Browne
  • Stars
    • Ralph Richardson
    • Celia Johnson
    • Margaret Leighton
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    1.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • George More O'Ferrall
    • Writers
      • Anatole de Grunwald
      • Wynyard Browne
    • Stars
      • Ralph Richardson
      • Celia Johnson
      • Margaret Leighton
    • 54User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos56

    The Holly and the Ivy (1952)
    John Barry in The Holly and the Ivy (1952)
    John Barry, Roland Culver, and Hugh Williams in The Holly and the Ivy (1952)
    Roland Culver and Hugh Williams in The Holly and the Ivy (1952)
    Maureen Delaney and Dandy Nichols in The Holly and the Ivy (1952)
    Maureen Delaney in The Holly and the Ivy (1952)
    Dandy Nichols in The Holly and the Ivy (1952)
    Denholm Elliott, William Hartnell, and Mary Chapman in The Holly and the Ivy (1952)
    William Hartnell in The Holly and the Ivy (1952)
    Robert Flemyng in The Holly and the Ivy (1952)
    Denholm Elliott in The Holly and the Ivy (1952)
    Robert Flemyng and William Hartnell in The Holly and the Ivy (1952)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ralph Richardson
    Ralph Richardson
    • Rev. Martin Gregory
    Celia Johnson
    Celia Johnson
    • Jenny Gregory
    Margaret Leighton
    Margaret Leighton
    • Margaret Gregory
    Denholm Elliott
    Denholm Elliott
    • Michael Gregory
    John Gregson
    John Gregson
    • David Paterson
    Hugh Williams
    Hugh Williams
    • Richard Wyndham
    Margaret Halstan
    • Aunt Lydia
    Maureen Delaney
    Maureen Delaney
    • Aunt Bridget
    • (as Maureen Delany)
    William Hartnell
    William Hartnell
    • C…
    Robert Flemyng
    Robert Flemyng
    • Major
    Roland Culver
    Roland Culver
    • Lord B.
    John Barry
    • Clubman
    Dandy Nichols
    Dandy Nichols
    • Neighbour
    Mary Chapman
    • Girl
    • (uncredited)
    Sally Owen
    • Young Girl
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • George More O'Ferrall
    • Writers
      • Anatole de Grunwald
      • Wynyard Browne(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Wynyard Browne's original play opened at London's Duchess Theatre in 1950. Maureen Delaney and Margaret Halstan reprised their stage roles for this movie.
    • Goofs
      When Aunt Bridget hands her landlady a photograph of her nephew Michael (Denholm Elliott) from the sideboard, it's a different one. The close up shot of the photo shows him in uniform as opposed to civilian dress on the sideboard.
    • Quotes

      Richard Wyndham: Cheer up, Mick old boy. In a hundred years we'll all be dead.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Andrew Klavan Show: Episode #1.436 (2017)
    • Soundtracks
      The Holly and the Ivy
      (uncredited)

      Traditional, music first published by Cecil J. Sharp, arranged by H. Walford Davies

    User reviews54

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Not a Christmas film for everyone....read up about what to expect first before you watch.
    "The Holly and the Ivy" is a very good film...filled with some exceptional acting. However, before you watch it, you need to consider what content is in the movie. Sure, it's a Christmas film...but also one that easily could trigger your depression if you've been struggling with it. It also brings up things that are NOT fun and Christmassy....such as dead lovers and children. So think about seeing it before you do!!

    The story is about Christmas and a group of people who are all returning to a small British town for the holiday and to spend it with the Parson (Ralph Richardson). Most of the people coming have secrets...things they SHOULD talk about with family but haven't for inexplicable reasons. In most cases, they don't bring it up with the Parson because they perceive that he'll be judgmental and a parson first...not a father. How all this plays out is marvelous...with some brilliant acting. My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is that the problems are all worked out so quickly and easily...perhaps a bit too much so. Adding a few minutes to show this process would have made the film even better. Still, the acting is magnificent and the story filled with a gritty realism otherwise. Well worth seeing.
    helpful•22
    1
    • planktonrules
    • Dec 9, 2019

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 4, 1954 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Wynyard Browne's The Holly and the Ivy
    • Filming locations
      • Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK(Studio)
    • Production companies
      • London Film Productions
      • De Grunwald Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 20 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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