IMDb RATING
7.2/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
An English clergyman's neglect of his grown children, in his zeal to tend to his parishioners, comes to the surface at a Christmas family gathering.An English clergyman's neglect of his grown children, in his zeal to tend to his parishioners, comes to the surface at a Christmas family gathering.An English clergyman's neglect of his grown children, in his zeal to tend to his parishioners, comes to the surface at a Christmas family gathering.
Maureen Delaney
- Aunt Bridget
- (as Maureen Delany)
Mary Chapman
- Girl
- (uncredited)
Sally Owen
- Young Girl
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWynyard Browne's original play opened at London's Duchess Theatre in 1950. Maureen Delaney and Margaret Halstan reprised their stage roles for this movie.
- GoofsWhen 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.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Andrew Klavan Show: Episode #1.436 (2017)
- SoundtracksThe Holly and the Ivy
(uncredited)
Traditional, music first published by Cecil J. Sharp, arranged by H. Walford Davies
Featured review
A fine play in a 1950s screen version, wonderfully cast - Ralph Richardson is the parson who has bred a dysfunctional family (daughters Celia Johnson and Margaret Leighton, son Denholm Elliott).
When the family comes together at Christmas, with the two maiden aunts - the holly and ivy represented in human form? - secrets tumble out, the family comes together, and peace and understanding comes to pass as it should in the festive season.
Leighton's flighty daughter with the grief of a loss in the war hanging over her; Johnson's tired and emotionally drained woman in love (with John Gregson, about to emigrate for his work); Elliott's Army private bristling against authority at all levels - all these characterisations are spot-on.
But the film belongs to Richardson - quietly watching and waiting for his moment in the sun, a long speech to his daughter - although he is saddled with a slightly odd accent.
The Holly and the Ivy is a heartwarming fable of Christmas and should be much better known than it is - can we have a television showing this season?
When the family comes together at Christmas, with the two maiden aunts - the holly and ivy represented in human form? - secrets tumble out, the family comes together, and peace and understanding comes to pass as it should in the festive season.
Leighton's flighty daughter with the grief of a loss in the war hanging over her; Johnson's tired and emotionally drained woman in love (with John Gregson, about to emigrate for his work); Elliott's Army private bristling against authority at all levels - all these characterisations are spot-on.
But the film belongs to Richardson - quietly watching and waiting for his moment in the sun, a long speech to his daughter - although he is saddled with a slightly odd accent.
The Holly and the Ivy is a heartwarming fable of Christmas and should be much better known than it is - can we have a television showing this season?
- How long is The Holly and the Ivy?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Wynyard Browne's The Holly and the Ivy
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 20 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content