overthetopandhappybso
i came across this film one rainy November afternoon in the days when an afternoon matinée was standard practice. sadly those afternoons are lost to TV movies, often Canadian and often mind numbingly bad. however, i digress, the holly and the ivy is a rarely seen British film from the days when a woman was considered middle aged at 30, and men never set foot in the confines of a kitchen. it is a slice of kitchen sink drama that takes place amid a cosy rectory, with real coal fires burning and lots of snow falling outside. although the individual stories of the characters are now outdated, i can't help but get a warm, nostalgic feeling when the film starts. it is with a little sadness, in the sure knowledge that we can never return to those days, that i watch this seasonal gem of the fifties.celia johnson gives her usual, beautifully spoken performance, and margaret leighton is wonderful as her prickly sister. denholm elliott is rather good as the younger brother whom by today's standards would be considered saintly, but back then he managed to achieve the disdain of nearly all his relatives for making rather merry, even tho it was Christmas. ralph richardson was a little too young, and his part should have gone to an older actor in my opinion, but that said, he didn't detract from my enjoyment of the film.for managing to transport me back to a Christmas of long, long ago, and for giving me 83 minutes of sheer joy, i give it 10/10. if you're lucky enough to lay your hands on a copy of the DVD, i urge you to buy it, take it home, put your feet up, and sit back and enjoy - preferably with a crackling log fire, as snow falls silently outside
didi-5
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?
jeremy-855
Just in time for Christmas comes a DVD available from the UK, of one of the really great Christmas film gems 'The Holly and the Ivy'. Set in a Norfolk rectory its evocation of a post-war Christmas is brought to life by the playing of Ralph Richardson and Celia Johnson as the daughter. It holds no cinematic tricks and as such is just a faithful filming of a stage success. It's strength lies in the wonderful interplay between the divergent characters all coming together to spend Christmas in the Norfolk rectory. The two aunts played by Margaret Halstan and Maureen Delany are quite delightful and almost steal the show.A young Denholm Elliott is to be seen in an early role and Margaret Leighton gives a very moving performance. Just to hear the English language spoken so well by a first class cast is a joy. I love this film and will keep this one to play over the Christams period.
smithy-8
"The Holly and the Ivy" is the only realistic Christmas movie of the 1950's. It tells the story of an English minister, Ralph Richardson, and his three conflicted adult children: Margaret Leighton, Celia, Johnson, and Denholm Elliott. Everybody in the cast does a great acting job. This is Mr. Richardson's last great role as a leading man in a movie.
The story is like riding a roller coaster. Christmas should be a calm time for families, but it is not for this English family. This movie is a forgotten gem.
AD
