krocheav Beware, this film may creep up on you, it can be so easily dismissed but any viewer infused with the passion of humanity and what makes us tick will be enthralled.Some reviewers missed the point (or simply didn't want to see it!) The insightful will relish the final outcome. Writer Wynyard Brown brings to mind the intensity of Eugene O'Neal, but somehow makes it easier to take. Brown's collaboration with Producer/Writer Anatold De Grunwald offers the discerning viewer a true gem. Pity writers and Producers of this quality were given over to the bleak grittiness of the 'kitchen sink' movement (who managed to leave us a somewhat limited legacy)Performances are quite remarkable, especially the principal characters (Richadson is a standout) The stories search for faith in life over self pity is solid.Sure, it was written as a play (as was O'Neill) but unlike some others, I felt the coupling of an astute Director, and Cinematographer, has fashioned many subtle, but smart cinematic moments.D.O.P Ted (Edward) Scaife an amazing all rounder, often associated with outdoor action spectaculars (Outcast of the Islands, Dirty Dozen, Tazan's Greatest Adventure/The Magnificent, Night of the Demon, to name just a few) gives this mostly indoor film a unique look and feel, allowing the personalities of the characters to speak directly to us.If you enjoy a film to think about and feel, this could be for you. Malcolm Arnolds well arranged Music score adds greatly. I would like to buy it on DVD but don't know if the original 83min vers has been transfered or only the inferior 74min (sadly the one usually run on TV) is all thats on offer. The full running time is moderate anyway, but in this case, the longer is the better. Its rare, so find either and enjoy....

imballfan I saw this in England when it was new and have wanted so much to see it again but it was never available. I am so thrilled to report that I just received it on DVD in the North American format. I assume I cannot mention the vendor but I found it by searching the internet. Although it is somewhat dated it is nevertheless the only meaningful realistic Christmas movie I've ever seen. It depicts the sorrow that ensues when family members feel they cannot be honest with each other. And it also shows how easy it is to place a clergyman in an ivory tower where he neither wants nor deserves to be. The acting from a renown cast prevents it from sinking into maudlin sentimentality.

kidboots Wynyard Brown's thoughtful play was a West End success story of the 1949-50 season and writer producer Anatole de Grunwald took a straightforward approach in adapting it for the screen. The action takes place on Christmas Eve and the following day as enjoyed or suffered by the Reverend Martin Gregory (Ralph Richardson) and members of his family who gather at the country vicarage for the holiday.His enlisted son Mick (Denholm Elliott) is home on leave and at the last moment his youngest daughter, Margaret (Margaret Leighton), a London journalist appears. The older daughter, Jenny (Celia Johnson) has never left home, devotedly caring for her father, so much so that she cannot bring herself to marry her fiancée David (John Gregson) who is about to leave the country for five years for work. David is frustrated that Jenny is the only one willing to stay at home to look after her absent minded father and thinks Margaret should have her turn. The play revolves around Ralph Richardson's character of the lovable but eccentric parson who has always been kept "in the dark" about serious family matters by his children who feel that as a parson he cannot deal with life's realities. Everyone knows that Jenny desperately wants to marry and the real reason why Margaret is on her way to becoming an alcoholic and Martin proves that he can certainly cope with any skeletons dangling in the family closet.Christmas Day brings matters to a head - the night before Margaret and Mick head off for the cinema but go instead to the local pub - they both come home drunk. The next thing Martin upbraids Mick for getting Margaret drunk, things become heated and Mick angrily reveals Margaret's secret. She had met an American airman during the war and he had been killed, she had had a child, who, unfortunately, died the year before and she had started drinking to cope with her sorrow. There follows a moving scene between Martin and Margaret (beautifully played by the Richardson and Leighton) which brings them closer together and proves to Margaret that there is a place for her in the world. For Martin, an ironic piece of self discovery when he realises that he, a person whose job it is to help other people, never really knew his own family or how much they needed him. As good as the movie is, without the performances it would have been just another bland play about Christmas. Maureen Delany as the hatchet faced Aunt Bridgit and Margaret Halston as the dreamily sweet Aunt Lydia were retained from the original play. Celia Johnson, as Jenny, is as usual stoical yet ultimately poignant and Ralph Richardson's bewildered despair at realising his home failures, give him a heartfelt sympathy. Margaret Leighton is the real show stopper as Margaret, her initial hardened selfishness is quickly explained and the emotional showdown with her father allows her bitterness to crumble away.

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.