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The Holly and the Ivy

Play trailer Poster for The Holly and the Ivy 1952 1h 23m Holiday Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 2 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Martin is a widowed British reverend who knows his parishioners better than his own children. Martin's detachment from his family is never more evident than at Christmas, when the family comes together to celebrate. While Martin's daughter Jenny lives at home out of devotion, she doesn't have the heart to tell him that she wants to move out. Martin's children struggle to hide family secrets during the emotional reunion that brings back memories of World War II.

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The Holly and the Ivy

Critics Reviews

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David Parkinson Radio Times Feb 13, 2025
4/5
The performances are uniformly excellent, right down to Margaret Halstan and Maureen Delany reprising their stage roles as ageing aunts. Go to Full Review Ellie Lucas From the Front Row Jan 4, 2020
2.5/4
A great cast, including Celia Johnson and Denholm Elliot, add some heft, but the film ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Kyle M @RT77296778 Jan 6, 2026 Either observational or relatable by applicable resonance, this family drama has shown to be considerate regarding the brewing tension that threatens to unhinge the festivity, hosting a well-performed but blandly disengaged gathering that’s forgettable as mere personifications rather than their own persons. (B-) See more Mark J @RT91128775 Nov 25, 2024 A reasonable film but you can tell it was adapted, not very well, from a stage play. Just missing a few scenes which could have been added when not constrained by what could be done in theatre. Overall though a nice story which you should watch if you are looking for an older Christmas film you’ve not seen before. See more acsdoug D @acsdoug Feb 12, 2024 A nice drama with good dialogue and fine performances all around. I thought the movie kind of petered out rather than come to an adequate conclusion, however. See more Dec 11, 2020 Excellent, lovely film to watch at christmas time , nicer times. See more s r @ScottR Apr 7, 2020 A complicated English Christmas drama. It made me want to visit the town of Weymouth. TCM See more ashley h @ashleyhobgood87 Jan 8, 2020 The Holly and the Ivy is a decent film. It is about an English minister and his family reunited at Christmas time. Ralph Richardson and Celia Johnson give good performance. The screenplay is a little in places. George More O'Farrell did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the drama. See more Read all reviews
The Holly and the Ivy

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Cast & Crew

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George More O'Ferrall

Director

Ralph Richardson

Rev. Martin Gregory

Celia Johnson

Jenny Gregory

Margaret Leighton

Margaret Gregory

Denholm Elliott

Michael Gregory

Hugh Williams

Richard Wyndham
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The Holly and the Ivy

The Holly and the Ivy (1952) The Holly and the Ivy (1953) The Holly and the Ivy (1953) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Martin is a widowed British reverend who knows his parishioners better than his own children. Martin's detachment from his family is never more evident than at Christmas, when the family comes together to celebrate. While Martin's daughter Jenny lives at home out of devotion, she doesn't have the heart to tell him that she wants to move out. Martin's children struggle to hide family secrets during the emotional reunion that brings back memories of World War II.
Director
George More O'Ferrall
Producer
Anatole de Grunwald
Screenwriter
Anatole de Grunwald
Production Co
London Film Production, De Grunwald Productions
Genre
Holiday, Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 23m
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