The Holly and the Ivy (1954)

Excellent, a Must See

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

The film was still a fun one that will make you laugh and have you leaving the theater feeling like you just stole something valuable and got away with it.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Christmas movies seem to multiply like the commercial world's "Season's Greetings"--and most of them are just as hollow and pointless. This is an exception, British cinema at its best. "The Holly and the Ivy" is an emotional roller coaster that leaves you wanting more.Members of a family assemble to celebrate Christmas in the home of their father, a widowed Anglican clergyman. Various ones have gone through painful experiences of one kind or another. And all have concealed the details from their father on the assumption that he wouldn't understand "because he's a parson." The shattering explosions that occur as bits of the truth begin to be revealed are memorable. Forget about the endless fantasies, flying reindeer and dancing snowmen. This is a real Christmas about real people. The resolution at the end may come a little too quickly, but it is satisfying. See this movie if you can find it--and urge the powers that be to re-issue it on DVD.

I've always loved this movie, ever since it used to show up on an obscure Minnesota cable channel, but I haven't seen it for at least ten years. Ralph Richardson plays an English parson in a small village, whose adult children come home for Christmas. Before the picture is over, many secrets have come out in the open, and the family has been forced to deal with their unspoken unhappiness. A wonderful British cast makes this story come to life, in a bittersweet recognition that Christmas isn't always a happy time for every family. The film ends on an optimistic note, and is a fascinating glimpse into a time long gone in post World War Two England. Beautifully acted and written, if a trifle slow paced. Well worth the effort of viewing, if you can find it.

Please, please, somebody get this superb movie on North American DVD or VHS. We need this film at Christmas time and always. Straight from the heart to the heart. To add even greater meaning to this fabulous treat, do some research about the symbolism of the holly and the ivy and consider the lyrics and tune of the Christmas carol. Personally, I've always thought of the two wonderful aunts as representing the holly and ivy of Christmas lore, probably with the priest's sister being the holly and his sister-in-law the ivy. Of course, they represent much more than the masculine and feminine principles: poorness vs richness, bitterness vs gratitude, disappointment vs hope, negative vs positive, pessimism vs optimism. All of these oppositions are worked out beautifully by the perfectly cast and capable actresses playing the aunts. A masterpiece!

I think I have only seen this film about 3 times in my life. But the impact it had on me each time I saw it was great. A tremendous British cast, in a tremendous British film. It just simply is not shown often enough, and on top of all that it is not available on Video/DVD.A story of a family brought together for Christmas, and their lives during the war years clearly showing through.Please let us have a change from the usual Christmas line up. Either give us a treat and show it over the coming Christmas or release it on Video/DVD. After all, how many variations of a Christmas Carol can somebody take over the festive period year after year.