The Holly and the Ivy Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "The Holly and The Ivy" from Kino Lorber presents an excellent 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition transfer. The visual presentation is largely impressive, featuring rich, deep blacks, crisp whites, and a pleasing array of gray tones. The contrast and clarity are commendable, with well-preserved British locations and intimate interiors that capture the viewer's eye. The natural grain structure of the transfer successfully maintains the feel of traditional celluloid without overpowering the image, delivering an authentic viewing experience.

This release also excels in detailing background elements and fabric textures, substantially enhancing the visual depth. Close-ups reveal fine facial features with remarkable sharpness, contributing to the film’s overall dramatic impact. However, minor flaws are evident: occasional warps with minor fluctuations, sporadic dirt specks on the print, some instability, a missing frame, and a reel change marker occasionally disrupt the otherwise immersive experience. Despite these minor drawbacks, they are not significant enough to detract from the enjoyment of the film.

Overall, Kino Lorber offers a vibrant and well-balanced high-definition debut for "The Holly and The Ivy," providing an engaging visual representation that will satisfy classic movie aficionados. While a full restoration would have been ideal, this Blu-ray transfer remains a solid option for those seeking the best available quality of this cherished film.

The Blu-ray release of "The Holly and the Ivy" features a DTS-HD Master Audio mono soundtrack that capably reproduces the source material, delivering a reasonably engaging listening experience. The track’s presentation is generally effective, though it falls short of perfection in some areas. While the dynamic range successfully captures the highs and lows of Malcolm Arnold's festive score, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the audio clarity occasionally dips. The dialogue remains consistently well-modulated and clear, ensuring that even those with less familiarity with British accents can understand every conversation.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track is clear yet exhibits minor issues, such as a faint whirring sound that intermittently disrupts quieter moments, slightly affecting the overall immersion. Despite these small imperfections, the absence of age-related artifacts like hiss, pops, or crackle contributes to a polished soundscape. Notably, the soundtrack handles musical elements well, though some listeners may find the swelling strings a bit too prominent at times. While there’s room for improvement through further refinement, the current audio presentation is satisfactory for most viewers.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Holly and the Ivy" present a compelling blend of informative and engaging content, highlighted by a standout audio commentary. Film historian Jeremy Arnold provides a highly astute and amiable track, interweaving detailed analysis, actor background information, and personal perspectives that maintain listener interest throughout. Although the film itself may not be particularly dense in thematic or production elements, Arnold commendably sustains an engaging discussion. Additionally, the disc includes trailers for other notable holiday-themed Kino Lorber releases.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful and engaging commentary by film historian Jeremy Arnold.
• Trailers: A selection of trailers for other Kino Lorber releases: Pocketful of Miracles, Christmas in July, I'll Be Seeing You, and Since You Went Away.

"The Holly and the Ivy" offers a touching and profound examination of spirituality within a family during Christmas time, based on Wynyard Browne's play. Ralph Richardson portrays Rev. Martin Gregory, a devout Christian minister who reconnects with his family over the holiday. This connection is fraught with emotional tension as family members, including daughters Jenny (Celia Johnson) and Margaret (Margaret Leighton), and son Michael (Denholm Elliott), confront personal challenges and explore their spiritual beliefs. The film delves into complex themes such as duty, faith, and familial bonds, offering viewers the opportunity to reflect on their own spiritual journeys.

Produced with a meticulous attention to detail, "The Holly and the Ivy" benefits significantly from Edward Scaife's black-and-white cinematography, which lends a dreamlike quality to the film. Malcolm Arnold's score adds to the atmospheric storytelling, elevating emotional moments without overwhelming them. Anatole de Grunwald’s screenplay, while uneven at times and occasionally lacking in fluidity, contains moments of expertly crafted dialogue that confront significant spiritual ideas with sincerity. Director George More O'Ferrall's handling of the film ensures that the performances remain central, emphasizing the restrained emotional tone characteristic of British cinema.

The performances are uniformly excellent. Richardson embodies the moralistic yet somewhat oblivious minister with depth and nuance, while Johnson brings a quiet strength and tenderness to her role as Jenny. Elliott and Leighton also deliver strong performances, their characters providing both tension and humor to balance the script's emotional weight. Despite the film's minor imperfections, "The Holly and the Ivy" remains a poignant and heartfelt exploration of family and faith, making it a distinctive addition to any holiday viewing line-up.

The Holly and the Ivy offers an intriguing dive into British holiday cinema, moving beyond the ubiquitous A Christmas Carol to present a tender family drama infused with Yuletide charm. The film skillfully mixes emotional complexity with festive cheer, delivering solid performances that ask meaningful questions about the nature of faith. Kino's Blu-ray release does a commendable job, presenting a generally strong video and audio quality that enhances the viewing experience. The engaging commentary track adds another layer of appreciation for fans of classic cinema.

While the Blu-ray presentation isn't remarkable in its technical aspects, it successfully brings out the best in this charming British feature. The video and audio quality are solid, though not extraordinary, ensuring an enjoyable experience for those who appreciate nuanced storytelling and period pieces. Fans of Christmas films will find The Holly and the Ivy more interesting to experience than traditionally entertaining, offering a refreshing departure from standard holiday fare.

Conclusion: Fans of Christmas season feature-films will find that The Holly and the Ivy is an adequate film that is more interesting to experience than it is entertaining. The performances are solid and the script asks the audience some questions about the nature of faith. The Blu-ray release features a generally strong presentation and is worth a pickup for fans of the film. Recommended.