Merchant Ivory

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1:46

Merchant Ivory

2024

1h 52m

Documentary

Biography

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Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

48 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

MERCHANT IVORY (2023) is the first definitive feature documentary to lend new and compelling perspectives on the partnership, both professional and personal, of director James Ivory, producer Ismail Merchant and their primary associates, writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and composer Richard Robbins. Footage from more than fifty interviews, clips, and archival material gives voice to the family of actors and technicians who helped define Merchant Ivory’s Academy Award-winning work of consummate quality and intelligence. With six Oscar winners among the notable artists participating, these close and often long-term collaborators intimately detail the transformational cinematic creativity and personal and professional drama of the wandering company that left an indelible impact on film culture.

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Critics Consensus

An insightful glimpse into James Ivory and Ismail Merchant's relationship as well as a warm celebration of their artistic collaborations, Merchant Ivory is an invaluable treat for fans of the filmmaking team.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube)

01/11/2025

A really interesting documentary.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

12/16/2024

3/5

... A dense, rewarding and essentially chronological analysis that reminds us of the duo’s pre-eminence as film-makers.

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Marina Ashioti

Little White Lies

12/11/2024

3/5

Stephen Soucy’s affectionate yet scattershot documentary on this 40-year partnership explores the overlap between the two as lovers and as collaborators...

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Jaylan Salah

Geek Vibes Nation

6d

6.7/10

Merchant Ivory is a dream embedded in reality. It’s a film about the art of making something grand out of the ashes.

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Jane Freebury

Jane Freebury

Oct 14

4/5

A richly informative study of the filmmaking duo behind the lavish period dramas they became famous for, focussed on fine performances and underpinned by intelligent writing

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Joshua Ryan

Sunshine State Cineplex

07/19/2025

7/10

Merchant Ivory is a love letter to film. It delves deep into its subject and passionately explores it.

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Steve

09/16/2024

Thorough documentary on how Merchant Ivory made films and insight into independent film making. Lots of commentary from those who participated in the films. James Ivory is main interviewee. Even handed including some of the less rosy aspects of their productions. And even a glimpse into the interpersonal relationship amongst the four that made the magic happen onscreen.

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Darius

09/08/2024

Im a huge fan of Merchant Ivory films from the Maurice through Remains of the Day period-and this documentary gave such a great overview of all their work from the 1960s to early 2000s and I had no idea of their output I also loved the insight into James Ivory, Ismail Merchant and Ruth Jhabvalas relationship.

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Paul

09/02/2024

Lovely portrait of not just Merchant and ivory themselves, but also of the group that worked together to create significant films

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Jeffery M

08/29/2024

Absolutely wonderful, insightful look at remarkable careers and behind the scenes of some of the best films of all time.

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David F

@dfulmer 04/20/2025

An excellent documentary about the films of Merchant Ivory and the personalities and characters behind the films.

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spb b

@RT23146431 02/21/2025

More like an E! talking head piece without any interesting anecdotes, insights or even a spark of creativity in the film itself.

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Synopsis

MERCHANT IVORY (2023) is the first definitive feature documentary to lend new and compelling perspectives on the partnership, both professional and personal, of director James Ivory, producer Ismail Merchant and their primary associates, writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and composer Richard Robbins. Footage from more than fifty interviews, clips, and archival material gives voice to the family of actors and technicians who helped define Merchant Ivory’s Academy Award-winning work of consummate quality and intelligence. With six Oscar winners among the notable artists participating, these close and often long-term collaborators intimately detail the transformational cinematic creativity and personal and professional drama of the wandering company that left an indelible impact on film culture.

Director: Stephen Soucy
Producer: Stephen Soucy, Jon Hart
Screenwriter: Stephen Soucy, Jon Hart, Stephen Soucy, Jon Hart
Distributor: Cohen Media Group
Production Co: Modernist Films
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 30, 2024, Limited
Runtime: 1h 52m

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