Merchant Ivory Productions
Founded1961
FounderIsmail Merchant
James Ivory

Merchant Ivory Productions is a film company founded in 1961 by producer Ismail Merchant (1936–2005) and director James Ivory (b. 1928). Merchant and Ivory were life and business partners from 1961 until Merchant's death in 2005. During their time together, they made 44 films. The films were for the most part produced by Merchant and directed by Ivory, and 23 of them were scripted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala (1927–2013) in some capacity. The films were often based upon novels or short stories, particularly the work of Henry James, E. M. Forster, and Jhabvala herself.

The initial goal of the company was "to make English-language films in India aimed at the international market". The style of Merchant Ivory films set and photographed in India became iconic. The company also went on to make films in the United Kingdom and America.

Some actors and producers associated with Merchant Ivory include Maggie Smith, Leela Naidu, Madhur Jaffrey, Aparna Sen, Shashi Kapoor, Jennifer Kendal, Hugh Grant, James Wilby, Rupert Graves, Simon Callow, Anthony Hopkins, Glenn Close, Uma Thurman, Emma Thompson, Vanessa Redgrave, Natasha Richardson, Ralph Fiennes, Colin Firth, Richard Hawley and Helena Bonham Carter.

Of this collaboration, Merchant once commented: "It is a strange marriage we have at Merchant Ivory... I am an Indian Muslim, Ruth is a German Jew, and Jim is a Protestant American. Someone once described us as a three-headed god. Maybe they should have called us a three-headed monster!"[1]

The expression "Merchant–Ivory film" has made its way into common parlance, to denote a particular genre of film rather than the actual production company. While 1965's Shakespeare Wallah put this genre on the international map,[2] its heyday was the 1980s and 1990s with such films as A Room with a View (1985) and Howards End (1992). A typical "Merchant–Ivory film" would be a period piece set in the early 20th century, usually in Edwardian England, featuring lavish sets and top British actors portraying genteel characters who suffer from disillusionment and tragic entanglements. The main theme often surrounded a house, which took on a particular importance in many Merchant Ivory films.[3][4]

History

Merchant Ivory Productions was founded in 1961 by Ismail Merchant and James Ivory[5] in India to produce English language films.[6]

After early, modest successes with films such as The Householder, Shakespeare Wallah, and Bombay Talkie, Merchant and Ivory suffered a lean period during the 1970s. Films such as Jane Austen in Manhattan and The Wild Party failed to find an audience. Their fortunes revived dramatically in 1979 when they made an adaptation of Henry James' novel The Europeans. Their film Heat and Dust (1983) was an art-house hit in Europe, particularly in England. However, it was not until their work together on A Room with a View (1985) that they broke out from the art house into broader success.

In 1985, Merchant Ivory Productions was signed by film distributor Cinecom International Films in order to gave Cinecom access to the 11 Merchant Ivory productions at that time as Cinecom had to increase its distribution schedule.[7] In 1986, Merchant Ivory and Cinecom begin their co-production lineup with the film The Deceivers.[8] In 1987, after 25 years as an independent producer, Merchant Ivory Productions would declined offers by Hollywood power brokers and deep-pocketed investors, mesmerized by the success of the triple-Oscar winning A Room with a View, to take the company public.[9]

Around 1990, they moved their productions to England and the United States. Ruth Prawer Jhabvala became their frequent collaborating writer.[6] Major film studios sought them out; Disney signed Merchant Ivory Productions to a three-year distribution deal in 1991.[10][11]

In October 2015, Cohen Media Group acquired the Merchant Ivory brand and library, 21 films and 9 documentaries including worldwide distribution, for restoration and rerelease as a part of the Cohen Film Collection. Ivory would be creative director on the films' restoration, re-release and promotion.[6]

Members

James Ivory

Ivory was known for often directing the productions. He received three Academy Award nominations for his work but never won. He received his first Oscar at the age of 89 for his screenplay for Call Me by Your Name, becoming the oldest person to win an Oscar for writing.

Academy Awards

Year Film Category Result
1986 A Room with a View Best Director Nominated
1993 Howards End Nominated
1994 The Remains of the Day Nominated
2018 Call Me by Your Name Best Adapted Screenplay Won

Ismail Merchant

Merchant was known for producing the films. Despite four nominations, he never won.

Academy Awards

Year Film Category Result
1960 The Creation of a Woman Live Action Short Film Nominated
1986 A Room with a View Best Picture Nominated
1993 Howards End Nominated
1994 The Remains of the Day Nominated

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

Jhabvala was known for adapting the screenplays. She received three nominations, with two wins.

Academy Awards

Year Film Category Result
1986 A Room with a View Best Adapted Screenplay Won
1993 Howards End Won
1994 The Remains of the Day Nominated

Richard Hawley

Hawley started in 1987 as Ivory's first assistant director on Slaves of New York. He was involved in every project to some degree thereafter. In 1994, he started co-running the company with Merchant and departed in 2009 after completion of The City of Your Final Destination.

Year Film Involvement
1989 Slaves of New York First assistant director
1995 Jefferson in Paris First assistant director
Unit production manager
1996 The Proprietor Associate producer
1998 Side Streets Executive producer
A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries Executive producer
First assistant director
Unit production manager (USA)
1999 Cotton Mary Producer
North American distribution executive
2000 The Golden Bowl Executive producer
2001 The Mystic Masseur Producer
2003 Le Divorce Co-producer
2005 Heights Producer
Soundtrack producer
The White Countess Co-producer
Music producer
2009 The City of Your Final Destination Co-producer
Production manager

Filmography

Compiled works from Merchant Ivory Productions.

YearTitleDirectorProducerScreenwriterSource MaterialOther notes
1963The Householder[6]James IvoryIsmail MerchantRuth Prawer Jhabvalaadapted from the novel of the same name by Jhabvalathe first Merchant Ivory adaptation of a novel by Jhabvala
1965Shakespeare Wallah[6]original story
1969The GuruRuth Prawer Jhabvala and James Ivory
The Night of Counting the YearsShadi Abdel SalamRoberto RosselliniShadi Abdel Salamthe first Merchant Ivory film without Merchant, Ivory, or Jhabvala
1970Bombay TalkieJames IvoryIsmail MerchantRuth Prawer Jhabvala
1972SavagesIsmail Merchant, Joseph J.M. Saleh (executive), and Anthony Korner (associate)George W. S. Trow and Michael O'Donoghuebased on an idea by James Ivory
1975The Wild PartyIsmail MerchantWalter Marksbased on the poem by Joseph Moncure March
Autobiography of a PrincessRuth Prawer Jhabvalaoriginal story
1977Roselandanthology film
1978Hullabaloo Over Georgie and Bonnie's PicturesTV film
1979The Europeansbased on the novel by Henry Jamesthe first Merchant Ivory adaptation of a novel by James
1980Jane Austen in ManhattanLibretto "Sir Charles Grandison" by Jane Austen & Samuel Richardson, based on the play "Sir Charles Grandison, or The Happy Man" by Austen
1981Quartetbased on the novel by Jean Rhys
1983The Courtesans of BombayIsmail MerchantIsmail Merchant, James Ivory, and Ruth Prawer Jhabvalaoriginal storyTV film
Heat and DustJames IvoryRuth Prawer Jhabvala[10]based on the novel by Jhabvalathe second Merchant Ivory adaptation of a novel by Jhabvala
1984The Bostoniansbased on the novel by Henry Jamesthe second Merchant Ivory adaptation of a novel by James
1985A Room with a Viewbased on the novel by E. M. Forsterthe first Merchant Ivory adaptation of a novel by Forster
1986My Little GirlConnie KaisermanIsmail Merchant (executive producer), Thomas F. Turley (line producer)Connie Kaiserman and Nan Masonoriginal story
1987MauriceJames IvoryIsmail MerchantJames Ivory and Kit Hesketh-Harveybased on the novel by E. M. Forsterthe second Merchant Ivory adaptation of a novel by Forster
1988The DeceiversNicholas MeyerMichael Hirstbased on the novel by John Masters
The Perfect MurderZafar HaiH. R. F. Keating and Zafar Haibased on the novel by Keating
1989Slaves of New YorkJames IvoryIsmail Merchant, Gary Hendler, Fred Hughes (associate), and Vincent Fremont (associate)Tama Janowitzbased on a collection of stories by Janowitz
1990Mr. & Mrs. BridgeIsmail MerchantRuth Prawer Jhabvalabased on Mrs. Bridge and Mr. Bridge by Evan S. Connell
1991The Ballad of the Sad CaféSimon CallowMichael Hirstbased on the play by Edward Albee adapted from the novel by Carson McCullers
Street Musicians of BombayRichard RobbinsWahid Chowhan, Ismail merchant (executive, uncredited), Shahnaz Vahanvaty (associate)n/aoriginal storydocumentary
1992Howards EndJames IvoryIsmail MerchantRuth Prawer Jhabvalabased on the novel by E.M. Forsterthe third adaptation of a novel by Forster
1993In CustodyIsmail MerchantWahid Chowhan, Paul Bradley (executive), and Donald Rosenfeld (executive)Shahrukh Husain and Anita Desaibased on the novel by Desai
The Remains of the DayJames IvoryIsmail Merchant, Mike Nichols, and John CalleyRuth Prawer Jhabvala[10] and Harold Pinter (uncredited)based on the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro
1995Feast of JulyChristopher MenaulHenry Herbert, Christopher Neame, Ismail Merchant (executive) and Paul Bradley (executive)Christopher Neamebased on the novel by H. E. Bates
Jefferson in ParisJames IvoryIsmail Merchant, Humbert Balsan, Paul Bradley and Donald RosenfeldRuth Prawer Jhabvalahistorical fiction
1996The ProprietorIsmail MerchantHumbert Balsan and Donald RosenfeldJean-Marie Besset and George W. S. Troworiginal story
Surviving PicassoJames IvoryIsmail Merchant and David L. WolperRuth Prawer Jhabvalabased on the book Picasso: Creator and Destroyer by Arianna Huffington
1998Side StreetsTony GerberBruce Weiss, Ismail Merchant (executive), Tom Borders (executive), and Gregory Cascante (executive)Tony Gerber and Lynn Nottageoriginal story
A Soldier's Daughter Never CriesJames IvoryIsmail MerchantRuth Prawer Jhabvalabased on the novel by Kaylie Jones
1999Cotton MaryIsmail Merchant and Madhur JaffreyNayeem Hafizka, Richard Hawley, Paul Bradley (executive), and Gil Donaldson (associate)Alexandra Vietsoriginal story
2000The Golden BowlJames IvoryIsmail MerchantRuth Prawer Jhabvalabased on the novel by Henry Jamesthe third Merchant Ivory adaptation of a novel by James
2001The Mystic MasseurIsmail MerchantNayeem Haffizka and Richard HawleyCaryl Phillipsbased on the novel by V. S. Naipaul
2002Merci Docteur ReyAndrew LitvackIsmail MerchantAndrew Litvackoriginal story
2003Le DivorceJames IvoryIsmail Merchant and Michael SchifferJames Ivory and Ruth Prawer Jhabvalabased on the novel by Diane Johnson
2005HeightsChris TerrioRichard Hawley, James Ivory, and Ismail MerchantAmy Fox and Chris Terriooriginal story by Fox
The White CountessJames IvoryIsmail MerchantKazuo Ishigurooriginal storyIsmail Merchant's final film
2007Before the RainsSantosh SivanMark Burton, Paul Hardart, Tom Hardart, Doug Mankoff, and Andrew SpauldingCathy Rabinadapted from the "Red Roofs" segment of the film Yellow Asphalt, written and directed by Danny Veretethe only remake by Merchant Ivory and the last Merchant Ivory film made without James Ivory or Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
2009The City of Your Final DestinationJames IvoryPaul Bradley and Pierre PronerRuth Prawer Jhabvalabased the novel by Peter Cameronthe final Merchant Ivory film

Academy Award wins and nominations

The Europeans

YearCategoryNomineeResultRef.
1979Best Costume DesignJudy MoorcroftNominated

The Bostonians

YearCategoryNomineeResultRef.
1984Best ActressVanessa RedgraveNominated
Best Costume DesignJenny Beavan, John BrightNominated

A Room with a View

YearCategoryNomineeResultRef.
1986Best PictureIsmail MerchantNominated
Best DirectorJames IvoryNominated
Best Supporting ActorDenholm ElliottNominated
Best Supporting ActressMaggie SmithNominated
Best Adapted ScreenplayRuth Prawer JhabvalaWon
Best CinematographyTony Pierce-RobertsNominated
Best Production DesignGianni Quaranta, Brian Ackland-Snow
Brian Savegar, Elio Altamura
Won
Best Costume DesignJenny Beavan, John BrightWon

Maurice

YearCategoryNomineeResultRef.
1987Best Costume DesignJenny Beavan, John BrightNominated

Mr. and Mrs. Bridge

YearCategoryNomineeResultRef.
1990Best ActressJoanne WoodwardNominated

Howards End

YearCategoryNomineeResultRef.
1993Best PictureIsmail MerchantNominated
Best DirectorJames IvoryNominated
Best ActressEmma ThompsonWon
Best Supporting ActressVanessa RedgraveNominated
Best Adapted ScreenplayRuth Prawer JhabvalaWon
Best CinematographyTony Pierce-RobertsNominated
Best Production DesignGianni Quaranta, Brian Ackland-Snow
Brian Savegar, Elio Altamura
Won
Best Costume DesignJenny Beavan, John BrightNominated
Best Original ScoreRichard RobbinsNominated

The Remains of the Day

YearCategoryNomineeResultRef.
1994Best PictureIsmail MerchantNominated
Best DirectorJames IvoryNominated
Best ActorAnthony HopkinsNominated
Best ActressEmma ThompsonNominated
Best Adapted ScreenplayRuth Prawer JhabvalaNominated
Best Production DesignGianni Quaranta, Brian Ackland-Snow
Brian Savegar, Elio Altamura
Nominated
Best Costume DesignJenny Beavan, John BrightNominated
Best Original ScoreRichard RobbinsNominated

Call Me by Your Name

YearCategoryNomineeResultRef.
2017Best PictureLuca Guadagnino, Emilie Georges, Peter Spears, Marco MorabitoNominated
Best ActorTimothée ChalametNominated
Best Adapted ScreenplayJames IvoryWon
Best Original SongMystery of LoveSufjan StevensNominated

Footnotes

  1. "Ismail Merchant" Archived 21 November 2008 at archive.today, The Times, 26 May 2005.
  2. Kaur, Harmanpreet. "The Wandering Company: Merchant-Ivory Productions and Post-Colonial Cinema" Archived 10 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Projectorhead Film Magazine, 10 January 2013.
  3. LaSalle, Mick. "Merchant-Ivory's final film a refined delight. Naturally" Archived 25 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 January 2006.
  4. Ebert, Roger. "Ismail Merchant: In Memory" Archived 16 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine, 26 May 2005.
  5. Fristoe, Roger. "Introduction to 50 Years of Merchant Ivory". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 McNary, Dave (12 October 2015). "'Howards End,' Merchant Ivory Library Bought by Cohen Media Group". Variety. Archived from the original on 15 April 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  7. Robbins, Jim (10 July 1985). "Cinecom Acquires Ancillary Sales Rights to 11 Merchant Ivory Pics". Variety. p. 4.
  8. Cohn, Lawrence (12 March 1986). "Merchant Ivory, Cinecom Teaming On Coproductions". Variety. p. 5.
  9. Gold, Richard (22 April 1987). "Merchant Ivory Resists Offers From Hollywood To Go Public". Variety. pp. 4, 7.
  10. 1 2 3 "Ismail Merchant". Telegraph Obituaries. 25 May 2005. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  11. "Disney Buys Miramax In Leap Toward Industry Lead – 60 Movies A Year Goal For Studio". Seattle Times. AP. 1 May 1993. Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.


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