Merchant Ivory Productions

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{{Short description|Film production company}}

{{EngvarB|date=February 2018}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}

{{Infobox company

|name = Merchant Ivory Productions

|logo =

|foundation = 1961

|founder = Ismail Merchant
James Ivory

|location_city =

}}

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.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

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.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

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!"[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,60-1627804,00.html "Ismail Merchant"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20081121213243/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,60-1627804,00.html |date=21 November 2008 }}, The Times, 26 May 2005.

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,Kaur, Harmanpreet. [http://www.projectorhead.in/eight/wandering-company.html "The Wandering Company: Merchant-Ivory Productions and Post-Colonial Cinema"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610194545/http://www.projectorhead.in/eight/wandering-company.html |date=10 June 2013 }}, Projectorhead Film Magazine, 10 January 2013. 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, based on a classic novel, 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.LaSalle, Mick. [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/01/13/DDGGDGLSO61.DTL&type=movies "Merchant-Ivory's final film a refined delight. Naturally"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525005928/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2006%2F01%2F13%2FDDGGDGLSO61.DTL&type=movies |date=25 May 2011 }}, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 January 2006.Ebert, Roger. [http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050526/PEOPLE/50526001 "Ismail Merchant: In Memory"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716191643/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20050526%2FPEOPLE%2F50526001 |date=16 July 2012 }}, 26 May 2005.

History

Merchant Ivory Productions was founded in 1961 by Ismail Merchant and James Ivory{{cite web |last1=Fristoe |first1=Roger |title=Introduction to 50 Years of Merchant Ivory |url=https://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/430598 |website=Turner Classic Movies |access-date=March 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326121035/http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/430514%7C430598/Introduction-to-50-Years-of-Merchant-Ivory.html |archive-date=26 March 2016 |url-status=live }} in India to produce English language films.

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.{{Cite news|last=Robbins|first=Jim|date=1985-07-10|title=Cinecom Acquires Ancillary Sales Rights to 11 Merchant Ivory Pics|page=4|work=Variety}} In 1986, Merchant Ivory and Cinecom begin their co-production lineup with the film The Deceivers.{{Cite news|last=Cohn|first=Lawrence|date=1986-03-12|title=Merchant Ivory, Cinecom Teaming On Coproductions|page=5|work=Variety}} In 1987, after 25 years as an independent producer, Merchant Ivory Productions 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.{{Cite news|last=Gold|first=Richard|date=1987-04-22|title=Merchant Ivory Resists Offers From Hollywood To Go Public|pages=4, 7|work=Variety}}

Around 1990, they moved their productions to England and the United States. Ruth Prawer Jhabvala became their frequent collaborating writer.{{cite news |last1=McNary |first1=Dave |title='Howards End,' Merchant Ivory Library Bought by Cohen Media Group |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/howards-end-merchant-ivory-cohen-media-1201616018/ |access-date=March 15, 2019 |work=Variety |date=October 12, 2015 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415063757/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/howards-end-merchant-ivory-cohen-media-1201616018/ |archive-date=15 April 2017 |url-status=live }} Major film studios sought them out; Disney signed Merchant Ivory Productions to a three-year distribution deal in 1991.{{cite news |title=Ismail Merchant |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1490737/Ismail-Merchant.html |access-date=March 15, 2019 |work=Telegraph Obituaries |date=May 25, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121120053/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1490737/Ismail-Merchant.html |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Disney Buys Miramax In Leap Toward Industry Lead – 60 Movies A Year Goal For Studio |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19930501/1698849/disney-buys-miramax-in-leap-toward-industry-lead----60-movies-a-year-goal-for-studio |access-date=March 15, 2019 |work=Seattle Times |agency=AP |date=May 1, 1993 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413032821/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19930501&slug=1698849 |archive-date=13 April 2019 |url-status=live }}

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.

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

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"

!Year

!Film

!Category

!Result

1986

| A Room with a View

| rowspan="3" | Best Director

| {{Nom}}

1993

| Howards End

| {{Nom}}

1994

| The Remains of the Day

| {{Nom}}

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

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"

!Year

!Film

!Category

!Result

1960

| The Creation of a Woman

| Live Action Short Film

|{{nom}}

1986

| A Room with a View

| rowspan="3" | Best Picture

| {{Nom}}

1993

| Howards End

| {{Nom}}

1994

| The Remains of the Day

| {{Nom}}

= Ruth Prawer Jhabvala =

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

Academy Awards

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"

!Year

!Film

!Category

!Result

1986

| A Room with a View

| rowspan="3" | Best Adapted Screenplay

| {{won}}

1993

| Howards End

| {{won}}

1994

| The Remains of the Day

| {{Nom}}

= 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.

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"

!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

rowspan="2" | 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

rowspan="2" | 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.

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"

! Year !! Title !! Director !! Producer !! Screenwriter !! Source Material !! Other notes

1963The Householderrowspan="3" | James Ivoryrowspan="3" | Ismail Merchantrowspan="2" | Ruth Prawer Jhabvalaadapted from the novel of the same name by Jhabvalathe first Merchant Ivory adaptation of a novel by Jhabvala
1965Shakespeare Wallahrowspan="4" | original story
rowspan="2"| 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 Talkierowspan="9" | James 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
rowspan="2"| 1975The Wild Partyrowspan="11" | Ismail MerchantWalter Marksbased on the poem by Joseph Moncure March
Autobiography of a Princessrowspan="6" | Ruth Prawer Jhabvalarowspan="3" | original 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
rowspan="2"| 1983The Courtesans of BombayIsmail MerchantIsmail Merchant, James Ivory, and Ruth Prawer Jhabvalaoriginal storyTV film
Heat and Dustrowspan="3" | James Ivoryrowspan="3" | Ruth Prawer Jhabvalabased 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 Ivoryrowspan="3" | Ismail MerchantJames Ivory and Kit Hesketh-Harveybased on the novel by E. M. Forsterthe second Merchant Ivory adaptation of a novel by Forster
rowspan="2"| 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 Yorkrowspan="2" | James IvoryIsmail Merchant, Gary Hendler, Fred Hughes (associate), and Vincent Fremont (associate)Tama Janowitzbased on a collection of stories by Janowitz
1990Mr. & Mrs. Bridgerowspan="2" | Ismail MerchantRuth Prawer Jhabvalabased on Mrs. Bridge and Mr. Bridge by Evan S. Connell
rowspan="2"| 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
rowspan="2"| 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 and Harold Pinter (uncredited)based on the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro
rowspan="2"| 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
rowspan="2"| 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
rowspan="2"| 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
rowspan="2"| 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

class="wikitable unsortable"

! Year !! Category !! Nominee !! Project !! Result !! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}

1979Best Costume DesignJudy MoorcroftThe Europeans{{nom}}{{cite web|url= https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1980|title= 52nd Academy Awards|website= Oscars.org|date= March 2022|accessdate= February 27, 2024}}
rowspan=2|1984Best ActressVanessa Redgraverowspan=2|The Bostonians{{nom}}rowspan=2|{{cite web|url= https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1985|title= 57th Academy Awards|website= Oscars.org|date= 5 October 2014|accessdate= February 27, 2024}}
Best Costume DesignJenny Beavan and John Bright{{nom}}
rowspan=8|1986Best PictureIsmail Merchantrowspan=8|A Room with a View{{nom}}rowspan=8|{{cite web|url= https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1987|title= 59th Academy Awards|website= Oscars.org|date= 28 January 2022|accessdate= February 27, 2024}}
Best DirectorJames Ivory{{nom}}
Best Supporting ActorDenholm Elliott{{nom}}
Best Supporting ActressMaggie Smith{{nom}}
Best Adapted ScreenplayRuth Prawer Jhabvala{{win}}
Best CinematographyTony Pierce-Roberts{{nom}}
Best Production DesignGianni Quaranta, Brian Ackland-Snow, Brian Savegar and Elio Altamura{{win}}
Best Costume DesignJenny Beavan and John Bright{{win}}
1987Best Costume DesignJenny Beavan and John BrightMaurice{{nom}}{{cite web|url= https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1988|title= 60th Academy Awards|website= Oscars.org|date= 4 December 2015|accessdate= February 27, 2024}}
1990Best ActressJoanne WoodwardMr. & Mrs. Bridge{{nom}}{{cite web|url= https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1991|title= 63rd Academy Awards|website= Oscars.org|date= 4 October 2014|accessdate= February 27, 2024}}
rowspan=9|1992Best PictureIsmail Merchantrowspan=9|Howards End{{nom}}rowspan=9|{{cite web|url= https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1993|title= 64th Academy Awards|website= Oscars.org|date= 4 October 2014|accessdate= February 27, 2024}}
Best DirectorJames Ivory{{nom}}
Best ActressEmma Thompson{{win}}
Best Supporting ActressVanessa Redgrave{{nom}}
Best Adapted ScreenplayRuth Prawer Jhabvala{{win}}
Best CinematographyTony Pierce-Roberts{{nom}}
Best Production DesignGianni Quaranta, Brian Ackland-Snow, Brian Savegar and Elio Altamura{{win}}
Best Costume DesignJenny Beavan and John Bright{{nom}}
Best Original ScoreRichard Robbins{{nom}}
rowspan=8|1993Best PictureIsmail Merchantrowspan=8|The Remains of the Day{{nom}}rowspan=8|{{cite web|url= https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1994|title= 65th Academy Awards|website= Oscars.org|date= 4 October 2014|accessdate= February 27, 2024}}
Best DirectorJames Ivory{{nom}}
Best ActorAnthony Hopkins{{nom}}
Best ActressEmma Thompson{{nom}}
Best Adapted ScreenplayRuth Prawer Jhabvala{{nom}}
Best Production DesignGianni Quaranta, Brian Ackland-Snow, Brian Savegar and Elio Altamura{{nom}}
Best Costume DesignJenny Beavan and John Bright{{nom}}
Best Original ScoreRichard Robbins{{nom}}

Footnotes

{{Reflist}}