Ivy Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Ivy Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 30, 2025

Sam Wood's "Ivy" (1947) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films. The supplemental features on the release include new program with author and critic Jeremy Arnold; vintage radio adaptation; and original trailer. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Poison Ivy

A knowledgeable film lover will inevitably connect Ivy to Black Widow because there are numerous obvious similarities between the two. However, a knowledgeable film lover will inevitably point out that there is a lot that makes them unique as well. For example, Joan Fontaine and Theresa Russell’s characters both play chameleons that kill for money, but the latter is far more intelligent and ruthless. Also, unlike Fontaine, Russell does not seek true love because she understands that a romantic commitment makes her vulnerable.

Fontaine’s Victorian environment is drastically different as well. It is defined by contrasts that initiate her transformation into a chameleon, and she fears them. Because of this fear, Fontaine kills her broke husband (Richard Ney), frames her wealthier lover (Patric Knowles), and seduces an even wealthier older man (Herbert Marshall), with whom she believes her financial security will be guaranteed. Fontaine does not hide that she wants true love, but only as part of a deal in which her financial security is of greater importance.

Sam Wood’s camera spends a lot of time observing Fontaine while she is alone, battling her fear and pondering what-if scenarios. It is why Ivy is not a conventional crime film about a dangerous killer. It is an early psychological study whose main character happens to be a killer. As a result, the progression and resolution of its drama lack the tension and suspense that conventional crime films produce.

Something else that makes Ivy a unique film is the delicate cynicism that is channeled through it. It is a lot, coming from different directions and in many variations. For example, before Fontaine kills her husband, she very effectively manipulates her younger lover to conclude that her reluctance to break her marriage needs encouragement. At the same time, Fontaine also sends a clear signal to his older competitor that she is ready to begin a brand new affair, which also requires encouragement. However, Fontaine does not want the rivalry to produce her ideal new husband; she expects it to reveal who would be her ideal new benefactor. Unsurprisingly, the encouragement game she initiates is full of deceiving posturing and role-playing. The morality of the competitors is also shredded to pieces. It takes some time, but both reveal a willingness to protect and win Fontaine after it becomes obvious that she has been dishonest and likely killed her husband.

The visual style of Ivy is quite peculiar. Wood shot Ivy with the great cinematographer Russell Metty (Touch of Evil, Spartacus), but there is more in it that reveals the influence of its equally famous producer, William Cameron Menzies (Things to Come). Indeed, a lot of the visuals have an unmissable dreamy quality and seem perfect for a Victorian fairy tale, not a serious and cynical psychological study of a beautiful but evil chameleon.

Ivy is based on Marie Belloc Lowndes' novel "The Story of Ivy". A couple of decades earlier, Lowndes' writings also inspired Alfred Hitchcock to direct The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog, his first British film.

Ivy Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Ivy arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films.

The overall quality of the visuals ranges from very good to excellent. Delineation and depth are particularly impressive, so on a large screen, there is a lot to see and like. There are no traces of any problematic digital corrections. Density levels are very good. The grayscale is convincing, too. In fact, considering how delicate the cinematography is at times -- primarily because different shadows and light are utilized to give large sections of the film a special dreamy quality -- it is somewhat surprising to see how well the current transfer reproduces some pretty tricky visuals. There is no crushing, flattening, or other similar anomalies. There is one small section where a few visuals reveal a bit of surface wear, but they last less than a few seconds. Image stability is good. A few nicks can be spotted, but there are no large debris, cuts, marks, etc. All in all, while there is room for small cosmetic improvements, Ivy has a very attractive organic appearance on Blu-ray. My score is 4.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Ivy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The audio is very healthy. However, as soon as the opening credits appear, the native limitations of the original soundtrack become obvious. The music is quite thin, at times even a tad hollow. While modern remastering tools can introduce some enhancements, I do not think that any meaningful improvements can be made to strengthen fullness and depth. The dialog is very clear, sharp, and easy to follow.

Ivy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "A Classic Duplicity" - in this new program, Jeremy Arnold, author Turner Classic Movies: The Essentials, discusses Joan Fontaine's chameleon and some of the key themes that define Ivy. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• "Suspense: The Story of Ivy" - presented here is the 1945 radio adaptation of Marie Belloc Lowndes' novel that inspired Ivy, starring Ann Richards, Raymond Lawrence, and Willy Maher. In English, not subtitled. (30 min).

• Trailer - presented here is a vintage trailer for Ivy. In English, not subtitled. (1 min).

Ivy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Beauty can cause blindness. It can kill, too. In Ivy, a gorgeous Joan Fontaine kills her broke husband for another, financially secure man, but her perfect plan to start a new and happier chapter in her life unexpectedly collapses. Ivy is a good film. However, it is not a conventional crime film, but a curious early psychological study, which is a crucial detail that some of its critics have overlooked. Imprint Films' release offers a strong organic presentation of Ivy and is Region-Free. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.