Ivy Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Ivy Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov March 26, 2026

Sam Wood's "Ivy" (1947) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the release include new program with critic Neil Sinyard; new audio commentary by critic Eloise Ross; vintage radio adaptation; original trailer; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

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 an aspect ratio of 1.37:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Ivy arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

Last summer, we reviewed this Australian Blu-ray release of Ivy, which is the only other home video release of the film I have in my library. This upcoming British Blu-ray release appears to have been sourced from the same master that was used to prepare the Australian Blu-ray release. I think that this is good news. While the master is not perfect -- a few areas of it reveal minor density inconsistencies and tiny blemishes -- it produces visuals with strong organic qualities. In fact, some of these visuals look almost perfect, which is not easy because the original cinematography can be quite delicate at times. In an ideal world where the film is fully restored in 4K, grain exposure will be more even and healthier, but on the current master, it is already good, and there are no traces of any problematic digital corrections. The grayscale is also convincing, though this is another area where small improvements can be introduced. Image stability is good. All in all, while there is room for improvements, Ivy looks quite wonderful on Blu-ray. My score is 4.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Ivy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

Frequently, the music can be a bit thin. I believe this is an inherited limitation, and while I think that modern remastering technology can introduce some enhancements, the overall quality of the audio will likely remain extremely similar. Of course, I could be wrong. However, it is pretty easy to tell that the obvious inconsistencies are not introduced by aging. All exchanges are clear and easy to follow.

Ivy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this new audio commentary was recorded by critic Eloise Ross.

• The Unappreciated Director - in this new program, critic Neil Sinyard discusses Sam Wood's work and Ivy. In English, not subtitled. (20 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).

• Image Gallery - presented here is a collection of vintage promotional materials for Ivy.

• Booklet - an illustrated booklet with a new essay by Pamela Hutchinson, a career overview of production designer William Cameron Menzies, a look at Marie Belloc Lowndes' novel, and technical cretins.

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. Indicator/Powerhouse Films' upcoming release is sourced from the same strong organic master that Australian label Imprint Films worked with to produce the first high-definition release of Ivy. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.