Director: Sam Wood
Screenplay: Charles Bennett
Based on the novel: The Story of Ivy by Marie Belloc Lowndes
Starring: Joan Fontaine, Patric Knowles, Herbert Marshall, Richard Ney, Cedric Hardwicke (as Sir Cedric Hardwicke), Lucile Watson, Sara Allgood, Henry Stephenson, Rosalind Ivan, Lilian Fontaine, Molly Lamont, Una O’Connor, Isobel Elsom, Alan Napier
Country: USA
Running Time: 99 min
Year: 1947
BBFC Certificate: PG
By 1947, actress Joan Fontaine was only 12 years into a career that would span five decades. In that first decade or so, Fontaine appeared in over 20 films, including major roles in The Man Who Found Himself (1937) and Gunga Din (1939) before appearing in two Alfred Hitchcock classics, Rebecca (1940) and Suspicion (1941), which made her a star. She would be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for both her Hitchcock performances, winning for Suspicion.
Then, after a third Academy Award nomination for The Constant Nymph (1943) came Ivy (1947), the subject of this review, and an excellent film in its own right. The film, scripted by Hitchcock collaborator Charles Bennett, was based on the novel The Story of Ivy by Marie Belloc Lowndes, an author perhaps best known for her Jack the Ripper novel The Lodger (1913), which would make its way to the screen in 1927 as The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog directed by Hitchcock.
Directed by Sam Wood, Ivy is set in the Edwardian era and follows gold-digging Ivy (Joan Fontaine) who meets the handsome and wealthy Miles (Herbert Marshall). Ivy will stop at nothing to get Miles and his money. Ivy is married and her efforts to get the wealthy suitor see her murdering her husband Jervis (Richard Ney) and framing her lover Roger (Patric Knowles) for the crime.
All seems to be going her way, but Inspector Orpington (Cedric Hardwicke) suspects her and so begins a game of cat and mouse – will Ivy get away with her crimes or will she give the game away – or give in to guilt – and be caught. This paves the way for a final act courtroom drama as Ivy is called to give evidence at the trial of her lover.
Fontaine is fantastic in the headline role of femme fatale, showcasing why she’s never short of a man (or two or three), but playing the character’s sinister side well too. Just watch her subtle looks and changes in her face that tell us a little bit about her. Hardwicke is always a pleasure to spend time with and he’s quite wonderful as the Inspector who is hot on the trail of Ivy and her crimes. And special mention for Una O’Connor as Mrs Thrawn. O’Connor is best remembered for her comic turns for director James Whale in the likes of The Invisible Man (1933) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Fontaine’s mother Lilian Fontaine also has a small role as Lady Flora.
The cinematography by Russell Metty is absolutely gorgeous and it’s a sumptuous production thanks to the fantastic production design of William Cameron Menzies, who had earlier worked on the epic Gone with the Wind (1939) and was also the producer on Ivy.
There are some cracking scenes throughout the film, which makes for uncomfortable viewing and keeps the audience on the edge of their seat. I was unsettled on more than one occasion by Ivy’s actions with the story veering into film noir territory at times. The actors are given a chance to shine thanks to the cinematography, which features some interesting close-ups, allowing eyes and faces to do the work. The use of light and shadow is also quite fabulous.
Standout sequences include the opening scene, which starts the film in an unsettling way, helped by the ominous score of Daniel Anfitheatrof, the moment when Ivy realises what she must do and spots a bottle of poison (there’s some wonderful light and shadow play here), Ivy’s first interrogation by the Inspector, and a gripping final act. Going back to the Inspector, I’d add that each of the scenes in which he appears is brilliant.
In closing, Ivy is an atmospheric, brilliantly acted, crime melodrama that is suspenseful and unsettling at times and is incredibly watchable from start to finish thanks to those wonderful performances, headlined by Joan Fontaine, and great production design and cinematography.
Film: 
Ivy is released on limited edition Blu-ray by Powerhouse Films on their Indicator label on 30th March 2026. The high-definition remaster looks very good throughout, the inky black and white cinematography coming across very well. Detail is fine, clarity strong and grain natural. A pleasing presentation. The audio also sounds good.
Indicator limited edition Blu-ray special features
High-definition remaster
Original mono audio
Audio commentary with academic and film curator Eloise Ross (2026)
Neil Sinyard on ‘Ivy’ (2026): in-depth appreciation of the film and director Sam Wood by the writer and film historian
Suspense: ‘The Story of Ivy’ (1945): radio adaptation of Marie Belloc Lowndes’ novel, starring Ann Richards, Raymond Lawrence, and Wally Maher
Original theatrical trailer
Image gallery: promotional and publicity material
New English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Limited edition exclusive 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 film credits
UK premiere on Blu-ray
Limited edition of 3,000 copies for the UK
Academic and film curator Eloise Ross’s audio commentary is very good, packing in loads of information, background and detail on the film, its players and those involved behind the camera. Ross covers the background to the novel, and the period in which the film was made, and so much more. It’s one of my favourite commentaries of recent months.
Writer and film historian Neil Sinyard’s 19-minute piece is typically great, focusing on director Sam Wood to start with and how his career was successful yet he’s not as well remembered as many Hollywood directors of the time. Sinyard covers some of the director’s films such as a couple by the Marx Brothers, A Night at the Opera (1935) and A Day at the Races (1937). Sinyard also looks at actor Fontaine’s performance, highlighting her shifts in mood in the film which are fantastic. Essential viewing.
The radio play Suspense: The Story of Ivy is also included. Originally broadcast on 21 July 1945, it stars Ann Richards, Raymond Lawrence, Wally Maher and Gavin Gordon and runs for 27 minutes. It’s an economical telling of the story, and a welcome inclusion.
The trailer only runs for 30 seconds and focuses on star Joan Fontaine.
A collection of almost 50 stills, promotional images and posters rounds out the on-disc package.
I was provided with a PDF of the 36-page booklet, which is a typically strong one from Indicator, who always get the right balance between excellent new analysis and archival gems with their booklets. This one contains a fabulous new essay by Pamela Hutchinson, as well as an excellent overview of author Marie Belloc Lowndes and the source material novel which the film was based on, archival interviews covering the production design and producer William Cameron Menzies, as well as critical responses.
So, it’s a small selection of extras, but what’s included is welcome, not least Neil Sinyard’s excellent overview of the film and its director, and a fabulous commentary by Eloise Ross.
In closing, Indicator have provided a very good presentation of Ivy, a strong crime melodrama, which is very well acted, suspenseful and highly atmospheric, supported by some excellent contextualising on-disc extras and a marvellous booklet.
Disc/Package: