Ismail Merchant

Ismail Merchant

Born: December 25, 1936
Died: May 25, 2005
in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India
Ismail Merchant (born Ismail Noor Muhammad Abdul Rahman; 25 December 1936 – 25 May 2005) was an Indian-born film producer and director. He worked for many years in collaboration with Merchant Ivory Productions which included director (and Merchant's longtime professional and domestic partner) James Ivory as well as screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. Their films won six Academy Awards.

Movies for Ismail Merchant...

Merchant Ivory
Title: Merchant Ivory
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: November 11, 2023
Type: Movie
Merchant Ivory is the longest running partnership in the history of cinema. As a film production entity, Merchant Ivory was 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 43 films.
bee
A Tribute To Ismail Merchant
Title: A Tribute To Ismail Merchant
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: October 30, 2005
Type: Movie
bee
The Song of the Little Road
Title: The Song of the Little Road
Character: Self
Released: August 30, 2003
Type: Movie
Satyajit Ray’s masterpiece the Apu Trilogy is widely considered one of the most important works in cinema history. In 1992, Ray was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Oscar. But when film-preservationist David Sheppard volunteered to go to Bengal, he found the original negatives in a terrible state. “It’s hard to think of another world-class filmmaker”, says Sheppard, “whose oeuvre hangs by such a thin thread!” The Song of the Little Road tells the story of how a master’s body of work came so close to disintegration, and why Ray’s films move audiences so deeply across time and cultural boundaries. Three icons – director Martin Scorsese, producer Ismail Merchant, and music composer Ravi Shankar – illustrate stirringly what makes a masterpiece.
bee
Love & Loyalty: The Making of 'The Remains of the Day'
Title: Love & Loyalty: The Making of 'The Remains of the Day'
Character: Self
Released: October 22, 2001
Type: Movie
The filmmakers and lead actors of The Remains of the Day (1993) discuss how they came to make the film, and the subtle power of its execution.
bee
Blind Loyalty, Hollow Honor: England's Fatal Flaw
Title: Blind Loyalty, Hollow Honor: England's Fatal Flaw
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2001
Type: Movie
Historical context for The Remains of the Day.
bee
The Remains of the Day: The Filmmaker's Journey
Title: The Remains of the Day: The Filmmaker's Journey
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2001
Type: Movie
A documentary about making The Remains of the Day.
bee
Jefferson in Paris
Title: Jefferson in Paris
Character: Royal Indian Man
Released: March 31, 1995
Type: Movie
His wife having recently died, Thomas Jefferson accepts the post of United States ambassador to pre-revolutionary France, though he finds it difficult to adjust to life in a country where the aristocracy subjugates an increasingly restless peasantry. In Paris, he becomes smitten with cultured artist Maria Cosway, but, when his daughter visits from Virginia accompanied by her attractive slave, Sally Hemings, Jefferson's attentions are diverted.
bee
Slaves of New York
Title: Slaves of New York
Character: Party Guest (uncredited)
Released: March 18, 1989
Type: Movie
Meet the denizens of New York City: artists, prostitutes, saints, and seers. All are aspiring toward either fame or oblivion, and hoping for love and acceptance. Instead they find high rents, faithless partners, and dead-end careers.
bee
The Wandering Company
Title: The Wandering Company
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 1984
Type: Movie
Documentary about Merchant Ivory Productions, including interviews with the principals of the film production company and actors which have appeared in their films.
bee
Heat and Dust
Title: Heat and Dust
Character: Indish Guy (uncredited)
Released: January 1, 1983
Type: Movie
Anne is investigating the life of her grand-aunt Olivia, whose destiny has always been shrouded with scandal. As Anne delves into the history of her grand-aunt, she is led to reconsider her own life.
bee
Bombay Talkie
Title: Bombay Talkie
Character: Fate Machine Producer
Released: November 18, 1970
Type: Movie
An English novelist travels to Bombay to watch one of her novels translated to film. She chases after the movie's leading man while the screenwriter chases after her.
bee
Shakespeare-Wallah
Title: Shakespeare-Wallah
Character: Theater Owner (uncredited)
Released: December 1, 1965
Type: Movie
The story of a family troupe of English actors who travel around the towns and villages in India giving performances of Shakespearean plays. Through their travels we see the changing face of India as the old is replaced by the new, Maharajas become hotel owners, sports become more important than culture and the theater is replaced by Bollywood movies. Based on the travels of Geoffrey Kendal with his daughter Felicity Kendal.
bee
The Householder
Title: The Householder
Character: Extra
Released: October 20, 1963
Type: Movie
Follows the fortunes of a young teacher, Prem, who isn't ready to take on the responsibilities of his arranged marriage.
bee
James Ivory Remembers Ismail Merchant
Title: James Ivory Remembers Ismail Merchant
Character: Himself (archive footage)
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie