Peter Ustinov (above, far left) has never been in a Merchant-Ivory film.

In part, it was the unexpected critical and commercial success of some of the Merchant-Ivory films that triggered the current "classics revival."

An England that, these days, existed only in Merchant-Ivory films.

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.

Her moment may begin on June 17 with the release of the Merchant-Ivory film "Heights."

It cost about $12 million, higher than any other Merchant-Ivory film but cheap by Hollywood standards.

At first glance they seem just random costumes from a Merchant-Ivory film.

"And, besides, every Merchant-Ivory film is set in 1902 and I wanted the costumes to look different."

Shoe trees were not invented for Anthony Hopkins to use in Merchant-Ivory films.

"But at this point it is beginning to feel a little like a Merchant-Ivory film commissioned on Mount Olympus."