Merchant Ivory Productions is a film company founded in 1961 by director James Ivory, producer Ismail Merchant, and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. The company is known for its high-quality period dramas, often adapted from classic literature. Their films typically explore themes of class, culture, and relationships, set against richly detailed historical backdrops. The collaboration between Ivory, Merchant, and Jhabvala resulted in numerous acclaimed films, including A Room with a View and Howards End. Their work has received multiple awards, including several Academy Awards, and has significantly influenced the genre of literary adaptations in cinema.