The Delhi Way (1964)

While often overshadowed by their lavish feature films, *The Delhi Way (1964)* is a pivotal and essential entry in James Ivory's filmography, cementing its place among his "best" by being one of the earliest and most formative collaborations with Ismail Merchant and Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. This elegant short documentary, beautifully shot in black and white, showcases the nascent artistic sensibilities that would define the Merchant Ivory aesthetic: a keen eye for architectural detail, an intimate observation of daily life, and a profound appreciation for India's rich cultural tapestry. It demonstrates Ivory's remarkable ability to capture the soul of a place, a skill he would hone in later masterpieces like *Heat and Dust* and *A Room with a View*. *The Delhi Way* belongs on the "Best James Ivory Movies" list not just as a historical curiosity, but as a crucial blueprint for the themes and visual poetry that became his signature. It foretells the cross-cultural encounters, the melancholic beauty, and the meticulous sense of time and place that would captivate audiences for decades. Even in this early, non-narrative work, one can discern Ivory's unmistakable visual flair and his empathetic gaze, laying the groundwork for a career dedicated to nuanced character studies set against breathtaking backdrops. It's a pure distillation of the Merchant Ivory magic, proving their genius was present from the very beginning.