Title: The Christmas Candle
Director: John Stephenson
Writer: Candace Lee
Cast: Hans Matheson, Samantha Barks, Sylvestor McCoy, Lesley Manville
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2739338/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_8
Rating: 3/5
Source: Owned DVD

Plot: “Deep in the heart of the English countryside lies the enchanting village of Gladbury. Legend has it every 25 years an angel visits the village candlemaker and touches a single candle. Whoever lights this candle receives a miracle on Christmas Eve. But in 1890, at the dawn of the electric age, this centuries old legend may come to an end. When David Richmond (Hans Matheson), a progressive young minister, arrives in Gladbury, the villagers discover a new formula for miracles: good deeds and acts of kindness. While David’s quest to modernize Gladbury sets him at odds with the old world candlemaker, he finds an unlikely ally in the lovely skeptic, Emily Barstow (Samantha Barks). Now, the fiery candlemaker must fight to preserve the legacy of the Christmas Candle. But when the candle goes missing, the miraculous and human collide in the most astonishing Christmas the village of Gladbury has ever seen.”

It’s nearly Christmas folks! And today I’m talking to you about a lovely family film to add to the Christmas collection. Based on the short story by Max Lucado, The Christmas Candle is a wonderful film that carries the theme of hope, with a cast led by Hans Matheson and Samantha Barks. Despite having to work with the somewhat meek, boring and typical script, both are great and shine in their roles, respectively. The rest of the cast is wonderful too including Sylvestor McCoy, Lesley Manville, John Hannah and even a cameo by Susan Boyle.

The film is aesthetically beautiful, having filmed in locations such as the Cotswolds and the Isle Of Man.

It’s one of those films that does it’s job. A film set at Christmas carrying the theme of hope wanted to be made and here it is!

Despite the script, I would recommend it as a film to watch at Christmas under the duvet with a cup of tea and a cake.

thanks for reading! 🙂