Tyler Brooks
The Christmas Candle is a Christmas drama film directed by John Stephenson, based on Max Lucado's novel of the same name. It was released in 2013 and stars Hans Matheson, Samantha Barks, and Susan Boyle, who also contributed an original song to the film. The movie is set in the 19th century and centres around a pastor who accepts a position in a town that believes in a Christmas miracle candle, which he strives to abolish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of release | 2013 |
| Genre | Drama, Family |
| Rating | 6.3 |
| Director | John Stephenson |
| Screenplay writer | NA |
| Main cast | Hans Matheson, Samantha Barks, James Cosmo, John Hannah, Susan Boyle |
| Production company | Impact and Big Book Media |
| Distributor | EchoLight Studios (US), Pinewood Pictures (UK) |
| Filming locations | Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Isle of Man, Wiltshire |
| Based on | Max Lucado's novel The Christmas Candle |
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What You'll Learn
The movie was released in 2013
The movie "The Christmas Candle" was released in 2013. It is a Christmas drama film directed by John Stephenson and based on Max Lucado's novel of the same name. The film stars Hans Matheson as Reverend David Richmond, a progressive young minister who has lost his faith. It also stars Samantha Barks as Emily Barstow, a lovely skeptic who becomes an unlikely ally to Richmond.
The story is set in 1890 in the enchanting village of Gladbury, where every 25 years, an angel is said to visit the village candlemaker and touch a single candle. Whoever lights this candle receives a miracle on Christmas Eve. When Richmond arrives in Gladbury, he finds himself at odds with the old-world candlemaker and tries to convert the townspeople from their candle-based faith to a more pragmatic approach, encouraging them to perform good deeds and acts of kindness.
"The Christmas Candle" was released in select movie theatres and received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the cinematography, music score, and costume design, others found the story incoherent and overly sentimental. Despite the criticisms, the movie has become a beloved Christmas classic for many, with viewers appreciating its uplifting message of hope, faith, and community.
The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray in 2014, allowing a wider audience to experience the magical tale of "The Christmas Candle." The home release included bonus features and deleted scenes, extending the enchanting world created by the filmmakers.
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![The Christmas Candle [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91D1nndPP7L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Christmas Candle [DVD] [2013] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51OCb4LnZdL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![The Christmas Candle [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81CaWzD-ufL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
It is based on Max Lucado's novel of the same name
The movie "The Christmas Candle" is based on Max Lucado's novel of the same name. The film, released in 2013, is a Christmas drama that revolves around the legend of a magical candle in the fictional village of Gladbury.
In the movie, this enchanting village is nestled deep in the heart of the English countryside. The legend says that every 25 years, an angel visits the village candlemaker and bestows a miracle upon whoever lights the Christmas Candle on Christmas Eve. The story unfolds in 1890, at a time when the advent of electricity threatens to overshadow this age-old tradition.
The plot centres around Reverend David Richmond, portrayed by Hans Matheson, who arrives in Gladbury with a mission to modernise the village. He finds himself at odds with the traditional beliefs of the villagers, particularly their faith in the Christmas Candle. While he strives to abolish their reliance on the candle, he introduces the idea that miracles can be created through good deeds and acts of kindness.
The movie explores themes of faith, community, and the true meaning of Christmas. It showcases the power of human connection and the impact of small gestures. Despite some mixed reviews regarding the screenplay and acting, "The Christmas Candle" has become a beloved holiday movie for many, leaving viewers with a warm and uplifting feeling.
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The Christmas Candle received mixed reviews
The Christmas Candle, a 2013 Christmas drama film directed by John Stephenson, received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. While some praised the movie for its heart-warming story, stunning visuals, and positive message, others found it underwhelming and overly sentimental.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film received a low rating of 22% positive reviews, with an average score of 4.2/10. Critics described the movie as "artless and muddled" (New York Daily News), "stiff and hollow" (Arizona Republic), and "overly sentimental and lacking in genuine emotion" (Mark Kermode). Kermode also noted that the performances were not strong enough to elevate the material. These reviews highlight the impression that the film failed to deliver a compelling narrative and engaging performances.
However, some viewers appreciated the movie's wholesome content and uplifting message. IMDb user reviews mention the beautiful costumes, charming setting, and relatable themes of community, faith, and miracles. One user even compared it favourably to the classic film "It's a Wonderful Life", suggesting that "The Christmas Candle" has the potential to become a beloved Christmas classic.
The movie's cast also received mixed feedback. While some viewers praised the performances of Hans Matheson, Samantha Barks, and John Hannah, others found Susan Boyle's acting debut stiff and amateurish. Despite the criticism, Boyle's musical contribution, "Miracle Hymn", was well-received, and her fans may still appreciate her performance in the film.
Overall, "The Christmas Candle" seems to have divided audiences and critics. While some found it predictable, overly sentimental, and lacking in narrative coherence, others were charmed by its uplifting message, stunning visuals, and positive portrayal of community and faith.
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The film set is in the enchanting village of Gladbury
As the story unfolds, a young and progressive minister, David Richmond, arrives in Gladbury. He finds the village steeped in tradition, with the local candle shop owned by the Haddington family for generations. The Haddingtons believe that their candles hold the power to grant miracles, a notion that Reverend Richmond dismisses as nonsense. He strives to convert the townspeople from their candle-based faith to a more pragmatic approach, encouraging them to perform good deeds and acts of kindness instead.
However, his efforts to modernise Gladbury face resistance from the old-world candlemaker, who is determined to preserve the legacy of the Christmas Candle. The film's setting in the charming village of Gladbury, with its mix of old-world charm and the encroaching modern era, serves as a backdrop for a story of faith, miracles, and community.
The film's production design and costume choices bring the enchanting village of Gladbury to life. The attention to detail in the sets and costumes enhances the authenticity of the film, transporting viewers back to the late 19th century. The quaintness and charm of the fictional village are highlighted, creating a visually stunning backdrop for the story to unfold.
Overall, the film set in Gladbury captures the essence of a quaint and enchanting English village, providing a beautiful and atmospheric setting for the story of "The Christmas Candle". The village's legend, combined with the arrival of Reverend Richmond, sets the stage for a tale of conflicting beliefs, miracles, and the true meaning of Christmas.
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The Christmas Candle is a drama, family film
The film centres around a pastor, Reverend David Richmond, who has suffered a personal loss and accepts a new position in Gladbury. He is an idealistic man of God who has lost his faith and is struggling to find it again. Upon his arrival, he learns the town's secret: every 25 years, an angel visits the village candlemaker and touches a single candle. Whoever lights this candle receives a miracle on Christmas Eve. The pastor tries to convert the townspeople from their belief in the Christmas candle, encouraging them to be miracles for each other through good deeds and simple acts of kindness.
Despite the pastor's efforts, the villagers continue to believe in the candle's power. The Haddingtons, the family that owns the candle shop, want to keep the candle for themselves, hoping that their missing son will return. However, on the night that the candle is to be blessed, it goes missing, leading to a mix-up where multiple villagers believe they have received the blessed candle.
The film explores the theme of faith and the power of miracles, with a mix of Protestant and Roman Catholic theology. It has beautiful costumes and scenery, evoking the time and place of 19th-century England authentically. While some critics found the film overly sentimental and lacking in genuine emotion, others praised its message of hope and endurance, making it a heart-warming family film for the holiday season.
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Frequently asked questions
The Christmas Candle was released in 2013.
The movie is about a pastor who accepts a position in a town that believes in a Christmas miracle candle, which he tries to abolish.
The Christmas Candle was directed by John Stephenson.
