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The Christmas Candle

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United Kingdom, United States · 2013
Rated PG · 1h 40m
Director John Stephenson
Starring Hans Matheson, Samantha Barks, Lesley Manville, Sylvester McCoy
Genre Drama, Family

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.

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What are critics saying?

30

Austin Chronicle by

The Christmas Candle is not only as picturesque and beautiful as a holiday card but also just as two-dimensionally flat.

50

New York Post by Kyle Smith

Ultimately, this throwback, made-for-TV-style film takes the easy way out in a cheesy climax, but its resolute quaintness may appeal to the kind of viewers who regard electricity as disturbingly newfangled.

60

Los Angeles Times by Martin Tsai

The Christmas Candle" seems destined to be a Hallmark movie of the week. But in spite of the hammy histrionics requisite for the genre, it is not at all a turkey.

63

Chicago Sun-Times by Mary Houlihan

Despite some fine production values, lovely photography and smart casting of a range of British stage and screen actors, The Christmas Candle can’t quite move beyond the weary metaphors. It has the feel of a slick television movie.

40

The New York Times by Nicolas Rapold

The residents of the English village Gladbury in the period holiday film The Christmas Candle might as well be bustling about in a snow globe for all their dimples, yuletide obsession and quaint, consumptive coughs.

30

Arizona Republic by Randy Cordova

The whole thing is sentimental corn, which isn’t bad if it’s handled with conviction and sincerity. But the direction by John Stephenson (better known for special effects than directing) is resolutely stiff and hollow. That’s murder for a movie dealing with miracles.

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