Cotswolds-based ‘The Christmas Candle’ story finds new life in EchoLight Studios home video

As the world becomes more complex, will modern technological advances cause miracles to cease to exist? That’s a question explored in the film version of Max Lucado’s The Christmas Candle (848957000281, $14.99, EchoLight Studios/Capitol Christian Distribution), which released to theaters last year and debuts on home video Nov. 11.

Set in the fictional 19th-century English village of Gladbury, the story centers on David Richmond, played by Hans Matheson (Clash of the Titans, Sherlock Holmes), a progressive young minister who arrives in the village and begins a quest of modernization. This puts him at odds with an old-world candlemaker, but Richmond finds an unlikely ally in local skeptic Emily Barstow, played by Samantha Barks (Les Miserables).

Legend has it that 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 Christmas Candle also features the acting debut of popular singer Susan Boyle (Britain’s Got Talent), who also contributes a song to the film, “Miracle Hymn.”

Directed by John Stephenson, The Christmas Candle was produced by Tom Newman of Impact Productions and Hannah Leader of Big Book Media. EchoLight Studios is the new venture of former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Rick Santorum, who serves the company as CEO.

“Surprisingly, a Christmas movie releasing for the holidays is a unique event, as there have been very few in recent years,” Santorum said. “This film hearkens back to the heartwarming and uplifting movies of yesteryear. The story inspires renewed hope in the miracle of Christmas and illustrates that this holiday is not just about reindeer and receiving gifts. The Christmas Candle will remind audiences of the spirit and sense of wonder of the season—something that is often lost in our modern era.”

Lucado is excited about the new life the film has given his holiday story.

“This tale about a 19th-century village of simple people in the English Cotswolds in need of a miracle has lifted spirits for seven Christmases and now, thanks to producer Tom Newman and EchoLight Studios, the Candle story will touch a whole new generation,” he said. “I couldn’t be more pleased. What an honor to be a part of capturing a slice of this golden era of British history … the light of the candle still flickers.”

The Christmas Candle received a five-star recommendation from The Dove Foundation.

Learn more about the new DVD at capitolchristiandistribution.com.

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