The Christmas Candle

Before he purchased Pinewood, the staunchly Methodist J Arthur Rank used to sponsor religious dramas, and he doubtless would be delighted by the message contained in this festive family offering from his old studio. However, this will probably be remembered for Susan Boyle's acting bow as the singing wife of church warden James Cosmo, who welcomes a new vicar (Hans Matheson) to the Cotswold village of Gladbury some time in the late 19th century. Having had his beliefs tested in the big city, the vicar is not prepared to accept that every 25 years a candle made by the family of a local chandler (Sylvester McCoy) will ensure the recipient's prayer is answered. But faith and fate conspire to teach him a yuletide lesson. That lesson might once have been taken to heart by British audiences, but it's hard to see it having much impact in our cynical times, especially as the script errs too frequently towards sentimental contrivance. But the ensemble is characterful and miracles do sometimes happen.