A Candle in the Window (2019) - full transcript

(cow mooing)

(birds chirping)

(sighing)

- Already?

- Remember what Father said.

If we finish our chores on time

we'll have time to
go look for a tree.

- A tree!

- Help your sister get ready.

- Of course I will!

Come on slowpoke, and don't
forget to check the fire!



- (sighs) Put on
your boots, Emily.

You'll ruin those shoes
if you go outside in them.

(wind blowing)

- Nothing's been the
same for me, Molly.

I doubt we'll never
be able to fill this

emptiness.

It's not enough that my
heart has broken, but

to watch our girls
go through this.

They come home from school,
they don't play with friends.

They help me with farm.

Sarah seems to be coping.

She's taken on the role
of cook and housekeeper.

With the assistance
of Emily, of course.

I worry for them.



Most of all, Catherine.

Especially as we come up on this

first Christmas without you.

(birds chirping)

(hard breathing)

(cow mooing)

(water flowing)

(cows mooing)

- Just hold still, I'm
not gonna hurt you.

(cow mooing)

- Good morning, Papa.

Did you find the missing calf?

- Yes, Ma'am.

Found her stuck in a small
ravine, just past the ridge.

Back safe with her mama now.

- Papa, Papa, Papa!

- I'm not milking that
blasted cow anymore!

Sarah, starting tomorrow
we're swapping chores.

I'm cutting the wood!

(cow mooing)

(horse neighing)

She keeps knocking
over the bucket.

I did everything Mama taught me.

- Did you milk her clean?

- Yes, but we have
nothing to show for it.

- Well, look on the bright side.

Now there's no
waiting for the cream

to separate into butter.

And since the work is done.

- We can go get a tree!

Hurry up, girls, time to go!

(giggling)

- Hope Catherine doesn't
ruin this for the rest of us.

- Remember what
Mama used to say?

- Pray to have eyes to
see the best in people.

A heart that forgives the worst.

A mind that forgets offense.

- (together) And a soul that
never loses faith in God.

- Don't fall too
far behind, Cat.

- Cat, come on!

- Cat.

Catherine!

(sighing)

- (together) We're here!

- [Emily] We're
here, we're here!

- [Sarah] Come on,
Emily, come with me.

- Look at that one,
look at that one!

Look at that one.

- I think it's perfect.

What do you think, Cat?

Well.

(dramatic music)

- [John] What do you think, Cat?

What do you think?

- Huh?

- The tree, what do you think?

- It's all right, I guess.

- [John] Just all right?

I better get a second
opinion from your sisters.

Sarah, Emily.

- Come on.

- [Emily] Coming,
Papa, we're coming.

- What about this one?

- We need a bigger tree, Papa.

This one's not much
bigger than Emily.

- All right, well,
suit yourselves.

But, remember, we
have to haul it home.

And by we I mean, me.

- Look at that one,
look at that one.

- Oh, Papa, this is it, this
is the one, it's perfect.

- It is perfect.

- I think you're right, girls.

Catherine?

Good enough for me.

Let's cut it down, shall we?

Sarah, help me out.

- I wish Mama was here to see.

- [Catherine] Well she's not!

- Catherine, come on.

- Mama's gone, and
she's not coming back.

- Catherine.

- I'll go talk to her.

- Maybe she needs
some time to herself.

(birds chirping)

- I can't wait until we
can decorate the tree.

- We got a lot to
do when we get home

with chores and
preparing supper.

But tomorrow, as soon
as the chores are done,

we'll make a day of
it, how's that sound?

- Yes, Papa, that sounds
great, right, Emily?

- I'm chilled to the bone.

- Do you even know
what that means?

- Yes, it means my
bones are chilly.

(laughing)

(crickets chirping)

- Just like Mama used to do.

Now, Papa can find his way
back home through the darkness.

- [Emily] I love Christmas,
it reminds me of Mama.

- Christmas was Mama's
favorite time of year.

She always found a way
to make it extra special.

- It doesn't seem right.

- What doesn't?

- Mama died in the spring.

During that time of rebirth
and renewal of life,

to have to bury someone,
in a cold, lonely grave.

- Catherine.

- I'm going to bed.

(door closing)

- Mama isn't cold
and lonely, is she?

- I would hope not.

(door closing)

- Thank you for
the candle, girls.

Always makes finding the
house so much easier.

Where's Catherine?

- He already went to bed.

- Hopefully to sleep off
some of her foul mood.

(chortling)

- Why is Catherine
always so mad?

- I don't think she's mad,
honey, I think she's sad.

Anyway, it's probably best for
you girls to turn in as well.

We have a big day ahead of us.

Don't forget to say
your prayers, okay?

- Dear God, it's me, Emily.

Thank you that we could
get a Christmas tree

and that Papa could
find his way back home.

Bless Mama to feel
loved and be warm

and not to be cold and lonely.

Bless Catherine to be happy
again, in Jesus' name, amen.

Catherine, are you
gonna say your prayers?

- I don't feel up to it.

- Lately, you never
seem to feel up to it.

(wind blowing)

Dear God, Catherine didn't
feel like praying tonight,

so I will do it for her.

(birds chirping)

(wind blowing)

- [Emily] Good morning, Papa.

Guess what, Mama visited
me in a dream last night.

- Did she?

- [Emily] She sure did.

She looked ever so beautiful.

Her hair was long and shiny,

and she laughed
and played with me.

We went to the meadow
and picked flowers,

and laid on our backs
and watched the clouds.

- That sounds
really nice, Emily.

- [Emily] Sometimes I'm
sad Mama had to leave,

but when I see her
she's smiling and happy.

And then I'm not sad anymore.

She promised me she would
visit me on Christmas.

Isn't that wonderful, Papa?

(dish breaking)

- Catherine, are you all right?

Catherine.

(dish clattering)

Catherine.

(door closing)

(birds chirping)

- What did you tell her?

- I didn't know
what to say, Cat.

Emily's faith never waivers.

She's convinced that it's true.

And how could I dash her hopes
and break her tiny heart?

(wood chopping)

Can I help?

(cow mooing)

Thank you for all your
help with the chores.

Really makes things easier.

Now first things first.

Put a log on the stump.

And plan where you're gonna aim.

Look for cracks or
other signs of weakness.

The best strike will
be near the edge.

You know where you're aiming?

Now hold the ax
about waist high.

Left hand at the base, right
hand at the top, away from you.

Feet apart, just a little bit.

Okay, now rise up on your toes.

And at the peak of your upswing.

That's it.

(crying)

- How can Emily be so sure?

She talks about Mom as
if she's still here.

But she's gone.

- She's not gone.

She's not.

I see her in Emily's laugh

and Sarah's kindness

and in your beautiful smile.

There she is.

- What are we gonna
do about Emily?

She'll be devastated
when Mama doesn't

show up on Christmas.

- I don't know.

(birds chirping)

(wind blowing)

(geese honking)

- Can I help you with your hair?

(soft dramatic music)

Did you mean it,

what you said about
Mama being all alone?

- I don't know.

Maybe I just feel like
we're the ones left alone.

I just miss Mama.

- I do too.

We just have to be
careful about what

we say in front of Emily.

(chicken clucking)

- Is it true that Emily
is really convinced

that Mama is going to
visit us on Christmas?

- She is convinced that even
I found myself believing.

Or at least wanting to.

- If only it could be true.

But we know it
isn't, right, Papa?

- Emily's always been a
delicate, sensitive child.

With spiritual depth of
someone much older and wiser.

At times, her words are so
simple, yet so profound,

I'm aware of how very close
she is to Heavenly Father's

spirit, and to your mother's.

- So you think it
might be possible?

- I'm just trying
to make the season

as joyful as I can for my girls.

But whatever happens, I
have a surprise for Emily

that will remind her
of Mother's love.

- Here, I think if you
take one like this.

(fire crackling)

Just pull it through.

You have to be really slow.

- [Catherine] Which
one do I push in?

- I think you try this side.

There you go, slowly.

There you go.

Here, I'll look for another one.

(giggling)

(fire crackling)

- [Emily] It's lovely, Mama's
gonna like it very much.

- Yes, yes, I think she is.

(birds chirping)

(wind blowing)

(broom sweeping)

- I'm done with my
chores, can we go now?

I'm sure Grandma and
Grandpa are waiting.

- And they're not
expecting us til tonight.

But that doesn't mean
we can't get ready now.

- Can we wear the dresses
Mother made us last year?

- Of course you can.

They may need a little mending.

You girls have
all grown so much.

Go on, go on, go
on, go on, go on.

- Yeah, just like
that, that's perfect.

- [John] Hey, where's Emily?

- She went to go get
another pail of water.

- Who's gonna break it to Emily

that Mama isn't coming tomorrow?

- We can't tell her that.

- We have to tell her something.

- I don't know.

I just don't know if we should.

- What's gonna happen to her
when she awakens tomorrow

and sees that
nothing has changed?

- It might be a good idea to
give Emily her gift tonight.

- Yeah, yeah, I think
that's a good idea.

(fire crackling)

- I wish we could tell Mama
how much we love the dresses.

- I think she knows.

- Of course she does, Papa.

Just because we can't see her
doesn't mean she isn't here.

- I believe you're right, Emily.

Perhaps she is often with us,

and we just can't
see her when she is.

- Is it time to go?

- Almost, and I have
something special for you.

- Just for me?

- Just for you.

- What is it, Papa?

- Well you'll have to see, hmm.

This way.

- Mama made this?

- Mm-hmm.

She wanted me to save
it for Christmas.

Christmas Eve is
close enough, right?

- It even smells a little
like Mama, like lilac.

- That's right.

That is what your
mother smelled like.

- I'll treasure
this doll forever.

Whenever I need a hug from
Mama, I can just hug my doll

to remember how
much she loves me.

- Come here.

(wind blowing)

- [Sarah] I hope Grandma
has her pudding this year.

- [Emily] I love pudding.

- [Sarah] Just leave
some for the rest of us.

- [Emily] I can't wait
to show Grandma my doll.

- All right, is everybody ready?

- Yeah.
- Uh-huh.

- Let's go.

- Don't worry, you'll
be warm with me.

(laughing)

(sleigh bells ringing)

- Grandma, Grandma!

- Oh, hello.

- Oh ho ho.

- [Sarah] Hi, Grandpa.

- Hi, Grandma.

- Let me see my girls.

Oh how beautiful you look.

It made Molly so
happy to make clothes

for you beautiful girls.

- Wait until you see
what Mama made me.

- Oh.

- [Catherine]
Emily, what's wrong?

- [Emily] My doll, it's gone!

- Do you remember
when you last had it?

- Maybe you left
it in the sleigh.

- What is it?

- Emily can't find her doll.

- Well, I'm sure it's
around here somewhere.

If we all pitch in,
we're bound to find it.

Let's go look.

- [Sarah] Emily, stay
inside and keep warm.

I'll check by the entrance.

- [Catherine] We'll
find your doll.

I'll look by the sleigh.

(coughing)

- It's not here.

But don't you worry, I'm
gonna find your doll.

I'm sure it's just
outside the house.

Okay?

(wind blowing)

(hard breathing)

(wind blowing)

(hard breathing)

(crickets chirping)

(clapping)

(crickets chirping)

(laughing)

(soft dramatic music)

(sighing)

- Well, well.

I don't believe we've had a
chance to have that dance yet.

- Hi, Grandpa.

- Oh (laughs).

Don't you worry, child.

Your Papa's gonna
find your doll.

- Papa!

(wind blowing)

- But I'm gonna go back
out and look again.

I just came inside to
make sure everyone's okay

and to warm up a little.

If I don't make it
back in an hour,

could you bring the kids home?

- Of course.

(crickets chirping)

- Papa must still
be out looking.

- You girls go change
into your night clothes.

I'll stoke up the fire.

I'm sure your
Papa'll be home soon.

- Don't be sad, Em.

Papa can order you a new
doll from the catalog.

- I want the doll Mama made me.

How disappointed Mama would
be in me that I lost my doll.

It was the last gift she
gave me, and I lost it.

- I don't think there's much
chance of finding Emily's doll.

I don't wanna
build her hopes up.

But I wish there was
something we could do

to make her feel better.

- How about some nice hot cider?

- And a cookie, maybe
a gingerbread cookie?

Aren't they your favorite?

- All right.

- Hurry and go
change your clothes,

and we'll go get it ready.

And don't worry, Em,
everything will work out.

(fire crackling)

- Come here, sweetheart.

Here you are.

(door closing)

- I'm sorry, sweetie.

I looked every inch of the way
from Grandma's house to here.

It's just not there.

- It's all right,
Papa, don't be sad.

- That's my brave girl.

- Dear God, it's me, Emily.

I don't mean to bother
you, but I lost a doll.

This isn't just any doll, a
doll that my Mama gave me.

She lives with you now.

Could you please ask her if
she could help find my doll?

Maybe from up there in heaven,
she could see where it is.

And thank you for Jesus.

If it's not too much trouble,

could you wish him a
happy birthday for me,

since it's Christmas?

Amen.

(wind blowing)

(fire crackling)

- Papa, is it okay to put
a candle in the window?

- What for?

- So Mama can find her way home?

Papa, isn't it okay to put
a candle in the window?

- Yes.

Yes, Angel, it is.

(match striking)

- There, that's much better.

- I am the light of the world.

He that follows Me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have
the light of life.

- Is that what Jesus said?

- Mm-hmm.

Just like that candle,

He lights our way home, to God.

(sighing)

♪ How silently ♪

♪ How silently ♪

♪ The wondrous gift was given ♪

♪ So God imparts
to human hearts ♪

♪ The blessings of ♪

♪ His hand ♪

♪ No ear may hear His coming ♪

♪ But in this world of sin ♪

♪ Where meek souls will
receive Him still ♪

♪ The dear Christ enters in ♪

(deep breathing)

- I wanna stay awake so I
can see Mama when she comes.

(yawning)

(wind blowing)

- Emily, Emily?

(wind blowing)

God, it's me, Catherine.

I know You haven't heard
from me for a while.

I'm sorry for being upset
with You about Mama.

I hope that you're real.

And I hope that she's
up there with You.

I'm thankful to have
such a warm, cozy house

with food and clothes.

I'm thankful for my
father and sisters,

and I'm especially thankful
that Jesus could be born.

Somehow, I feel a little guilty

that I've only been
thinking about myself,

when I should be thinking
about Jesus and His birth.

Maybe tomorrow you could
help us find Emily's doll.

In Jesus' name, amen.

(birds chirping)

- Believe in God.

Believe that He is.

Believe that He
created all things.

(door opening)

- Is Mother here?

Did she come in the night
while I was sleeping?

(birds chirping)

I know you didn't really
believe Mama would come,

but I felt so
strongly in my heart.

I'll go fetch the wood.

(birds chirping)

Papa!

- What is it?

(birds chirping)

(cows mooing)

(wind blowing)

- See, Mama did come.

She brought me my doll
just like I knew she would.

- Papa?

- I looked everywhere
last night.

Everywhere.

- [Sarah] Maybe
it was a neighbor.

- But there's no footprints,
or snow on the doll.

(wind blowing)

(cows mooing)

(cows mooing)

(birds chirping)

(whispering)