Solomon Kane (2009)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Michael J. Bassett

Writers:

Michael J. Bassett (screenplay)
Robert E. Howard (character)

Release Date:

23 December 2009 (France)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Plot:

A mercenary who owes his soul to the devil redeems himself by fighting evil. |

Plot Keywords:

England | Violence | Puritan | Robert E. Howard | 1550s

Cast

James Babson	...	Skinhead
Laura Baranik	...	Prisoner
Geoff Bell	...	Beard
Matthew Blood-Smyth	...	Merton
Brian Caspe	...	Priest
John Comer	...	Erasmus Woolman
Mackenzie Crook	...	Father Michael
Christian Dunckley Clark	...	Lieutenant Malthus
Jason Flemyng	...	Malachi
Patrick Hurd-Wood	...	Samuel Crowthorn
Rachel Hurd-Wood	...	Meredith Crowthorn
Ryan James	...	Raider
Alice Krige	...	Katherine Crowthorn
Rory McCann	...	McNess
Andrea Miltner	...	Captive
Kenny Mitchell	...	Raider
Stewart Moore	...	Garrick
Beryl Nesbitt	...	Old Crone
Mark O'Neal	...	Kanes Soldier
Pete Postlethwaite	...	William Crowthorn
James Purefoy	...	Solomon Kane
Samuel Roukin	...	Marcus Kane
Robert Russell	...	Abbott
Ben Steel	...	Fletcher
Lucas Stone	...	Young Solomon
Gordon Truefitt	...	Stable Master
Marek Vasut	...	Tattoo
Max von Sydow	...	Josiah Kane
Philip Waley	...	Alfie the Drunk
Andrew Whitlaw	...	Older Monk
Ian Whyte	...	Reaper
Anthony Wilks	...	Edward Crowthorn
Philip Winchester	...	Telford

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

France | Czech Republic | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (RCA Sound Recording)

Filming Locations:

Barrandov Studios, Krizeneckeho namesti, Prague, Czech Republic

Company:

Davis-Films

Quotes:

Malachi: Why do you care for her? You came here to save your soul.
Solomon Kane: She IS my soul.

Solomon Kane is More than An Action Adventure

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

**SPOLIERS** **SPOLIERS** **SPOLIERS** **SPOLIERS**

I attended both screenings of Solomon Kane at TIFF. I thought it was outstanding, and I am familiar with the Solomon Kane stories. The cinematography is beautiful, the score is amazing, the performances are fantastic, and the overtones are subtle. James Purefoy's performance is perfect. He's engaging, mysterious, and we want to follow him on his journey. There are some very powerful, intense scenes I felt were quite moving. The film definitely has a dark and somber tone, which is exactly what I wanted from this story. Though fewer then the very positive, the negative reviews are boggling my mind. Everyone has their opinion, I suppose, including me, but I wonder if these people even watched the same movie I did?

We first meet Kane as an evil, greedy man. When he comes face to face with an agent of Satan, however, he narrowly escapes an eternity in hell and renounces his violent and sinful ways. He spends the next year praying for redemption at a monastery, but is forced by the priests to leave, as God has a different plan in store for Kane, albeit they are unsure of what that may be. His passive behavior is tested almost immediately when a gang of thieves rob and beat him viciously. He could easily slice up these thugs in the blink of an eye, but rather, he suffers through quietly and takes their abuse. Kane is found and cared for by a Puritan family, head beautifully by Alice Krige and Pete Postlethwaite, and we just know that horrible things are going to happen to them. When they do, Kane abolishes his new found, non-violent ways in order to save them and their young daughter, Meredith. On his quest to rescue her, Kane is tested over and over until a final, spectacular encounter with evil. Who will finally win the battle for Kane's soul?

I read one review that called Kane's motives selfish. Well, at first, they are. His quest for redemption is driven by his desire not to go to hell. However, that reviewer missed the point. It's when Kane risks going to hell in order to save the family he has grown to love that the true test of his character is revealed. It's the complete opposite of selfish and we're right there rooting for him. We can see he is truly a changed man, worthy of a second chance.

What most impressed me about the film was its physical beauty. The action sequences are realistic and sweeping, as is the landscape, used brilliantly by director Bassett. One shot is particularly breathtaking as Kane plummets to the ground in slow motion from the cross to which he'd been nailed. He looks like a fallen angel, which I suppose, in a way he is. This movie is far more than entertaining fluff and comic book folly. It is a fine achievement in film-making. The director, cast and crew's hard work has truly paid off. I hope everyone will get the chance to see it.