A suitably grim atmosphere, an invested lead and a lack of a knowing wink are what Solomon Kane has going for it. That may scare people away from this sword-and-sorcery flick, as some may have the idea that this stuff shouldn’t be taken too seriously. However, in a world with Game of Thrones, one would hope an audience is out there. Written and directed by Michael J. Bassett, Kane was originally released overseas in 2009 but was held back from U.S. distribution. Now, The Weinstein Company’s multi-platform offshoot Radius-TWC has finally stepped up to the plate. In the interim, star James Purefoy still hasn’t become a household name, though it’s no fault of his talent.
Solomon Kane was originally created by Robert E. Howard, most famous for Conan, and while that character has had two origin story films, Kane never had that luxury. Instead, Bassett has pieced together most of Kane’s origin mythos, and the unfortunate part is that his beginning simply isn’t as intriguing as one would hope. Kane was an English mercenary battling the Ottoman empire during the 1600’s. His life was built around cruel deeds and the slaughtering of his enemies, but that all changed when he stumbled upon an ancient evil intent on claiming his soul for the Devil. Kane fights back, and ends up escaping. With the knowledge that a righteous path can keep the Reaper from dragging him to hell, he takes on a life on non-violence. While this isn’t the most compelling reason to fall for our hero, Kane’s commitment is endearing nonetheless.
Only a few years removed from his run-in with the Devil’s Reaper, Kane is ousted from a church he has sought refuge in and comes upon a Puritan family headed for the New World. Along the way, a group of demonic marauders attacks them and steals the lone daughter of the clan. Thus, Kane is forced to go on a violent chase, renouncing his vow of non-violence and sealing the fate of his soul. Along the way he has to do battle with demons, a witch and many other classic sorcery villains with swashbuckling flair.
Like a man possessed, he battles and charges to various ends of the Earth in search of Meredith (Rachel Hurd-Wood). The fault here is that so much of his journey is spent by himself or merely talking at people we don’t get a sense of the character within him. Of course, Kane should be a mystery, but he should also have some personality.
There is a certain beauty to the destroyed and decaying landscape captured by the sweeping cinematography throughout. This lends itself to the straightforward fantasy elements, but the finale has a glaring extravagance in the form of a towering CGI demon that feels completely out of place. Purefoy is no less committed as the film barrels forward and we can imagine him easily being put into a surly, focused mood by the pouring rain and muddied surroundings. This is a film without much flare, and if you can get behind the serious tone, you will find a fantasy flick pulled together with limited charm and humor, but heaping amounts of action and grimness. With a steady pace, straightforward narrative, and an actor that elevates a limited role, Solomon Kane never reaches for the stars and therefore rarely misses its mark.
Solomon Kane hits limited release today and is on VOD.