SOLOMON KANE
UK, 2009, 104 minutes, Colour.
James Purefoy, Pete Postlethwaite, Alice Kriege, Mac Kenzie Crook, Jason Flemyng, Rachel Hurd- Wood, Patrick Hurd- Wood, Geoff Bell.
Directed by Michael J. Bassett.
In these years of comic book hero films, here is another who was the brainchild of Robert E. Howard, the creator of Conan (and who was played by Vincent D'Onofrio in the biographical film on Howard, The Whole Wide World).
The difference with Solomon Kane is that he is located within British history rather than in a fantasy era like Conan. The world is barbaric but it is the Elizabethan and Jacobean world (which, as Shakespeare's plays of this time, was a brutal and violent period).
According to this story, Kane served with Drake and became a mercenary. The film opens with him defeating Moors in Africa and then being confronted by demons and devils. He makes a pledge to redeem himself and become a man of peace. He does this in a puritan way, especially as he travels with a Puritan family on their way to leave for America (Pete Postlethwaite, Alice Krige and Rachel and Peter Hurd- Wood). Somerset and Devon are in turmoil with magicians holding nobles in thrall and bands of thugs, possessed by evil, roam the land and attack the innocent.
Solomon's dilemma is whether he should defend the family when it is attacked and their daughter abducted or break his vow of peace and risk hell. Of course, he does, only to find that he is confronting his brother and a mad and powerful sorcerer (Jason Flemyng) who has imprisoned his father (Max Von Sydow). Finally, he must fight a gigantic and fierce demon.
This one is quite good of its kind. It has a familiar but reasonable story line. It is always fascinating as it locates itself in British history. There is enough sword and sorcery for the fans. And it has a better than average British cast led by a sturdy and grim hero played by James Purefoy.
1.Adaptation of a 1930s comic book hero? A hero in need of redemption, a saviour?
2.The work of Robert Sherwood, the 30s, Conan? Sword and sorcery stories? Barbaric contexts? Yet 17th century England, the Puritans? The parallels between the mythical and the real worlds?
3.The religious background, the Reformation, Drake and Elizabeth I, James I and the prevalence of witches? Sorcery? The Puritans? Their ambitions to go to America? The war in south-west England? Christianity, paganism? The blend?
4.The English landscapes, the coast, the forests, castles, isolated, eerie?
5.The pounding score and its atmosphere?
6.Action, the opening, Africa, the Moors, Christian prejudice against the Moors, fighting? The search for treasure? The castle, the followers, their being taken by the demons? Setting the town for the film?
7.Kane as a leader, his pirate life, his leadership of the men, the confrontation with the Devil, his soul, the possibility of redemption, to be a man of peace?
8.The changed Solomon Kane, in the monastery, his being urged to leave? The flashbacks for his memories, his interactions with Marcus, his father, walking out on his family, his father disowning him, the clash with Marcus on the cliff, rescuing the girl, Marcus’s fall, Solomon’s sense of guilt?
9.The progress of the pilgrim, overtones of John Bunyan and Pilgrim’s Progress? The 17th century tones? Meeting the family, the Puritan fervour? Travelling across the land, the intention of going to America? God-fearing? William a good man, offering Solomon the lift, saving his life after the attack, his wife’s kindness, Meredith and her concern, attraction? Samuel and his wanting to emulate Solomon, the talk, the play swordfighting? The bonds between the group? The possibility for redemption?
10.The attack of the Brutes, accosting Solomon, his not wanting to fight – and the later encounter with them after they had killed the priest, Solomon killing them?
11.Malachi and his not being seen, the masked man? Control, magic, the masked man and his ability to turn his followers into his slaves, the visuals of their changing faces and heads? The witch, the story of the little girl, marking the hand of Meredith? The plan to lure Solomon back to the castle?
12.The attack on the family, the fight, Sam and his urging Solomon to attack? William and his death, Solomon’s promise that he would search for Meredith? Meredith and her being captured, Sam’s death?
13.Solomon lost, in the inn, drinking, thinking Meredith was dead, that he had failed? That he was not a man of peace? Telford and the rebels? Wanting Solomon to lead them? His refusal? The rounding up of the rebels, their being crucified, Solomon and the bolts in his hands, lifted up crucified? The crucifixion imagery – and its recurring, especially in the chapels as Solomon sees Christ crucified? His seeing that Meredith was still alive, getting free, searching for her?
14.The priest, the ruins of the church, talking with Solomon, explaining Malachi and what had happened, his congregation, the Living Dead in the cellar, pushing Solomon in? Solomon fighting them? The Brutes and their killing of the priest?
15.The rebel group, Solomon’s leadership, getting inside the castle? The fights?
16.Solomon finding his father imprisoned, his father telling the story, Marcus alive, Marcus as the masked man? His father wanting to die – already dead? Holding the gun and Solomon pulling the trigger?
17.The vast room, Malachi and his appearance, the confrontation with Solomon, Meredith in the cage, trying to set her free, the trap? His brother, Solomon unmasking him? The clash, the fight, the brother destroyed by fire? The death of Malachi?
18.The final confrontation, the monstrous devil creature? Solomon committing himself, prepared to lose his life, freeing Meredith?
19.A comic book hero – and the blend of history and myth?
