British director Michael J. Bassett brings to the screen Solomon Kane, the graphic novel penned by Robert E. Howard (who also created Conan the Barbarian) with all due seriousness and gravity, as apparently befits the character. I have not read the books, so this was my first exposure. And while certainly not a perfect film, it has a great story, great action and a great leading man (James Purefoy, best known as Marc Antony on HBO’s Rome).
The screenplay is an interpretation of the origins of Solomon Kane, apparently culled from the various novels. Kane was quite the badass, far worse than the devil himself. Or so he thinks – an encounter with an agent of said devil leaves Kane scrambling to try and redeem his soul. But sometimes peace requires a sword, and when an innocent family is attacked, Kane takes up said sword to rid the land of evil sorcerers.
