Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Edohotep
Writer/director Michael J. Bassett has crafted a film that pays great respect to the source material. Not only does it embody an aspect of Robert E. Howard’s vision onto screen, it also plays with the bleakness of one man’s soul. Kane can be described as a tragic figure.
His only goal is to vanquish evil in whatever form it may manifest. In a dark fantasy world, it can lurk anywhere, just waiting to turn a lost soul into a possessed one. In what Kane finds, he will either have to exorcise it away, or simply point the barrel of his flintlock at his victim’s head and say, “Amen.”
With the film, Kane is trying to find redemption. As a warrior who discovers faith within Puritanism, it helps defines his moral goals. Also, this movie shows the conflict he has with himself as he struggles with family matters.
“The movie combines everything I love about this film genre with the emotions that move me most,” says Bassett.
For the actor, James Purefoy ("Rome"), he reveals that to play Kane, he has to be the antihero. This character has to kill, whether he likes it or not, and that led to some terrific on-screen moments where he never had to second-guess himself. He had to look deep into his soul at times, but in a fight, there is no time to hesitate.
“During those moments, Kane was really frightening!” noted Bassett, when watching this actor perform.
This director recalls one fight where Purefoy received a head injury. The cut was deep, blood was all over, and he almost fainted.
“I thought the film was going to be stopped because the lead role was going off to hospital! But after cleaning the wound and half a dozen stitches later, James was back on set, sword in hand! This anecdote pretty well sums up the way he works.”
This movie limited the amount of CGI effects, and opted for real stunts and flaming swordplay. Even Purefoy spent months training to develop the physique and a look that would be appropriate to how many people would perceive Solomon Kane to look like.
With a lot of time spent getting the details right, viewers in North America will finally get a chance to see what all the fuss is about. The world of Solomon Kane is a grim one that is rarely properly depicted. And with this film finally opening in North America to show this hero how the pulps should be done, maybe more properly realized pulp heroes will be coming. Doctor Spektor anyone?
This film has been reviewed on 28DLA by Ed Sum:
Solomon Kane Review on 28DLA
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Posted in: 2012,action,action adventure,fantasy,north america,release date,solomon kane,thriller
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