Solomon Kane (film)

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Movie
Original title Solomon Kane
Country of production France ,
Czech Republic ,
United Kingdom
original language English ,
Arabic
Publishing year 2009
length 104 minutes
Age rating FSK 16
Rod
Director Michael J. Bassett
script Michael J. Bassett
production Paul Berrow ,
Samuel Hadida
music Klaus Badelt
camera Dan Laustsen
cut Andrew MacRitchie
occupation

Solomon Kane is a film adaptation based on motifs by Robert E. Howard . The film takes place in a fantasy world inspired by the early modern times , which is based on gloomy scenery and black magic. Directed by Michael J. Bassett, the lead role of Solomon Kane was played by James Purefoy .

action

Solomon fights as a mercenary under Queen Elizabeth I. During the conquest of an Arab fortress in North Africa, he meets the devil's angel of death, who tells him that his soul belongs to him by means of a pact. At the last second, he can escape death by leaping through the window. A year later, Solomon Kane finds himself in a monastery, he has renounced violence and lives there peacefully, hoping to save his soul from the devil. This life is short-lived as the abbot of the Solomon Monastery sends west. He asked God for advice and he revealed that Kane should return to his family's country estate. With a heavy heart he sets off through a country that is plagued by bands of robbers. After being robbed and suppressed by one of these band of robbers, he is accepted by the Puritan family Crowthorn, who are on their way to America.

Unfortunately, the family has no luck, because a short time later they are attacked by supporters of the warlock Malachai and all but the young Meredith and her mother Katherine are killed. Shortly before his death, Solomon Kane's father demands that he save Meredith and so also his soul. Then Kane makes his way west towards home.

After several days of travel, he is able to find some of the kidnappers and, to his chagrin, learns that Meredith is supposed to be dead. This news drives Kane into total despair and in a small village he gives himself up to alcohol, he doesn't care about anything. Even when the village is attacked, he does not defend himself and is nailed to the cross on the orders of the leader of the gang, a man with a mask made of skin. At the last moment he regains his courage when he hears Meredith's voice and tears himself away from the cross. A few daring men save him and nurse him back to health.

From these he also learns that the seat of the warlock is his father's castle and that there has long been no lord there. With his goal in mind, he and the men set out to free the land from Malachai and save Meredith. When he arrives at the castle, he has to recognize the cruel truth: the man under the mask is his brother, whom he thought was dead after an argument because he accidentally threw him down a cliff. He did not die in this fall, but no healer or priest could help him. So he learns from his father, who is vegetating in a cell in the castle, that he has called the sorcerer to save his son and thus also made the pact with the devil with whom he sold Solomon's soul. To atone for his sins, he begs Solomon to kill him, which Solomon does with a heavy heart.

The final battle ensues in the castle's throne room, where Solomon first has to kill his brother. When he then tries to attack the warlock himself, it becomes clear why he had the girl kidnapped. With the help of Meredith's blood he summons a huge demon to finally hand over Solomon's soul to the devil. At the last minute he can kill Malachai and thus save the girl and her soul.

Standing at his family's grave, he swears to rebel against evil because no one else will.

criticism

The industry journal Variety gave the film a negative rating with the statement: Bassett's direction lacks the instinct, while actor Purefoy playfully mastered the acting efforts. The script gives his main character power and a mission, but little personality, which is not Purefoy's fault. The Guardian gave the film 3 out of 5 stars: “There are many things that do the film good: The serious tone, the steady pace, the muddy and bloody scenery and a convincing rendering of Purefoy in its own West Country dialect. However, the film does not quite live up to its original and offers some surprises. "

background

The film cost $ 45 million and premiered at the 2009 Toronto Film Festival. Globally, the film took in only about 19 million US dollars by December 2010. The film was shown for the first time in Germany on August 17, 2010 as part of the Fantasy Film Festival .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Certificate of Release to Solomon Kane . Voluntary self-regulation of the film industry , July 2010 (PDF; test number: 123 519 V).
  2. ↑ Dennis Harvey: Solomon Kane . In: Variety . October 9, 2009. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
  3. ↑ Phelim O'Neill: Solomon Kane . In: The Guardian . February 18, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2010.