Solomon Kane (2009)
An origin film for the character Solomon Kane, a character created by Robert E Howard, who also created Conan the Barbarian, almost 100 years ago back in 1928.
Kane began as an English privateer ransacking places for money until following a betrayal by his men he renounces violence and becomes a man of God. Kane takes to the roads of south east England and befriends Pete Postlethwaite and his family. As with stuff like this a film about happy families isn't going to excite the blood thirsty hordes so it's not long before they are ambushed by the demonic followers of the sorcerer Malachi who kill the family leaving a distraught Kane vowing to seek vengeance and save the families only daughter from the demon.
I really like this, always have done. James Purefoy who plays Kane is a charismatic lead and born for the role even if you never quite believe him as a man who refuses to commit violence. Kinda laughable as when it comes the violence is hard hitting in places. At one point Kane grabs a villain by the pony tail and hacks away at his neck till his head comes off...you know that sort of thing.
Director M J Bassett (Wilderness, Death Watch) once again creates a film of gloomy grimness and despairing bleakness in a classy mini-epic of violence, witchcraft and swordplay.
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