I like Robert E. Howard’s quirky Puritan adventurer, Solomon Kane. For some unknown reason, Howard sent Solomon Kane to Africa in story after story (some of the best in the series). I was curious about the movie version of Solomon Kane which did not make it to a theater around here. When I found a copy of Solomon Kane in Wal-Mart for $5.00 I immediately bought it. I watched the movie and can report the movie Solomon Kane has little to do with the Robert E. Howard stories. Other than the title Solomon Kane and Kane’s Pilgrim hat, this predictable adventure is devoid of anything in the Solomon Kane saga and holds few surprises for the viewer. I did like the performance of James Purefoy who plays Solomon Kane (and takes a lot of punishment). There are some nice supernatural elements which I wanted to see more of. If there’s a sequel, I’d watch it. But I wish the script for Solomon Kane followed one of Howard’s stories. GRADE: C+
Why does it not surprise me that it had little to do with Howard’s creation? Burned too many times. I haven’t seen this one, figuring it would be as you described, and probably won’t ever bother. I’m still burned from the things that I feel they didn’t get right from the newest Conan film. I haven’t read Howard’s Kane stories, so if I need a dose that is where I’ll turn.
Carl, the Solomon Kane stories are very uneven. But a few of them are among the best stories Robert E. Howard ever wrote!
Shame that it isn’t really interested in the Hoard material – so often the case, isn’t it? Not always a bad thing of course (I’ve seen plenty of films which i preferred to the source material)
Sergio, the cast was good, the production values were good, but the weak script sunk SOLOMON KANE.
The fairly recent Conan movie wasn’t exactly faithful to Howard, either. Filmmakers don’t seem to trust the original material. Big mistake.
Bill, Hollywood seems to have trouble dealing with real storytelling like Robert E. Howard’s SOLOMON KANE. This version is a pale imitation of the Real Thing.
Never even realized they had done this one. It doesn’t look like I missed much.
Jeff, all the elements are there in SOLOMON KANE for an exciting movie…except for the lame script.
I watched the trailers at the time and decided against seeing it because it was obvious they bought the name and made a different movie. That happens so damn often, and then if they get low box office, which this did, so don’t hope for that sequel, they moan and groan.
There was a pretty good graphic novel version of some of the stories seems to me it was 6 or 7 years ago but maybe longer. You should find that.
hard to understand why they buy a book and then screw it all up. Over and over again.
They don’t respect books, nor scripts. They think that The Director’s Vision is All There Is. It’s bullshit, but it’s rampant. You might luck into a watchable movie with a weak script, with bravura acting, etc. But don’t bet on it. But it’s a lesson it’s in the interest of masturbatory directors that Hollywood doesn’t learn. And studio heads are much more like directors than they are like writers.
Happily, indy filmmaking can be, even if it doesn’t have to be, more cooperative. Much in the way the writer/producer is usually dominant on television.
Patti, I’m with Todd. It seems perplexing that Hollywood would buy the rights to great novels and short stories, but then completely ignore them!
George –
I reviewed this one a few weeks back and my thoughts were along the same lines. As a sword and sorcery film, it is OK. As a Robert E. Howard or Solomon Kane film, it is sadly lacking. There were some very good elements, but far too many times when I turned to Sandi and said, “Watch! This is what will happen next.” Not from knowing the source material but from knowing bad film making and weak scripts.
Scott, I had the same reaction to SOLOMON KANE. Very predictable! The Robert E. Howard stories are uneven, but some of the best are dazzling!
The reason Howard keeps sending Kane to Africa is to put Kane, a devout Puritan, into a savage, barabaric, and non-Christian place (or so Africa was seen to be).
Raito, thanks for clearing that up! I think the strongest Solomon Kane stories are the ones set in Africa.