Much has been written about Solomon Kane the movie. Articles for, articles against, good reviews, fair reviews and bad reviews.

Last Thursday I had the chance to see for myself when it screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. Like many, all I had to go on was the trailer and advance word from the San Diego Comic Con, as well as comments from those eager to see the film, those dead set against it, and those seated firmly on the fence.

Solomon Kane is the best Sword and Sorcery film I have yet seen, and kudos must go to Director Michael J. Bassett (Deathwatch, Wilderness) for crafting a film both dark and solemn. Regardless of the fact it ignores source material from Robert E. Howard, this is first and foremost a gritty, bleak and grim movie that boasts excellent production values, competent acting and a rousing music score. What we finally have is a serious treatment of the genre with no bumbling sidekick, scenes played for laughs or actors going through the motions. This is the real deal, and hopefully a standard that subsequent sword and sorcery films could (and should) follow.

James Purefoy is solid as Kane, darkly menacing, somber, humourless, and thoroughly comfortable in the role. Granted, he is not the Kane we expect because of the nature of the script, but the groundwork is laid for Purefoy to develop the character if a sequel happens. I had a chance to chat with him after the movie, and he understands what we Robert E. Howard fans expect, so I for one hope he has the opportunity to deliver. He is ably supported by such stalwarts as Max von Sydow and one of my favourite character actors, Pete Postlethwaite.

The action is well executed and quite intense, in parts quite gory, especially for a PG-13 rated film (the PG-13 rating is not firm yet). The cinematography is suitably bleak, with a heavy palette of grays, subdued tones and lots of rain. Add to it some great locations, effectively eerie creatures, CG effects that never threaten to overpower, and you have a suitably sinister film with loads of atmosphere. In short, the production values are first-rate.

Much has been said of the script itself, and Producer Paul Berrow has made no secret why the film had to be an origin story to get made. Director Michael J. Bassett chose this passage from The Blue Flame of Vengeance as the basis for his script: "Aye. I led a rout of ungodly men, to my shame be it said, though the cause was a just one. In the sack of that town you name, many foul deeds were done under the cloak of the cause and my heart was sickened--oh, well--many a tide has flowed under the bridge since then, and I have drowned some red memories into the sea--".