i just watched this movie and was thoroughly entertained throughout.
the direction was first rate as was most of the acting.
the story was also well done.
i liked the earthy portrayal of solomon, with the localised accent etc.
i watched a movie called season of the witch last night which was utterly appalling. this movie has thankfully restored my faith.
good film!
The cinematography is also beautiful, and the special effects, fights, sound, score, costumes, and historic elements were all excellent.
Not having read the source stories, I don't know whether this is Carter's writing or something brought through the film: It was refreshing to see Puritans portrayed as a brave and fun family, looking forward to their journey to the New World. Our Thanksgiving image of the Puritans is so watered-down and crushingly pious, one wonders how they would ever have had the fortitude to endure the persecution, long planning, difficult sea passage, and winter starvation in Plymouth colony. Solomon Kane's character (supernatural aspects aside) also suggests similarity to the real Miles Standish, not a Puritan, but a military man who accompanied the Puritans on the Mayflower to provide his "special set of skills" they otherwise lacked. The realism of the era is not overstated in the background when we see plague victims, witch burnings, people hanged for their religious views, and terrified villagers. It's easy to understand the motivation for people to pack up and leave all this behind, even without demonic minions at every turn. Another unusual and welcome touch in this story is that there isn't a viable trustworthy Christian clergyman of any sort involved in the fight against Satan, just "good men, and true."
~If you go through enough doors, sooner or later you're gonna find a dog on the other side.~
I presume you mean Howard's writing: in any case, well, none of the things you mention can be found in the source material. All that the film really takes from the stories is:
His name is Solomon Kane
He was born in Devonshire
He lived in Elizabethan times
He was a great swordsman who wore black
He sailed with Francis Drake, and it didn't end well
Everything else was made up for the film.
Also from the stories: He was very much a puritan.
Though Bassett made up an origins story for this film, I think it was a fantastic effort, and would love to see more.
"What do you mean, it's crap? There's eight bodies at the end and he gets to shag his mum!"