About Michael J. Bassett
I’m a screenwriter and director based in the UK. In my distant past I ran a wildlife hospital, flew falcons, was a wildlife photographer, made natural history documentaries, aspired to be a vet and ended up on TV hosting nature shows before deciding to chuck it all in and try to make movies. It was a loooong and difficult road but slowly I’m getting there.
The team from ITV's Saturday morning show 'Get Fresh' in the late 80s.
My first feature film was the atmospheric and creepy horror movie, DEATHWATCH set in the trenches of World War One. It was released theatrically and on DVD throughout the world to some critical and commercial success. (though more in some places than others it has to be said.) It did pretty good business in the UK – Number 4 at the cinema and Number 1 DVD. 
My last film WILDERNESS was a little less successful but enjoyed by those who like their horror brutal and realistic. It is a very violent and bloody survival shocker about a group of young offenders who are sent to an island for a week of character building exercises. I’m sure you can guess the rest…. It’s available on DVD worldwide, after a short theatrical run in
summer 2006.
I spent 2008 making the dark fantasy adventure SOLOMON KANE which I have written, based on the classic Robert E. Howard character. Just wrapping up post production in Dec 08 but no release dates have been set.
I’ve never kept a blog before but will try and keep it relatively interesting – at least for me. I don’t promise what you read here will be stimulating, coherent or even entirely true but thanks for reading anyway. M
Mr. Bassett: I have found it intriguing that you admit to being a very knowledgeable fantasy fan yourself. I remember how John Milius seemed almost embarrassed to film the fantasy elements in CTB. I have been following your progress on the Kane film since seeing your original Kane video on YouTube. I have been blogging for several months on the REH forum. My handle over there is Crossplain Pilgrim. My original reason for signing in at the forum was to get more info on your film. (By the way, they are a very decent, civil bunch of guys over there with a deep knowledge and admiration for REH. You ought to drop in again one of these days.) I have been reading REH for four decades and Kane is my favorite of his characters. In the course of following the Kane film, I purchased both your films. I especially liked “Deathwatch”, being a history teacher with an interest in WWI. You did an amazing job with what was obviously a limited budget. Good film. I am especially proud of the fact that I think I really get the ending of “Deathwatch.” It does all come together and make sense. Wonderful atmosphere and direction. Your use of atmosphere gives me very high hopes for “Solomon Kane”. Kane is such an unusual hero by today’s standards. A hero without cynical, self-interest. A dark, unstoppable sword of vengeance.
I was reading on the REH forum Wandering Star’s (I am sure you know him by another name) similar frustration with finishing the sound editing. Perhaps, when the time is right, you could share some of your memories of helming Kane. I sincerely hope you have a huge, career-making hit and come back for the sequels.
Many thanks Steve.
My experience with the Kane fans in the REH forum has been pretty universally pleasurable when I did post there before setting out on production. But I know I’m going to get questions that I simply can’t answer or that frustrate me until the film is finished and released. So until then I’m going to restrict myself to this more personal blog.
I’m sure that when this is all done and dusted I’ll be happy to talk more about KANE and how this came together and also discuss some of the choices I’ve made (or had made for me) on this film.
Hey Mike…
To cut a long story short I was searching to see if FINALLY someone had had the good taste to release Fandango on dvd and I noticed a sympathetic blog with a familiar name…yada yada…Saw the notices for Solomon Kane, so good luck with that, I’m interested to see how it turns out.Merry Christmas and all the best for 09.
Billy Hodges.
P.S. RAMMSTEIN are the new metal gods, not just for Germany but the planet.Well, perhaps Gojira..?
FANDANGO – remember it fondly. Fabulous little movie and still not around on DVD. Damn shame. I had a short email correspondance with the director, Kevin Reynolds, last year and I told him in a sad, fan-boy way that I adored his little gem of a picture. He seemed kinda non-plussed by my enthusiasm for it. But I’ll always remember that it was the image of Kevin Constner with his bottle of ‘Dom’ raised in salute to his friends against a fabulous darkening sky that was my first screen-grab that I had a desktop for my PC back in ninety eighty-whatever. A great ode to fading youth.
Hi Michael. I love to see directors have a blog! Its so frustrating not knowing whats going on with projects you want to follow, so I’ll thank you for this!
Love the first 2 films, so I imagine I love the first all the same!
Good luck with everything.
Matt
Hey Matt, Glad you liked the first two. I hope KANE keeps up the winning streak. A very different movie to be sure though the same vibe is there (I think anyone who cares to look will begin to see some unifying visuals and themes in my work.) but I think the craftsmanship has increased significantly.
Hi Michael,
Happy new year. God to see that the pages are back up. At least we can see whats going on. Looking forward to see Solomon Kane.
Well from seeing when it was shot here in CZ there must be a huge amount of work on it now on all the effect and other things.
Hope all is going good and the results will be rewarding.
Best Regards
Jiri Lucius
Hi Michael!
First of all, thank you for making a movie about one of my favorite heroes from literature. The things you have said about it fill me with confidence. I believe you’re going to deliver a great fantasy film aimed to adults.
There’s one thing I’d like to know about….the action.
Solomon Kane is supposed to be a superb swordsman, and I’m pretty sure we’ll see this in the film.
My only worries is the action editing. To be honest, I am not a big fan of the ADD-style of action editing that a lot of action movies lately have had. I feel that when the takes are short and the cuts too frequent, it ruins the flow of the action and the work of the whomever is choreographing the action.
How are you handling this aspect of the film?
Thank you very much in advance.
Blas V.
PS: Trailer, please!
Being a big fan of REHs stories, I’ve been following the progress of the Solomon Kane film since you posted on the REH forum oh so long ago. I of coursed picked up your previous films, and was quite impressed…I can see the gritty violence and atmosphere are already there. It’s great you have a blog up and running again.
This might be a premature question, but I understand Solomon Kane is meant to be the first of a trilogy of films…if this first one is success, will the next film be based on the short story “Red Shadows”? I always believed that story would be quite easy to adapt, as it leaves a lot out of the text and allows for quite a bit of flexibility (what happens between Kane’s destruction of Le Loupe’s gang and his arrival on the shores of Africa? How did Le Loup become the head honcho of an African tribe? etc, etc.).
I had actually hoped this film would be based on the above story, but on reflection, I could see the need for an origin story. But seeing as future films are meant to dive deeper into the actual material, I’d like to hear your opinion on the matter.
All the best,
Taran
I cannot wait to see Solomon Kane. I am a huge fan of Mr. Purefoy and am very much intrigued by the story itself. I actually like “dark” movies, so your comments about it have heightened my interest even more. Good vs. evil usually makes for a compelling plot and, with lots of action thrown in and a very talented lead actor, I don’t see how this can miss. I always loved the old Errol Flynn swashbuckling roles, so I am very much interested in the swordplay scenes in Kane. Purefoy is a very physical actor, so I imagine he comes off quite well in the action scenes, of which I hope there are many.
Please keep us posted on any new projects that you are working on.
Dear Mr Bassett,
My name is Marie-claude.
I’m 35 years old and a recent fan from James purefoy.
I would just ask if you have the option to send a letter in which I simply asked him an autograph on a photo?
Do you think I could possibly go through “Davis film” for this request?
I do not know who to go to pass my request!
Can you help me?
With all my heart, Thank you very much
Kind regards !!
Marie-claude (from France)
I was just talking to James this evening actually – lovely fella. And I know that he really does sign photos and personally write notes to the fans. He sets time aside every month or so and gets into it – he says he does it because he Mum told him he should always remain a nice man
So if you do send him a request I’m sure you’ll get a reply. Tell him I said you would. As for where; I don’t know how these things work really. Send it to his agent in the UK – James Purefoy, c/o Independant Talent. Oxford House, Oxford St, London. I guess that would find him. Good luck.
Michael is right. James does personally reply to fans who write him. I was the happy recipient of a letter from him about a year ago. From what I understand, he types them himself and personally signs each one. His letter to me responded directly to comments I had made in my letter to him concerning his role as Marc Antony. As you can imagine, he gets LOTS of fan mail, so it will take him some time to get back to each and every one. I think it was about a year before I got his reply, but the wait was well worth it. I, too, wrote to him in care of his agents in London. He even sent me a signed photo of himself as Antony, though I hadn’t specifically asked for a photo. He is a class act all the way, which is why he has legions of devoted fans.
Dear Mr Bassett,
First of all a HUGE THANKS for your nice answer !!!!!
))
I’m absolutely delighted with your rapidity, your sympathy and your help!
I did not expect a so beautifull answer.
THANK YOU SO MUCH ! I will send my letter to the adress you’ve given and I will precise at him that you’re my advisor…
MERCI
And I’m very much looking forward to seeing SOLOMON KANE
still eagearly awaiting the release date for kane
All the best of luck for your projects…
PS: Can I get an autograph from you too?
I am convinced that your reputation will grow and the fact that you answered me just proves you are an exceptional person.
kind regards
Hmm, I own Fandango on DVD, Michael. It was released here in the U.S. a few years ago, but don’t know if it’s still in print or not.
Yeah, I know about the US DVD but I’d love it in hi-def. Failing that I’m sure I can get from ebay.
I actually had a short email correspondance with the director, Kevin Reynolds, about a production designer I was thinking of using. I told him what a huge fan of Fandango I was – he seemed a little surprised. To me, it’s just one of those films that nails the fleeting moment when youth slips away into adulthood. A minor classic.
Mr. Bassett,
Like yourself, I am a former pupil of Adams’ Grammar School, and am now doing a degree in Film Studies. After reading up on your project Soloman Kane, and the rest of your enthralling career, it is very inspiring to know that someone from our little town has made it in the movie business. It gives me a lot of impetus, and I wish you all the best in the future.
If you have any advice for an aspiring filmaker and writer, I would be delighted to take everything you say on board.
Just read the review of Solomon Kane on AICN – I hope you get a UK distribution very soon as I can’t wait to see it for myself.
UK Distribution is already in place. No idea when they’re going to release it though.
Hi Michael,
congratulations on all of your success. You and Neil Marshall are the two guys really keeping european genre cinema alive. I thought WILDERNESS was the best slasher film ever made, by the way.
Your work is inspirational for a director like myself, who is just starting out and wants to make horror and genre films. Ferenc Wostry, Hungary.
Hi Ferenc
Thanks for the kind note and I hope that you enjoy success and fulfilment in your career as a film maker.
M
Hi Michael,
I write a weekly column for the Guardian film website on comic book, fantasy and sci-fi movies. Would love to check out Solomon Kane after reading Harry Knowles’ review. Might be able to give it a boost over here. Please contact me at ben.child@guardian.co.uk.
Cheers,
Ben
Hi Ben,
Tried emailing you directly but it’s getting hurled back at me each time. Got an alternate email?
M
that’s very strange. try ben_child@btopenworld.com. If you could include a couple of sentences about the film I’ll include them in my new column (which I’m filing right now).
am getting your emails to guardian address fine
Hi Michael,
if you have time while you’re in L.A. I would love to interview you about the Solomon Kane movie. I write for Pirates Magazine, I’m a lifelong R.E. Howard fan and know the character well so I’m very excited about the movie. Cheers.
-Bullet
Would love to but I just don’t have time on this trip – should be back in a few weeks though.
Cool. I’ll stay tuned to your blog and hope to see you next time you’re in town. Have a good trip home. Godspeed.
-B
bullet@revengefromthesea.com
Michael, how old are you?
Certainly old enough to know better but young enough not to care.
It is interesting that there is no information about your date of birth on wikipedia or imdb. Are you trying to create a mystery?
Of course, it is not important, but I am obsessed with filmmaking and consequently I have the ridiculous habit of looking up how old famous directors were when they actually made it.
Greetings from Cologne, Germany.
Hello Michael
Just wanted to tell you that I’m looking forward to watching Solomon Kane. But could you mr. Bassett please tell us, whether Mr. Samuel Hadida is still involved with Onimusha and I have read that it’s already finished shooting… Is that True???
Take Care
Onimusha is still in development with Samuel Hadida. I know that location scouting and some early pre-viz effects work has been done but there’s no locked down budget or start date for it.
Hello Michael
thank you very much for replying to my question.
There are three directos from Comic Con , that I think will end up becoming young top notch directors and you sir are one of them :
1. Michael J. Bassett
2. Neill Blomkamp
3. Joseph Kosinksi
That is a sweet list to be included on Mirza. I have to say, everything I’ve seen of District 9 looks completely brilliant and I think Neill Blomkamp is going to be making some really special films in the years to come.
Dear Michael!
Regarding your comment on the Slaine-comic somewhere down your blog: by all means BUY it – you won’t regret! “Slaine – The Horned God” by Mills & Bisley ist the single most brilliant piece of comic art I’ve ever seen.
I can’t wait to see Solomon Kane – hope it get’s released here in Austria, too.. (if not, we’ll always have BluRay
You’re right about The Horned God. It totally blew me away when I first read it. The marriage of Bisley’s artwork and Mills’ narrative was virtual perfection. I think it’s still the best comic art I have ever seen. I was talking to the owner of 2000AD a few weeks ago and discussing which stories and characters to bring to the screen. Slaine did come up but I know someone else is trying to set that up and anyway, I have my sights on something else which I just loved as a kid. It’s not as dark or intense but lots of fun but ridiculously expensive to make. I’m trying to secure the rights now and will let you know if it works out.
M
Dear Michael!
That’s good news! It would be great to see more 2000AD property on screen! “ridiculously expensive” sound’s like sci-fi
Btw. I for my part liked the Stallone Dredd pic – it also has Max von Sydow in it, who had been cast in a Howard movie before..
I’d love to do an e-mail interview with you about the Solomon Kane film for an article I write for a local website concerning all things medieval (http://www.huscarl.at/). Your knowledgeable and smart posts here led me to make a list of serious but down to earth questions I’d love to discuss with you.
You’re a busy man, I know, but our readers are grim swordfighters who’re still little boys at heart and I’m sure,
Solomon Kane is the right movie for them.
Thanks for the insight you gave us on the 2000AD matters!!
Best regards
Hi Michael,
did you know that 2 of your films are recommended by the WJEC film board for study under the heading of the Horror Genre(Contemporary) – Deathwatch and Wilderness? We have usually studied Sixties cinema as our chosen topic but are thinking of switching. Might you be available sometime for a visit and a chat with us and the students about the business of getting British horror films made? Please get in touch when you have time – we’d love to catch up with you. p.s. Matt’s a dad now, and I’m a grandad!
Shrewsbury Sixth Form College.
Hello Michael
Isaw the film “WILDERNESS”. He really standing, but something he came short. But idea interesting.About SOLOMON KANE – I did’t hear, but if skim on comics or book then beside movie will be its admirer.So I think he has personally interested.
And my question: what will be following your project. In what genre will work. If began filming, that see on Fredric Brown.