Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter

Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter poster

Was it the sin of vanity that called it upon the two laughing girls in the forest, one going to find flowers to braid in the hair of the other only to return to find her suddenly aged, a haggard crone, a line of blood on her decrepit lips after being accosted by a black hooded figure, the struggle having claimed her youth, the tragedy found by the level-headed Doctor Marcus who is unable to diagnose any conventional malady.

Sending for a friend from the war formerly of the Imperial Guard, Captain Kronos arrives in the company of Professor Hieronymus Grost, expert in the lore of vampires, and a woman named Carla whom they have recently rescued from the stocks, sentenced for the crime of “dancing on a Sunday,” but already there has been another attack and the four begin their investigation to ascertain the strange nature of what they are facing.

Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter; Captain Kronos (Horst Janson) arrives to help when summoned by an old friend.

Hammer a prolific studio which once produced a variety of comedies, mysteries, dramas and thrillers, it was through the fifties and sixties their name became synonymous with horror and science fiction, The Quatermass Xperiment, The Curse of Frankenstein, and of course Dracula, successful not only domestically but internationally, though by the seventies the brand was struggling in the face of more aggressive and bloody competition in an era where what was once implied was now shown with impunity.

Released in 1974, Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter should have been the film which opened the door to a resurgence of the studio but it was not to be, unconventional and intelligently written by Brian Clemens who also directed, his only production to bear that credit though he was a producer and writer whose extensive credits include the reshaping of The Avengers into the fantastical iconic spy-fi show it became and later creating The New Avengers and The Professionals.

Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter; the first victim, mesmerised by the strange figure in the forest.

The studio’s reputation built on its leading ladies as much as the fates that await them, Caroline Munro is Carla, and Kronos himself is played by German actor Horst Janson, atypical for a Hammer star in that he is as striking and desirable as his leading lady though he is in fact dubbed by Julian Holloway, with John Cater as Professor Grost, John Carson as Doctor Marcus and supporting roles for Ian Hendry as the mercenary Kerro and Wanda Ventham as the reclusive Lady Durward.

A widow fiercely protected by her children Paul and Sara, in her pageboy haircut and riding britches Lois Daine is also atypical, and while Grost’s wooden stakes are ornately carved they are no defence against a vampire who drains not blood but life, and while a costumed period piece in deference to the changing times in which it was made Captain Kronos is more violent and overtly suggestive than was customary for Hammer.

Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter; Paul and Sara Durward (Shane Briant and Lois Daine) have no interest in receiving guests.

Kronos honourable, Grost wise and Carla kind, there is much affection and humour between the characters though the subject of the hunt, guided by unusual lore, is taken entirely seriously, and though filmed in the same accessible Home Counties locations as the studio frequently used the film looks different, bright and colourful, more dangerous even, shot with the hyper-realism of the later seasons of The Avengers when it took its greatest creative risks.

A neglected jewel in the crown of Hammer now finally receiving a respect and recognition it always warranted, for its fiftieth anniversary Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter has been restored across five discs including three versions of the film, UK theatrical, US theatrical and “as filmed,” a new documentary on the life and work of Brian Clemens, introductions and commentaries and previously unreleased interviews with Clemens and Horst Janson as well as numerous collectibles including reprints of the Kronos comic strips.

Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter will receive limited theatrical release and then be available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray from Hammer from Monday 27th January

Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter; there will be death at the graveside.

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