User reviews

Wow, was Hammer Studios going in a different direction with this film! While it is once again a horror film (the bread & butter for this film company), it's so unlike all their other films! While it's a vampire film, you see no trace of Christopher Lee or even Peter Cushing--and the style is so totally unlike their films. Instead, the film stars a very hot guy (Captain Kronos) and he always seems to have a hot lady in tow. This vampire hunter, however, is NOT to be confused for Dr. Van Helsing. Not only does he look nothing like Cushing, but how he kills the vampires and the types of vampires are all-new! These vampires are not so much blood drinkers but creatures that suck the youth out of people--and you then see them age rapidly when they fall prey to these new vampires. And, since the vampires are different, so is killing them. Many different ways are used--some of which are wacky and new--such as impaling, hanging and burning one (wow--he was tough to kill!!). And, finally, the story is just so very different.

According to IMDb, Hammer was planning on a new series of Kronos films but canceled it due to the poor reception this film received. I can't really understand it, as the film was quite good and sexy--and an invigorating change--with a wild ending!

Was Horst Janson really forty years old when he made this? Damn, the man looked good!

Horst plays Captain Kronos, a man who wears a snappy uniform and hunts youth-draining vampires in the company of an affable hunchback. He also wears a bag on his head as part of some bizarre meditative ritual. Aside from the bag-wearing part, he's a solid action hero, and it's a shame that Hammer never turned this good little movie into one of its long-running franchises.

The acting is a highlight: John "don't call me Johnny" Carson gives one of his typically likable and neurotic performances as Doctor Marcus, Wanda Ventham makes a lovely villainess, and Ian Hendry has an amusing cameo as an obnoxious thug (how the mighty had fallen, though -wasn't he a star at one point?). There's also great lines aplenty and some nice choreography for the sword-fights.

This is the kind of movie that Full Moon - or for that matter, Dimension films - wishes it could make. Alas, modern horror is usually too gross and uninventive to match the charm and creativity of a Hammer "classic" such as "Captain Kronos."

This agreeable terror/adventure movie dals with Captain Kronos : Hort Janson, he is a tough predator of ominous foes , as he tracks down , hunts and confronts by fencing bloodthirsty enemies, and , finally, a family of vampires in this thrilling Hammer horror hybrid . Along the way captain Kronos faces off a nasty contender : Ian Hendry and saves as well as falls in love for a beautiful country girl in distress : Caroline Munro. And, eventualy, fights horrifying and dark forces. Evil Ends Here. A blood lust for eternal youth!.The Only Man Alive. Feared by the Walking Dead!

This chiller is originally mounted with nice photography by Ian Wilson, as well as lively musical score by Laurie Johnson, displaying an attractive plot with a peculiar protagonist , a sort of gothic superhero who stalks and is stalked by his preys. Being well written and filmed with tongue firmly in cheek by Brian Clemens who on this occasion sat in the filmmaker's chair as well, resulting in a mixed bag containing adventures, swashbuckling, terrifying scenes and spectacular fencing. Stars Horst Janson is pretty well as the vampire hunter who will stop at nothing to get his main goal : to hunt and kill bloodsuckers. And there are fine and fetching roles for John Cater as his hunchback helper, John Carson as a doctor, the feared young Shane Briant, Lois Daine as his mysterious sister , Wanda Wentham as an old vampyr woman and the always gorgeous Caroline Munro.

This enjoyable motion picture that isn't at all typical of Hammer's output comes from the fertile brain of Brian Clemens who directed as well, being his only one. He developed a long career with Albert Fennell at times, and mostly in television, as he penned many TV episodes from known series as Avengers, Bugs, Perry Mason, Alfred Hitchcock presents, Remington Steele, The champions, Danger man, The expert, Tension, My wife next door, Darkroom, Suspicion, The protectors, Quiller, The man of the clown, Wideworld of mysteries, The Baron, CSI the new professionals. And occassionaly for cinema as Highlanders II, Highway to battle, Trasatlantic. Rating : 6.5/10. Decent Hammer horror. Better than average .

I'm a big Hammer fan and have been wanting to see 'Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter' for a long, long time. Now finally I own it on DVD and after watching it four times I think it could very well be my favourite from the studio. It's definitely without a doubt THE most underrated Hammer movie. It did poorly at the box office but it now has one of the most enthusiastic cult followings of any Hammer film. Quentin Tarantino is reportedly a big fan of this movie and seeing how it inventively draws upon several genres (e.g. Westerns) it's really no surprise. Hammer's long running Dracula franchise was running out of steam by the early 70s, and they were looking for a new series. Enter Brian Clemens of 'The Avengers' fame, who had previously written 'Dr. Jekyll And Sister Hyde' for the studio. He came up with some innovative ideas and he thought that this would be the first of many movies to feature the Captain Kronos character. Sadly it wasn't to be, and attempts to spin off a TV series also fell through. Watching it thirty years later I just can't understand why! Anyway, German actor Horst Janson plays Captain Kronos, the enigmatic, sword wielding, dope smoking action hero, and John Cater ('The Abominable Dr. Phibes') is his hunchback assistant Professor Grost. These are two fantastic characters, and I would love to have seen further adventures by them! Horror buffs will also get a kick out of the rest of the cast. The gorgeous Caroline Munro ('Maniac') is a gypsy girl who falls for Kronos, John Carson ('The Plague Of The Zombies') is Kronos' old doctor buddy, Shane Briant ('Frankenstein And The Monster From Hell') is a local young gentleman, and Wanda Ventham (Colonel Virginia Lake in the cult series 'UFO') plays Briant's invalid mother Lady Durward. On top of that there's a fantastic cameo by Ian Hendry ('Repulsion', 'Theatre Of Blood'). Hendry had been one of the original stars of 'The Avengers' playing John Steed's first partner in the little seen early episodes. A hard drinker, his career eventually suffered because of his vices, but he is terrific confronting Kronos in one of the best scenes of the movie. I really find it hard to fault this film. I think it's a forgotten horror classic, and why anyone would even bother contemplating watching the likes of 'Blade' or 'Van Helsing' when 'Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter' is sitting on the shelf waiting to be rediscovered is beyond me! I wholeheartedly recommend this movie to every horror fan. I can't see how any fan of the genre couldn't help but love this unfairly overlooked Hammer gem!

Unfortunately I thought this vampire movie was kind of a stinker. It's a movie with watch if you got nothing else to watch

Captain Kronos is a bit on the corny side but it is fun to watch. Captain Kronos is a swashbuckling vampire hunter that is reminiscent of a comic book superhero. He was featured in a grand total of 4 Hammer Magazine Comics: The House of Hammer » 3 issues (#1, #2, #3) and Hammer's Halls of Horror » 1 issue (#20).

The movie is decent - funny sometimes. It's not a bad afternoon film. It's quite fun to watch, has a pretty good story, good costuming and sets, and a dashing, daring vampire hunter named Captain Kronos!

Basically if you like vampire stories, a comic book feel to a film, swashbuckling, and a film that does not take itself to seriously then you might enjoy Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter. It's entertaining!

7/10

CAPTAIN KRONOS : VAMPIRE HUNTER….Be honest, isn't this one of the most powerful and macho sounding film titles you've ever heard? Well, I think it is and it gives an extra status to this great film. Kronos certainly is one of the best Hammer productions and they accomplished this even without casting Peter Cushing or Christopher Lee. It's a very intriguing story that can rely on great settings, lovely costumes and a light-headed atmosphere. And above all, it's very original. Captain Kronos fools around a bit with the traditional vampire-characteristics and by doing so; it adds a lot of values to these mythical creatures. Kronos states, for example, that vampires aren't exclusively after the blood of people, they might as well just suck the youth and beauty out of their victims. This little difference in plot is enough to create a complete and fascinating movie. Add a few very original and surprisingly good little elements to this ( like the frog-theory ) and you've got yourself 90 minutes of pure fun.

Horst Janson portrays the captain. He's a strong and rather goofy looking German but the role fits him real well. He rides with Prof. Hieronymos Grost ( some sort of variant to Doctor Van Helsing with a hump) and on their way, they free the extremely good looking Caroline Munro ( her character was sentenced for dancing on a Sunday – which gives you and idea of the religious theme in this film ). The image of Miss Munro might ring several bells in the heads of horror and cult freaks. She has done quite a lot horror films ( Maniac, Slaughter High, Dracula A.D ) and worked together with great, legendary directors such as Jess Franco ( Faceless ). Captain Kronos has everything in the right proportions: some nice and gruesome make-up effects, lovely action sequences, a tad bit of humor and very good screenplay. And I do believe it was a rather influential film. The recent box-office hit Blade certainly found some of its inspiration here. Recommended !

I've only seen a couple of Hammer horror films, but I'm impressed. They seem to be subtly effective if you're looking for a few thrills and chills, not overdoing the gore, being mild on the language but yet having a definite edge to them.

"Captain Kronos" isn't super but it's enjoyable. The direction is excellent, the DVD transfer looked nice, and - like a good mystery - there's a good twist at the end regarding the murderer, er.....vampire. For us guys, there are also a lot of pretty women in here, too. The acting isn't the best but who cares? It's entertaining, and not made to be taken seriously.

I enjoyed the team of "Captain Kronos and Professor Hieronymous-Grost," and I'm surprised there wasn't a sequel. These two guys make a good team: Horst Janson as the younger, dashing swordsman, and John Cater as the older assistant. The latter provides a little comic relief, too. Their relationship reminded me a bit of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce at "Holmes and Watson."

The good captain is not your normal vampire hunter. He's just as anxious to get it on with the ladies, and he has a sexy one for a partner in Caroline Munro as "Carla." Kronos also smokes "herbal" cigars! The brief touches of comedy, western, swashbuckling, horror, mystery, romance, sex, supernatural, and who-knows-what else all make it an inventive and fun hour-and-a-half. Hey, it even gives God several good plugs! This horror movie is different, all right.

"Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter" of 1974 is certainly not one of the most brilliant films from the immortal Hammer Studios, but it is definitely a stylish and highly memorable immensely entertaining vampire flick, a typical product of the 70s, and a little gem of super-cool macho cinema. This very humorous horror flick that doesn't take itself very seriously may lack the extreme creepiness and haunting Gothic atmosphere of Hammer's masterpieces, but it features a lot of originality, great action, a great sense of humor and one of the coolest vampire hunters in motion picture history - Captain Kronos - in exchange.

The eponymous hero is played by the German actor Horst Janson. Janson may not be a great acting talent, but he greatly fits in his role of the ass-kicking vampire-killing-machine Captain Kronos, and his thick accent makes the character even cooler. Kronos is the epitome of coolness, a master swordsman and former soldier with a fat 'K' signet ring on his finger and a samurai sword as a weapon of choice who always has a cigar in the corner of his mouth. He is assisted in his profession by the hunchbacked Professor Hieronymus Grost (John Cater), who does all the work for him, since Kronos has to save his strength for the vampire killing. The two are furthermore accompanied by the stunningly hot Carla (beautiful Caroline Munro, who was in quite a bunch of memorable horror films) whom Kronos has freed from the pillories... I don't want to give too much of the story away, but I can assure that the movie is worth the time. It may lack the suspense of other Hammer flicks, but it is an extremely stylish piece of cult-cinema that entertains like hardly another film. Every fan of stylish cinema should give this a try, for my fellow Hammer-fans "Kronos" is a must-see! Highly recommended!

Slightly at odds with Hammer's usual offerings, this is a film which could have been sooo good, but as it is as much miss than hit. The story is straightforward as usual-a soldier returned from the war teams up with a hunchbacked Professor to travel the land and seek out vampires, in this case a vampire that literally sucks the life out of it's victims, leaving them as wrinkled pensioners. So far so good, but unfortunately Horst Janssen, as the eponymous hero, is woefully miscast never coming close to giving the character depth. This, of course, is a problem that doesn't lie squarely at his feet as the writer/director Brian Clemens has to hold his hand up too. Clemens was one of the great British TV writers (The Avengers being one of his major credits) but he doesn't seem to be able to shake off the shackles of TV while directing this film. He tries to get some of the surreal humour that he used in The Avengers included but it seems at odds with the rest of the film. However, this disjointed film does have it's moments and I would recommend viewing at least once, but don't expect glory days Hammer. Apparently the film was hopefully going to be the start of a new series of films and you can see how that could have happened if the film had a surer touch and a different star.

Captain Kronos (Horst Janson)is a retired officer from the Imperial Army. He is handsome, debonair and has an eye for the ladies but his full-time job sees him seeking out and destroying Vampires with the assistance of his sidekick Professor Hieronymos Grost(John Cater)(now where have I heard that name before).Grost is a hunchback and an expert on the different types of Vampire and how to seek and destroy each different kind, for we learn there are many types. On the way to assist a former army buddy of his Dr Marcus(John Carson),Kronos frees the lovely Carla (Caroline Munro)from bondage and she joins our heroes on their quest to rid the world of evil. On arriving at the home of Dr Marcus, his old friend tells him of the blight that has been affecting the area namely Young girls are being found dead with blood on their lips but more importantly they have aged rapidly. Grost is immediately able to tell which kind of Vampires they are dealing with they are the kind that needs blood of youth to stay young themselves,so Grost sets out a plan to find them. Some thugs are hired by an unknown man in a local Inn to get rid of Kronos and his associates but they are no match for our swashbuckling hero and are soon dispatched without Kronos learning who the thugs employers were. There are unfortunately no witnesses who can describe or point a finger at the guilty parties but Kronos believes that the Durwood Family(real name Karnstein) is somehow involved and so sets about luring them into his trap.

Review:Captain Kronos:Vampire Hunter is a very unusual entry in the Hammer Canon…. Director/Scriptwriter Brian Clemens film is full of interesting and original ideas which he brings to screen with an assured confidence. The Hooded figure that lurks in the leafy glades and stalks the local wenches is done very well and the identity is never given away until the end.The shadow of a crucifix that comes to life in a church is also a high point. The film is also quite funny with some very good witty dialogue that helps the film move along at a fair old pace. Kronos is a also not scarce on action and contains a good few Excellent action set pieces. Captain Kronos:Vampire Hunter was initially planned to be Hammer's next big franchise but sadly poor box office put an end to that which is a huge shame as it is truly a classic of 70s Horror and a film that all Hammer enthusiasts should see.

This well might be the first vampire movie to propose the idea that there are different "species" of vampires which have their own abilities and vulnerabilities, and which must be dispatched in different ways. This characteristic makes it different from other Hammer vampire movies, as does the casting of lesser-known actors besides Lee and Cushing. In addition, while Cushing as Van Helsing is very physical, and even swashbuckling at times (the climactic battle with Lee's Dracula in the first movie in the series being the most famous example), Captain Kronos is literally a swashbuckler, crossing swords with antagonists a number of times in the movie. There is even a plot surprise or two in Kronos that I didn't see coming, and some moments of pretty clever dialogue.

So, as many other reviewers have noted, this is one of the best Hammer horror movies, and probably the only reason it isn't more famous is that it lacks Cushing or Lee's presence. On the other hand, that's actually part of what makes it a really interesting movie. In any case, it is unjustifiably overlooked, and should be on the watchlist of any fan of British horror or vampire flicks.

Heading through the countryside, a vampire hunter and his servant find a young woman left behind by the local villagers and take her along with them where they find the area is being haunted by a series of vampire attacks that becomes far more intense and pointed at them forcing them into action to stop them.

This is a wholly underwhelming enough effort. Among the few bright spots here is the sterling Gothic atmosphere that is usually prevalent in their films coming into play here. The English countryside and remote village where the action takes place are perfectly utilized here, as the woodland scenes of the vampire stalking the various girls in the village provide numerous fantastic imagery that feels very olde-world creepy and chilling. Likewise, the castle finale where it takes place in is a suitably rustic and expansive setting that looks straight out of their classic-era efforts. Throwing in a swordfight for the major action battle is unique and manages to generate a different atmosphere for the finale, and with the fine make-up work on the dead bodies offers up the film's positives. There are a few problems to be had here. The main factor holding this one back is the rather unappealing and bland vampire hunter that we're supposed to follow along who is nowhere near the sympathetic type that's worthy of being followed. The depiction of a brash man of action who rushes into everything with slack-jawed determination and steely-resolve makes him instead be condescending and arrogant to a point that doesn't engender audience sympathy when he gets to be in danger. A loner who treats his support staff with disdain when he doesn't require their assistance doesn't strike any kind of imposing physical threat that would make the vampires fear him in any manner which further reduces the effectiveness of him in the lead role. As well, the other issue here is the decided lack of action that doesn't have much energy going for it. All we get are brief flurries of attacks that barely constitute vampire action for the first hour of the film, and these aren't all that impressive at all making their inclusion not only unnecessary but seemingly an afterthought at the expense of his struggles through the countryside village. There's nothing on-display as for how the vampire plague threatens the area since they're hardly on-screen to generate that kind of impact and the lack of information as to their purpose or why them draining victims turn them into accelerated-aged victims that has very little to do with traditional vampirism. All told, these here really lower this one significantly.

Rated PG: Violence and Brief Nudity.

Among the least known of the Hammer Studios horror output, Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter is also one of its most interesting and unusual productions. As opposed to the more in-your-face Dracula series that immortalized Christopher Lee, CK:VH knows that it is just a cinematic comic book and works with itself in a restrained, somewhat lighthearted way that is, off and on, quite effective. This film never really tries to outright scare you which, I think, is extremely cool. Instead, it sets an atmospheric table at which your imagination is invited to partake. This suave slant is the work of Director Brian Clemens who was largely responsible for the legendary '60's British TV series, The Avengers; the original, with Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg. If you remember that series, you'll recognize some of its essential look and feel in this film. Viewed from one azimuth, CK:VH is nonsense but, if you lighten up a bit and just get into the story, the movie takes on a dreamy quality against which its more `horrific' elements play in a most interesting way.

The setting, never precisely defined, seems to be central Europe during or just after the Napoleonic Wars (from the clothes). Let's call it early 19th century. Captain Kronos himself appears to be a former officer of Dragoons, separated from service although still in uniform. The implication is that, while away in the wars, he lost his wife, and possibly his child, to vampires. Now, in the company of his good friend, a hunchbacked academic and authority on vampire lore who drives a wagon loaded with tools of the vampire-killing trade, the Captain roams the region hunting the undead.

Captain Kronos is played by the German actor Horst Janson who, with his grave, nearly too-nordic features, balanced by eyes that seem to constantly smile, brings a nice sense of mystery to the role. Kronos is aloof and taciturn, though never unpleasant. He smokes long cheroots and carries a Samurai sword that he, evidently, did not acquire at a flea market. We don't learn the history of the sword, but we see that he can definitely wield it, as does a trio of toughs fronted by the local alpha-blade (the late Ian Hendry, a prominent British character actor of the period who, interestingly, was a regular during the Avengers' first season.) Actually, they don't really see the sword. They just feel it, sort of, before collapsing in a heap. Janson plays the Captain with a certain Playboy Magazine, lady's man sense of cool, echoing a time when people were just finishing up talking about sex and beginning to actually do it. If you were around then, you'll recognize the spin. It's a nostalgia hit, for sure. You might even recognize Janson's face, which was seen in full page ads in American magazines during that period; men's apparel, liquor, etc.

The Captain and his trusty companion have arrived in the film's locale in response to rumors of bad happenings. Young women of the area are undergoing drastic reverse-makeovers, emerging from them as exsanguinated centenarians. The locals, rather superstitious rural types, are in a tizzy. Could the recently-deceased head of the local, reclusive aristocratic family, whom some suspect of not being completely dead, be involved? It's an angle definitely worth investigating. The Captain makes contact with the only person in the area still in possession of his wits - the local physician - and the hunt begins.

If most Hammer films tend to be hissing fastballs down the middle, CK:VH is an off-speed slider on the corner. There's nothing fancy here, no baroque sets or sophisticated effects. In fact, the film overall has a sparse look and feel that enhances its credibility. The hunt for the vampire proceeds as a believable combination of scientific method and lore. Much of what transpires does so in daylight which, to me, carries significant implications. Evil that does not fear sunlight carries a big stick. We, as its prey, have no real hiding place. The film balances its occasionally goofy moments by never sacrificing its dignity and, at times, is quite poignant. It also features one of the most brilliantly effective sequences ever seen in this genre, illustrating how much can be accomplished with the simplest of cinematic means. I think you'll know it when you see it. This film was produced as the first in what was hoped to be a series of Captain Kronos adventures but the concept failed to grab the required audience. Pity, but at least we have this one. It's fun, stylish, and a perfect rainy-day diversion.

Captain Kronos is a great action adventure film with thrills, mystery and a dash of horror. There is a different take on vampirism, the vampire takes the youth of the victims.

Set in the early 19th Century (though it looked more 18th to me) young attractive women are being attacked in broad daylight by a scary unknown human hidden under a black monk robe. But unlike in traditional vampire films they are being drained of their youth as opposed to their blood. Meanwhile a young woman called Carla (the always delightful Caroline Munro, nice to see her get a leading role) is rescued by a pair of professional vampire hunters, the dashing Captain Kronos (Horst Janson) and his hunchbacked assistant Professor Grost. She aids them in their quest to put an end to the evil, "Time to make our move my friend. Time to kill a vampire" Kronos tells Grost. Kronos is young, handsome, smokes herbs, meditates and has an eye for the ladies, perhaps he is the first vampire hunter superhero? The movie was intended to start a new franchise but sadly it flopped upon its initial release, however please don't let that put you off watching this movie dear reader as it has since gained a cult following and deservedly so. Much of it was shot outdoors so we don't get the wonderful interior sets that Hammer were renowned for. There is a lot of swashbuckling going on here and although some of the sword fights are amusingly far fetched they are good fun. Kronos is far from being a Hammer classic but it's a pity that it was not followed by further adventures, a good watch none the less.

Ex-soldier & Swordsman, Captain Kronos (Janson) is a warrior that hunts & kills Vampires in the beautifully Gothic woods & castles of this Classy Hammer Horror production.

I really enjoyed this perfect late-night type movie with a fun cast & their very posh British accents & the stunningly sexy & seductive CAROLINE MUNRO as Carla a beautiful woman saved by Captured Kronos & joins his small team with his Hunchback assistant as they travel accross creepy Country to hunt the undead. There's a lovely old fashioned cosiness to these movies & i have fond memories of watching many Hammer Horror films on t.v late at night.

I like how Captain Kronos was like the template for the Marvel character BLADE. Horst Janson is solid as the Captain & totally looks the part. The whole production is lavish old Gothic & i loved it.

Great old music too.

This wasn't very gory but it plays more on adventure & atmosphere.

All the woman that they encounter are absolutely beautiful, wow what a village that was.

Simply one of the most fun & thrilling of the 70's Hammer Horror films.

Fans of the hit 1960s TV series "The Avengers" will not be surprised to learn of what a marvelous movie "Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter" turns out to be. Not, that is, after hearing that Brian Clemens, the producer and oftentimes writer for that cult TV favorite, was also the producer/writer/director of this film, and that Laurie Johnson, who wrote so many musical scores for "The Avengers," provided his great skills to this film, as well. But wait..."Kronos" has a lot more going for it than these two formidable talents. It concerns a swashbuckling swordsman, late of the Infantry Guard, who--with the help of a hunchbacked professor, an ex-Army doctor friend, and a gypsy girl that he meets on the highway (played by yummy cult actress Caroline Munro)--journeys around what looks to be late 18th century England, hunting and slaying vampires. But the vampires here are NOT your average sanguineous necksuckers; rather, they drain the very youth and spirit from their victims, leaving them withered husks. "Kronos" turns out to be another wonderful entertainment from the House of Hammer, with extremely handsome sets, lush outdoor photography, and one of the most interesting sword fights this side of "Scaramouche." It is remarkably imaginative throughout, and directed by Clemens with great style and panache. What a remarkable series this could have made! As an extra, the DVD features extensive commentary from Clemens and Munro that should be of great interest to all fans of films of this genre. This DVD is a real winner indeed!

Quirky, stylish, humorous, and creepy, this flick makes for a fine introductory experience to the world of Hammer. This take on vampire lore has said creature drain the actual life of its victims, right through the lips, leaving merely an ancient shell of the person afterwards! Kronos is part ninja. There's a great scene in the bar where three hired baddies attempt to cut him downKronos has his sword drawn, two bloody swipes, and put back in its sheath before the guys knew they were dead! Kronos also moves with the speed of a ninja. Each time his peasant girl (Caroline Munro) rests up against him and he gets called for, the next scene just shows her falling over. Great stuff. Another highlight was the trial and error vampire death testwatch it and see. Overall, Captain Kronos made for a pretty entertaining watch and had some nice original details and twists.

To be honest, this movie was terrible. The acting was stiff, rigid, and unbelievable. It lacks any sort of flow, the costuming had trouble staying in whatever time period they were in, and why did the main character have a samurai sword? Terrible, absolutely terrible. I saw it on American Movie Classics at around 1am on a Friday night, and I must admit, I am not even sure how a movie of this quality was made, let alone became a so-called "classic." The camera work is good, the angles are nice, but often the viewer is left wondering exactly what is happening and how the lead character comes to the far-reaching conclusions he often reaches.

If there were any justice there would have been several other films featuring Horst Janson's swashbuckling eponymous hero, but - like 'The Devil Rides Out' - this flopped (and unlike the former was curiously ignored by Hammer authority David Pirie) and remained a one-off while Hammer's ghastly spin-off of 'On the Buses' was the top money-maker of it's year and spawned two sequels.

Originally intended as a TV pilot, it eventually emerged as the only feature film ever directed by 'Avengers' creator Brian Clemens, whose customary wit it displays in lines like "What could be more improbable than God? But I believe in him..."; while it's said of John Cater as Kronos' faithful sidekick Professor Grost (sporting a hunchback that makes him resemble Mr. Punch) that "What he doesn't know about vampirism wouldn't fill a flea's codpiece".

Hammer glamour is supplied by Caroline Munro and by Lois Dane as the languidly androgynous Lady Sara Durwood (described by Kronos as "quite a bedfull"), class by Ian Hendry and both by Wanda Ventham as the matriarch of the House of Durwood.

Especially considering the movie its concept and premise, I can't help to regard this movie as a disappointing one, even though it's still an above average genre movie from the Hammer studio.

The movie and its main character might sound cool at first sight but fact is that "Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter" isn't exactly a very terribly exciting movie, aside from some good old fashioned sword fights. Not that much happens in this movie or with its main character. In potential Captain Kronos was a cool sort of action hero but unfortunately the story doesn't give him much interesting to do. The movie at times also focuses too much on the different characters in the movie with as a result that the story strains away too much from the main character which is also one of the reasons why the main character doesn't work out well enough. Beside the main character the movie also had some interesting other characters with potential but really not one of them works out well enough to consider them interesting or likable enough.

The movie however is not your average vampire flick, with blood sucking counts who live in dark castles. The movie chooses an original story instead and features some refreshingly original vampires in it. It at the same time also makes the story and movie as a whole a refreshing one that is definitely worthy seeing for the fans of the genre. The movie picks some interesting angles on the vampire legends, which does provide the movie with a couple of memorable sequences.

Out of all the Hammer studio movies this is perhaps the movie with the least 'Hammer-look'. No kitsch looking sets and props here but mostly a movie that was shot outside. It makes this movie certainly different from the other Hammer movies but at the same time that very special little Hammer touch is missing here, although the light and simple Hammer-fun is still present in the movie,

The story doesn't always flow well and the movie features some at time too long moments in which nothing good or interesting happens. The movie also isn't always entirely logic, which does make the movie and it's story perhaps a bit hard to follow at certain moments.

It's one of those movies with many flaws but that is yet perfectly good and fun enough to watch.

Its originality and a couple of good sequences are reason enough to watch this movie and consider it to be an above average one but perhaps one for the fans only. I'm glad however 'Captain Kronos' didn't turned into a series of movies, like was originally planned.

7/10

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Women in village ageing prematurely, evil at work, call in Captain Kronos, mayhem.

Hammer cheese-fest which despite the silliness is entertaining and has its creepy moments.

Horst Jansen is the striking Captain Kronos and looks and plays the part well with good support from the Dr.Watson-esque John Cater as Grost and, although Caroline Munro looks fantastic, the less said her about her acting the better.

The sets are well made as you'd expect from Hammer, the sfx aren't bad either for its time and a memorable swashbuckling sword fight at the finale.