Rating: 
Summary: A real (quirky) Classic
Review: For me, this film was Hammer's most intriguing product. It's most unlike any other vampire movie of which I'm aware. The adventures of Captain Kronos are both amusing and engaging, with a "who-done-it" plot thrown in for good measure. And the obligatory luscious females are of the highest standard in the shape of Miss Munro and, especially for me anyway, Wanda Ventham. The general atmosphere is up to the usual Hammer standards. There is one scene in particular, involving the killing of a vampire at his own behest, which is to my mind one of the most darkly comic in all the genre. Especially - but not exclusively - if you're a Hammer horror fan and haven't seen this film, you really ought to do so without delay.
Rating:
Summary: A real (quirky) Classic
Review: For me, this film was Hammer's most intriguing product. It's most unlike any other vampire movie of which I'm aware. The adventures of Captain Kronos are both amusing and engaging, with a "who-done-it" plot thrown in for good measure. And the obligatory luscious females are of the highest standard in the shape of Miss Munro and, especially for me anyway, Wanda Ventham. The general atmosphere is up to the usual Hammer standards. There is one scene in particular, involving the killing of a vampire at his own behest, which is to my mind one of the most darkly comic in all the genre. Especially - but not exclusively - if you're a Hammer horror fan and haven't seen this film, you really ought to do so without delay.
Rating:
Summary: A rather progressive undertaking...
Review: Having already swam in rather innovative waters with DR. JEKYLL AND SISTER HYDE, the team of Brian Clemens and producer Albert Fennell (of TV's The Avengers fame) were again recruited by Hammer Films for a rather progressive undertaking. Clemens' creation of the character Captain Kronos was hoping to revitalize the company's vampire genre and at the same time generate a new series of films (rumors of a TV series also surfaced). But nothing could prevent the decline of Hammer, and CAPTAIN KRONOS: VAMPIRE HUNTER was box office doom due to poor distribution in the U.K. and lack of attention on its U.S. double-billing with FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL. It didn't help that the film sat on the shelf for a full two years after it was made.Captain Kronos (played smoothly by German actor Horst Janson) is a 19th century war hero traveling across Europe with his brainy hunchback sidekick Professor Grost (John Cater from the "Dr. Phibes" films). Self-proclaimed vampire hunters, the duo befriend the wayward gypsy girl Carla (the stunning Caroline Munro) as they travel to the town of Kronos' old army pal Dr. Marcus (John Carson). The recent deaths of young girls--bitten on the lips by a hooded stranger and dying suddenly as aged women--are the reason for the visit, as Kronos confronts evil with sword in hand and Grost uses his vast knowledge of the subject to find answers. All evidence leans towards the Durwards, an aristocratic family amid a peasant village. The arrogant children (Shane Briant and Lois Daine) and their ambiguous mother (Wanda Ventham) prove mysterious indeed, but Kronos and his companions have their homework cut out for them before they discovery the true vampiric culprit(s). Filmed mostly outdoors (the perpetually scenic Black Park location) with the usual budget constraints, CAPTAIN KRONOS: VAMPIRE HUNTER is by far Hammer's most unconventional and original vampire film. Directing for the first and only time to date, Brian Clemens' adds new twists and folklore to the proceedings, and the concept of a suave, swashbuckling vampire hunter allows for themes reminiscent of Westerns and even Japanese Samurai cinema. Don't let the R-rating (probably only given it to balance its gory co-feature) and the early 70s production date fool you: KRONOS ignores the bare bosoms and excessive bloodshed in favor of comic-style story telling, quirky dialog and eccentric characters. A very good cast nourishes these traits, and there's a memorable "guest star" shot by the late Ian Hendry as the lecherous Kerro. Although Captain Kronos never returned to the big or small screens, he did make a few illustrated appearances in the House of Hammer magazine in the late 70s. A title that has been on demand (even by non Hammer diehards) for some time, Paramount has released CAPTAIN KRONOS on DVD in an anamorphically enhanced widescreen transfer, preserving the film's original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Newly struck from the original materials, image detail is fairly sharp, with colors (although drab in some scenes) usually coming across as bright and vibrant. Black levels are deep and well defined, and fleshtones appear natural. Nothing drastic in the form of excessive grain or blemishes: this is an excellent, fresh-looking transfer of a 30-year-old film. The English mono audio is sufficient. Dialogue is clear and Laurie Johnson's vigorous score sounds full. Optional English subtitles are also included. Although there's no trailer or other standard supplements, Paramount has thankfully included a commentary with director/co-producer/writer Clemens and star Munro, moderated by journalist Jonathan Sothcott. Recorded in England, the commentary benefits from Clemens' obvious enthusiasm for the project and the lead character he created (he still holds the rights to it). Clemens (who still owns the original Kronos "K" finger ring) is obviously proud of his accomplishment here, as he relays the kind of film he wanted to make as opposed to the usual Hammer outing, how he came to cast Horst Janson, the locations and sets, etc. The always charming Munro fondly recalls her first leading lady role, and obvious holds great affection for the film as well. Sothcott chimes in with good questions that will satiate Hammer fans, and the running conversation makes for a worthy look back at one of the company's later day glories.
Rating: 
Summary: Great film , great transfer, poor labelling
Review: I first ran across this film in the mid-80's when I was rediscovering Hammer films. It is probably the most unique of the gothic horror films that Hammer is known for, being both a swashbuckler and a vampire flick. The film was great, nice crisp colors, and great sound. This should make it a 5-star review, right? NO! The top banner of the keepcase says "Widescreen Collection". I was prepared to watch one of my favorite Hammer films in letterbox glory. It only plays as a fullscreen (1.33:1 aspect ratio). I will be returning mine to Wal-mart for a refund.
Rating: 
Summary: movie is pretty good
Review: I think Kronos is a decent horror movie. The effects are the best part and the photography was excellent. I liked the idea that the hero was the center of the story and not the vampire. There is also tons of hot women in the movie. On the minus side, the movie was too slow and not enough blood to satisfy my horror cravings, but overall a good movie.
Rating:
Summary: Nice Job, Paramount!
Review: I wrote an original review of the VHS tape long ago, chastising Paramount for not bringing it out on DVD. Happily, I can now replace that review and give big "thumbs up" for this presentation, that was transferred from new film elements, IS a 16X9 widescreen edition... , has a great audio commentary with the director (Brian Clemmens) and female star (Caroline Munro)and is cheap, to boot! (Amazon's list price is incorrect, according to the Paramount website - it should be $9.99 and you can find it for less than that) Anyway, it's a great show, definitely one of the most original and entertaining Hammer Films ever done. Pity it was never continued as a series. If you like swashbuckling horror with style, pick it up and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: just when the genre needed a blood transfusion....
Review: It's hard to make vampire movies fresh - that said - any vampire movie that plays with the traditional myths and still manages to carry a somewhat interesting plot deserves some props. Kronos is one of those movies. The film also demonstrates once again how well Hammer studios uses trick shots, lighting and natural scenery to establish the sense of foreboding doom and peril. If you're interested in starting a collection of vampire movies, and you already have Dracula, Horror of Dracula, The Fearless Vampire Killers, The Hunger, Near Dark, and the Frank Langella version of Dracula with Laurence Olivier...you might as well go ahead and buy this one too.
Rating:
Summary: just when the genre needed a blood transfusion....
Review: It's hard to make vampire movies fresh - that said - any vampire movie that plays with the traditional myths and still manages to carry a somewhat interesting plot deserves some props. Kronos is one of those movies. The film also demonstrates once again how well Hammer studios uses trick shots, lighting and natural scenery to establish the sense of foreboding doom and peril. If you're interested in starting a collection of vampire movies, and you already have Dracula, Horror of Dracula, The Fearless Vampire Killers, The Hunger, Near Dark, and the Frank Langella version of Dracula with Laurence Olivier...you might as well go ahead and buy this one too.
Rating:
Summary: Spirit of Quixote in Captain Kronos
Review: Not a "cookie cutter" traditional nosferatu movie. Blood is not the essence of the "undead's" existence, but rather draining youth from the young. Alternative ways on destroying vampires are explored. While viewing this film, I was struck by two themes. Firstly, the universal quest that addresses what beauty and ugliness are. Professor Heroemus Grost exemplies this by saying, "Am I so terribly ugly to provoke such mockery, am I ?, and the beautiful Caroline Munro counters with, "Beauty fades eventually, but a kind soul remains forever, my mother taught me that." Is perhaps an evil of our time [in a Madison Avenue "kind a of way"], the value of veneer rather than cultivation of universal tolernace and a "good heart" ? The second most appealing theme was the embodiment of heroism in the character of Kronos. His quest for destroying the evil of oppressing the weak by the powerful such as "stealing of youth from the young" (on a humorous note, is this why our youth create a style so "off beat", so as not to be copied or "stolen by the old"). Kronos is kind and gentle yet a skilled Samurai swordsman against the powers of darkness. The characters are rich, the story line thought provoking and direction by Brian Clements superb. Truly a quality "off beat" Hammer creation that will stand the test of time. Frank Austan, LRCP, M.Sc.
Rating:
Summary: A high "stakes" battle
Review: One of Hammer's last great horror films (the confused To The Devil, A Daughter has its moments but it was compromised from the very beginning), Captain Kronos is receiving the deluxe treatment compared to some of the other Paramount releases on DVD. The transfer is good although there are some issues related to edge enchancement that haven't been resolved here during the transfer. The colors are pretty vivid overall and, while the print isn't pristine, it looks worlds better than many of the other releases from the same time frame. The sound is standard mono. There isn't any attempt to remix the sound for 5.1 Dolby but it does sound better than the VHS version I had (although it does sound a bit flat and, pardon the pun, lifeless in a couple of spots). In the hands of veteran director Brian Clemens, Kronos couldn't possibly have gone wrong. One of the major issues that dogged Hammer towards the end of its short reign was the inability to attract top outside talent. There were exceptions to be sure, but Hammer survived at the end by producing meagerly budgeted films lacking in the talent necessary to pull it off. Happily, Kronos was an exception to this rule. Clemens, a veteran of The Avengers (among many others)directs with a stylish flourish that provides much needed energy throughout most of the film. The result is a film that, despite its shortcomings (budget being the chief complaint), still manages to dazzle. It's a pity that there was no way to introduce Peter Cushing's Van Helsing into this mix as a way to pass the baton to others as it would have been a nice touch. The Vampires here don't drink blood but, instead, drain the life force of youth from their victims. A fascintating premise and update of the traditional vampire legend. Kronos jumps to the rescue attempting to stop this plague of vampires from continuing to take more victims. Clemens' retake on this old legend helps to prevent Kronos from becoming predictable. It's clear that Clemens (and Hammer) had hopes that the film would inspire a series of films. Sadly, this wasn't to be. The DVD has a commentary by Hammer historian Jonathan Sothcott with interesting observations provided by director Brian Clemens and actress Caroline Munro. This is an example of how Warner Brothers, Columbia and, yes, even Paramount should have treated their other Hammer releases.
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