Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

"You see, doctor, there are as many species of vampire as there are beasts of prey. Their methods and their motive for attack can vary in a hundred different ways."

Reviewed by Justin Dekker February 26, 2025

'Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter, 4K Limited Collector's Edition' has arrived on 4K UHD and Blu-ray courtesy of Hammer, a name synonymous with some of the very best of British horror. Written and directed by the legendary Brian Clemens (TV's 'The Avengers, 'Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde') the film stars Horst Janson as the titular hero alongside Caroline Munro ('The Golden Voyage of Sinbad'). This release, the first in a series from Hammer, features the film in three different aspect ratios, and a wealth of on-disc supplemental material is spread across two 4K UHD discs and three Blu- ray discs. A 132-page perfect-bound book collecting writing on the film and a 96-page perfect-bound book of vintage comic strips are also included, as are a double-sided poster and eight lobby card reproductions. It's all housed in a sturdy slipbox with a leather finish that is enhanced by the film's title, Kronos's stylized "K" symbol, and the Hammer logo in red foil.

When Brian Clemens, a man most closely associated with the influential and iconic television series The Avengers and the chief architect of the series' success, was given the approval to write and direct a vampire story for Hammer, he knew he wanted to take the subject in a different direction from where it had been before. Prior to his project, most of Hammer's vampire films had been fairly traditional gothic efforts, featuring spooky castles, suspicious villagers, and vampires (typically played by Christopher Lee) who, despite being vanquished before the credits rolled in the time-honored methods, always seemed to him like the heroes of the picture.

Some of the more recent vampire output from the studio at the time kept many of the gothic trappings but leveraged Joseph Sheridan La Fanu's vampiric novella Carmilla (a work which beat Bram Stoker's Dracula to the punch by a quarter of a century) to inject a more feminine and overtly erotic tone to the films. 1970's The Vampire Lovers, the first in a trilogy of Carmilla Karnstein-related films, would see the sultry and seductive Ingrid Pitt (Marcilla/Carmilla) alongside Madeline Smith in pursuit of blood and other pleasures. Later that same year and with a title that leaves little doubt as to its intent, Lust for a Vampire would further the Karnstein legacy and spotlight the talents of Yutte Stensgaard and Ralph Bates. 1971's Twins of Evil would complete the cycle and sees studio mainstay Peter Cushing sharing the screen with the Collinson twins (Madeline and Mary) who were recent Playboy Playmates of the Month (October 1970), and the film used the pair's documented comfort with nudity to full advantage. Other works, such as 1970's Countess Dracula (again starring Pitt and her last feature for the studio), and 1971's Vampire Circus also broke the traditional mold in terms of both their treatment of the subject, level of violence, and amount of bloodshed. Here, too, despite their differences from the still-ongoing Christopher Lee Dracula cycle, these vampires for all of their wanton and bloody ways, were still the heroes, and they were still all but guaranteed to meet their eventual end.

It's somewhat unsurprising but no less fascinating, that, given those considerations, Clemens would craft something as dramatically different as Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter. Shot in six weeks for a budget of approximately £250,000 which Clemens states was an amount typical for Hammer films at the time, the locations used and the quality of the cast, particularly Janson, newly-minted Hammer "it-girl" Caroline Munro, and Ian Hendry, elevate the film beyond its means. It immediately works to establish Horst Janson as the hero and the vampires as forces of evil and death so the audience is never conflicted as to whom they should be supporting. When we meet him, Captain Kronos is clearly established in his role, already possessing the skills and much of the knowledge he needs to pursue and defeat these fell creatures of the night. He follows an established moral code, and it is clearly his code and not the laws of the land that he respects most as he has no hesitation to free the gypsy Carla (Caroline Munro) from the stocks to which she has been confined for committing the sin of dancing on a Sunday. Nor does he have any compunction about engaging in amorous relations with her when the two spend a night in the stable together. While society may frown on such a liaison, he clearly does not.

But Kronos is also something of a mystery. Where, exactly, does he come from? How did he come to possess his skill and knowledge? How and when did he start traveling with Professor Grost (John Carter)? There are more questions besides, and the film does its level best to not answer them. Instead, the film intends for Kronos to be accepted exactly as he is presented. In the world of the film there just is a man of these singular talents, with this particular assignation, and who is accompanied by just such an unlikely person as the hunchbacked Professor Grost. Also of note is that in this world there are a great many types of vampires, each with their own unique and distinct characteristics, and each of whom must be defeated in the correct manner. Grost is the custodian of this knowledge, but, again in keeping with the many mysteries of the film, it's never definitively established how it was acquired, tested, and verified. In Kronos these creatures cause flowers to wilt as they walk by. Rather than simply feasting on blood, Clemens' vampires, while one would again boast a connection to the Karnstein legacy, use their terrifying bite to drain the comely victims of their youth, their essence restoring the vitality of the otherwise haggard and grizzled monsters, leaving their victims irreversibly and significantly aged, almost beyond recognition.

To further separate Kronos from the studio's other vampire fare, a simple stake through the heart never enters into the equation. Using star Horst Janson's physique and athleticism to the story's benefit and in accordance with Clemens' vision, Captain Kronos is often seen on horseback, racing into danger. Swordplay is also frequently on display and such scenes call to mind the swashbuckling feats of derring-do routinely delivered by Douglas Fairbanks or Errol Flynn, though Janson's Captain Kronos always seemed deathly serious in such confrontations whether squaring off against a crowd of assailants or just one as equally skilled as he. Sneaking into a crypt to pound a stake through the chest of the beast while he sleeps could never showcase the amount of bravery and heroism needed to face a villain in mortal combat, and Janson accomplished this goal to great effect. As with the numerous films Hammer produced starring Lee's Dracula, a villain who could never stay in the grave too long, Clemens intended Kronos to be the start of a movie series before moving to television. As his name would imply, Clemens imagined the character to be able to travel through time to confront evil whenever and wherever it may be. Just as he arrives from points unknown at the start of this film, we likely wouldn't have known how he arrived where he did, merely that he was needed. Interesting as the concept was and still is, this film, which arrived unceremoniously in theaters in 1974 some two years after it was finished, is still the only cinematic chapter of his adventures that audiences have to enjoy. Happily, the film still shines and Janson and Munro remain as entertaining and engaging as ever.

Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

According to the included notes on the restoration, for this release, Hammer was able to source a 35mm original negative that was held by Paramount in the US. Luckily, it was in relatively good condition. It was scanned in at 4K resolution (16 bit) before undertaking efforts to remove dirt and debris and performing color correction before giving it an HDR/Dolby Vision color grade, while taking care to preserve the obvious blue-push used in the day-for-night shots. This scan is the source for all three presentations included here for viewers to enjoy no matter which aspect ratio they select. I've owned several previous releases of Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter and while I briefly brought this release out for a point of comparison, I quickly put it away as to do so would have been a fruitless exercise.

Simply put, the image on display in this release is nothing short of stunning. The film retains a wonderful light grain structure that resolves naturally and provides Kronos with an immensely filmic look. Colors are deeply saturated, but never garishly so, and remain consistent with the film's vintage and gothic/folk-horror presence. Reds, like those found on the barding of Captain Kronos' horse pop nicely, but such occurrences are rarer than what would be seen in modern films. Skin tones are universally healthy and allow for suitable realistic contrast across various skin types, from maidens with milky-white skin to Munro's slightly olive complexion, to Hendry's older and redder visage. Depth and dimensionality are strong and are aided by pleasingly deep and inky black levels which add the requisite spookiness to certain scenes but still allow for the exploration of shadowed areas. Whites can be rather brilliant but given the rustic setting and relatively humble means of most who live there, there are few opportunities to observe this as one would expect. Fine detail is high across all scenes and shots. All manner of particulars are consistently available for inspection allowing viewers to appreciate Munro's make-up and hairstyles, the wide range of costuming elements, and the practical effects work. Environmental details are similarly well rendered, with the wood grain, age, and innumerable drink rings on the bar, foliage in the forest scenes, and brickwork and masonry on interiors and exteriors all presenting with great realism. The film has never looked better.

Screenshots 1 - 6 are from the 1.66:1 UK Theatrical Version.
Screenshots 7 - 12 are from the 1.37:1 As-Filmed Version.
Screenshots 13-18 are from the 1.85:1 US Theatrical Version.

Please note, all screenshots are sourced from the included 1080p discs.

Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As with the video presentation, the audio presentation has also undergone something of a transformation and it was similarly quite tastefully done. Per the included notes, a three-track mono DME (dialogue, music, and effects) was provided by Paramount and served as the foundation of both the Dolby Atmos track and the 5.1 track. The aim here was to create tracks that would be more in tune with modern ears. However, as should always be the standard, the original mono mix is also included for those who wish to have a more authentic viewing experience. For the purposes of this review, I spent the bulk of my time with the Dolby Atmos and the mono tracks, the 5.1 track seemed to me to be in a strange limbo between the two and I can't imagine a time I would select over the other two options. The Dolby Atmos track affords the listener engaging but restrained moments of immersion, especially with regard to music and environmental sounds, with one of the more vigorous and surprising moments being the first thunderclap at around the one-hour and thirty-minute mark which reverberates nicely throughout the sound field. And I would be remiss if I failed to mention that the score provided by Laurie Johnson, who also did work for The Avengers and many other films and series, sounds glorious from start to finish. Dialogue is typically front and center, and the front channels do a fair amount of work, but it is enhanced by precise sound separation, providing a richer listening experience. Those new to the film worry about some instances where the sync seems a bit loose with Horst Janson's dialogue, but that is merely the result of star Horst Janson's dialogue being dubbed by another actor. This was the common practice at the time, even if the accent would have fit the part perfectly as was the case with Ingrid Pitt in The Vampire Lovers, for example. Janson's German accent would have added another interesting character trait for Kronos, but, alas, that was not meant to be. The mono mix is sure to delight purists who will, no doubt, gravitate toward that track and the differences between it and the Dolby Atmos track will be immediately apparent. Lacking the subtlety of the Atmos track, there is a more forceful midrange that adds vigor to effects and musical stings, though dialogue, particularly, for example, Munro's lines as she prepares to make camp for the first time with Kronos and Grost, can sound a bit thin, as do the lines by Isabella's parents as the unfortunate young woman returns home after a fateful trip to see a friend. Typically, however, this is not an issue and voices sound appropriately full-bodied. The mono track is a capable and suitable track to accompany a film from the early 1970s, but to me, the Dolby Atmos track will always be the selection when it's time to view Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter again.

Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Hammer's new release of Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter includes a treasure trove of on-disc and printed supplemental material.

All content from discs 1 and 2, the 4K UHD discs, is repeated on discs 3 and 4 (Blu-ray discs) and is as below:

Disc 1 (4K UHD) and 3 (Blu-ray):

• Widescreen 1.66:1 UK Theatrical Version With Introduction by Caroline Munro (4.18) - The always elegant Munro is seated before a mixing board, enthusiastically sharing some recollections from the shoot and praising the film and the new transfer.

• Widescreen 1.66:1 UK Theatrical Version With 2024 Commentary Featuring Caroline Munro and Sam & George Clemens.

• FullScreen 1.37:1 As-Filmed Version with Introduction by Sam & George Clemens (1.31) - The pair share their satisfaction with the beautiful new restoration of the only film their father directed, much of which was evidently shot near the family's home.

• FullScreen 1.37:1 As-Filmed Version with 2011 Commentary Featuring Brian Clemens, Caroline Munro, Shane Bryant, John Carson, and Marcus Hearn.

• FullScreen 1.37:1 As-Filmed Version with 2011 Commentary Featuring Brian Clemns and Director of Photography Ian Wilson. The commentary is moderated by author Marcus Hearn.

• Original UK Theatrical Trailer (2.37)

• original Foreign Theatrical Trailer (2.45)

• UK Censor Card (0.12)

Discs 2 (4K UHD) and 4 (Blu-ray):

• Widescreen 1.85:1 US Theatrical Version with 2013 Introduction by Brian Clemens (6.40) - Clemens explains that this project came hot on the heels of him completing work on Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde for Hammer. He was given the green light to write and direct a vampire story, so he set out to craft something a bit different. He drew over 1000 storyboard images to support him in his task, rewriting the part of the gypsy for Munre, and finding Janson through a bit of luck. He believes the film's enduring popularity is partly due to the film creating its own world, and he counts Peter Jackson as one of the film's fans.

• Widescreen 1.85:1 US Theatrical Version with 202 Commentary Featuring film Historian Bruce G. Hallenbeck - Carried over from the Shout Factory release.

• Widescreen 1.85:1 US Theatrical Version with 2003 Commentary Featuring Brian Clemens, Caroline Munro, and Jonathan Sothcott - Carried over from the Shout Factory release.

• Original US Theatrical Trailer (2.55)

• Textless Titles and Backgrounds (3.54)

• Kronos Returs: 2008 Reunion (26.47) - On March 29, 2008, the film's cast and crew (Horst Janson, John Carter, Caroline Munro, William Hobbs, Lois Daine, John Carson, and Brian Clemens) reunited for an event at the Cine Lumiere. They signed autographs, posed for pictures, and shared memories from shooting the film. Footage from the event is mixed with documents from the film's production and footage from the film. Carried over from the Shock release.

• US Radio Spots (2.58) - Radio spots play accompanied by a mix of stills and posters.

• Anything Goes: Hammer in the 1970s (32.55) - Author/Critic Kim Newman and Author/Editor Stephen Jones begin with a high-level of discussion about the early 1970s being an extremely fertile period for British horror that included but was not limited to Hammer's output. The pair do, however, pay particular attention to the important and varied Hammer projects. Eventually, they settle into a discussion of Kronos explaining how the film arrived at the twilight of Hammer's dominance in a post-Exorcist horror landscape, and how it and other Hammer films struggled to find a wider audience outside of the UK. Ultimately, they arrive at the position that Hammer's 70s horror films in general, and Kronos specifically deserve more respect and attention than they typically receive. Carried over from the Shout Factory release.

• Stills Gallery (26.53)

Disc 5, a Blu-ray disc devoted entirely to bonus material, contains the following special features:

• House of Clemens (59.05) - In this 2024 segment, English actor/writer/comedian Toby Hadoke ventures into the English countryside to visit Brian Clemens' home. While Clemens passed in 2015, he is met at the home by his wife Janet, and two sons, Sam and George. The trio serves as hosts, guiding him through a home stuffed with artifacts from projects he worked on, pausing to discuss the film and television titan's work habits, career, inspirations, collections, and triumphs. His home since 1966, it is still very much as it was in Clemens' day, and the documentary is intercut with footage of vintage interviews with Clemens, along with more modern interview footage from those he worked with and those who appreciate his work. Of particular enjoyment are the modern appearances of Joanna Lumley and Caroline Munro.

• Brian Clemens 1991 Interview (12.47) - Sourced from standard definition materials recorded at the Festival of Fantastic Films, this spot sees Brian Clemens interviewed by Stepehn Gallagher in front of a small but enthusiastic crowd. Clemens covers his career from its very beginnings including receiving his first typewriter from his father, and his time in the army. From there he went on to his early career as a contract writer, and his time writing movies based on available set elements, and becoming a script editor for Danger Man before moving on to a little show called The Avengers, a show that he says was born from a series of serendipitous events. He stops briefly on And Soon the Darkness before touching on Kronos, a film for which he produced over 1000 storyboard drawings. Clemens' original intent was for it to become a series of films followed by a television series, but that notion didn't gain traction with Hammer.

• Brian Clemens 2000 Interview (1.01:43) - Sourced again from standard definition elements recorded at the Festival of Fantastic Films, this spot sees Brian Clemens interviewed by Stephen Laws in front of a smallish crowd based on the volume of applause the microphone captures. Clemens recounts beginning writing at age five and selling his first story at age 12. More of his early career is discussed as well. He laments the current state of television which he feels does not develop directors. Clemens shares holding down multiple jobs while he was writing film scrips for the Danzigers before landing a job working on "Danger Man". The discussion turns toward the iconic series The Avengers at around the 22-minute mark, with Clemens covering the topic beginning with its origins, continuing on to his level of creative control over the series, and his feelings on the 1998 film. Clemens addresses his other television series and films as well.

• Horst Janson 2010 Interview (46.09) - Another product of the Festival of Fantastic Films, star Horst Janson, who is approximately 74 at the time, is interviewed by Wayne Kinsey. With a thick German accent, Janson discusses the origins of his acting career and his initial contract with a German film studio. The two dig into his television and film work, with time given to locations, co-stars, and a variety of anecdotes. Just before the halfway point, the pair begin to discuss Hammer and Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter, with a particular highlight being his recollection of the swordplay in which he participated and working with Brain Clemens. Based on how it was recorded, the audio is a bit muddy, but it's an enjoyable session and Janson is very congenial and funny for the duration.

• Hunted: Lois Daine Remembers the Making of 'Captain Kronos' (2017 Interview) (13.48) - Daine, who portrayed Sara Durward, shares many fond memories of her time working on Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter, a smile rarely leaving her face. She begins by recalling how she landed a role in the film, her influence on the costuming choices for her character, and her initial case of nerves on the set. She expresses a small amount of disappointment that there wasn't a proper opening for the film upon its completion before adding her thoughts on Brian Clemens.

The printed material consists of:

• Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter (The Graphic Novel) - This 96-page perfect-bound book collects the black and white comic strips for the feature film and a sequel that was created by the creative teams of Steve Moore and Steve Parkhouse, and Steve Moore and Ian Gibson that were originally published in "Hammer's Halls of Horror 20" (May 1978) and "The House of Hammer 1-3" October -December 1976, respectively.

• The Kronos Chronicles - Filled with archival and new writing and black and white and color photographs, this 132-page perfect-bound book is bursting with material covering the film in a most holistic fashion.

• Lobby Cards - 8 full-color lobby fard reproductions are included.

• Double-sided Poster - One side of the poster features art from the UK one-sheet while the other side sports the US art.

Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Brian Clemens' Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter is a deft mix of swashbuckling action, gothic vampire thrills, romance, folk horror, and humor, and is rather unique in Hammer's impressive catalog. The film has been a favorite of mine since first discovering it in my early days of exploring the studio's horror offerings, and as Caroline Munro observes in her introduction to the film, Kronos has finally received its due, and with this release, the film that was born into the world with little fanfare is ripe for rediscovery by new and established fans alike. Graced with an incredible 4K (and Blu-ray) presentation, a thoughtfully crafted Dolby Atmos track, an encyclopedic amount of on-disc and printed extras, all of which are housed in a beautiful slipcase, it's an amazing first foray into 4K for Hammer and an obvious early contender to show up on my list of the best releases of 2025. Fans of horror, Munro, and Hammer will definitely want to add a copy to their collections, and Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter 4K Limited Collector's Edition earns my highest recommendation.