Why so much hype?

Thanks for the memories!

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Captain Kronos was, by all accounts, meant to be a recurring character in 5 movies, with possibly a t.v. series to follow. He was to pop up in different historical eras (including, probably, the present day) to fight supernatural evil, and it would not be explained how he did it - though presumably he is some sort of time traveller.It's a shame then, that Vampire Hunter proved to be the 1st and last entry in the series, killed by lack of audience interest in the Hammer product. Kronos is an engaging character, like-ably played by Horst Janson, and his sole screen adventure proves an engaging one. Writer/Director Brian Clemens gives us a Western-style vampire whodunit, adding numerous touches of originality to the proceedings. The vampire attacks don't drain blood - they drain the life-force itself, leaving the victim horribly aged and the correct method for dispatching the vampire can only be found by experimentation.Kronos is called in to investigate a series of these attacks, and with his lively assistant Hieronymus Grost is soon burying dead toads all over the place in the quest to root out the vampire! There's a great scene with Ian Hendry as a tavern thug out to kill Kronos, and a splendid sword duel at the end between Kronos and his chief foes.There's also a nice twist to in this engaging vampire variant at the climax, when the real vampire is finally revealed. Brian Clemens directs ably, and there's also a rousing Bernard Herman-style music score. Perhaps the new Hammer could consider reviving the good Captain? And since his mum is in this they could do worse than getting Benedict Cumberbatch involved!

A master swordsman and former soldier (Horst Janson) and his hunchbacked assistant hunt vampires.I was sold on this film as soon as a character said, "What could be more improbable than God? And yet, I believe in him." It was such a great reversal of atheist thought (that God is just as believable as unicorns) by saying if there is God, why not vampires and other ghouls? Clever! I also liked when Kronos called the various people "rat face" "fatty" and "big mouth". That was pretty funny, both for his choice of words and the way he delivered those words.

Sometimes a good movie fails for no very good reason. By 1974, the whole glorious cycle of Hammer Horrors, the long weekend four-horrors-beginning-at-midnight cycle was losing its audience, turning to slicker and more expensive Hollywood productions.Captain Kronos, infused with the campy pop-culture verve and schlock aesthetic of the late sixties/early seventies British sensibility, was, with it's comic-book feel, also ahead of its time, a completely new and inventive take on the whole vampire ethos. The hero was also a little wooden for the cigar-smoking, womanising rogue vampire hunter that he played. And the movie is, compared to other late Hammer ventures, a little lacking in babes and nudity. Nevertheless it deserves to stand with them as one of the very best Hammer productions. An interesting story that never stops moving, a fine ensemble cast, beautiful and lush photography, characters that are lively and full of interest, Kronos was a creative, unexpected and confident take on the vampire genre and one that was enjoyed by almost everyone that got the chance to see it. Not as transgressive as Vampire Circus, it nevertheless breaks the box in terms of the expected. A fine vampire movie and one of the best B movie vampire productions ever, Kronos never disappoints.

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.