Synopsis
Before Buffy, before Jesus Christ, there was Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter. Ahandsomely if inexpensively mounted period piece, this sees the dashing swordsman of the titlebattling vampires in the English countryside. In this instance, the vampire doesn’t suck blood,but youth. The plotting is very haphazard, and the action scenes leave something to be desired,but there are fun turns by the usual set of British character actors, and Caroline Munro lends herever-smould…ring presence to the proceedings. The film clearly sets up the possibility of a sequel,but, after being shelved for two years, the film bombed in 1974, ending Hammer’s hopes for asuccessful action/horror franchise.
Audio
The sound is mono, and there has been no messing around with the track to force it intounnatural stereo. The mono here is just fine, thank you very much, with no distrotion and a good,rich sound to the score.
Video
The print is in very good shape, with no speckling or dirt. There aren’t any noticeable edgeenhancement problems either. The colours and contrasts are nice, if not brilliant, and the blacksare solid too. There is some grain, and the picture is rather soft, but allowances for a thrity-plus-year-old film must be made. The aspect ratio is 16×9 enhanced.
Special Features
The only extra is a commentary track by writer/director/producer Brian Clemens, CarolineMunro, and genre historian Jonathan Sothcott. Clemens does most of the talking, and he doesgo over some obvious plot description (and rather unfortunately interrupts Munro at one point),but the talk is a very chummy tour through the hows and wherefores of the making of the film.The menu is basic.
Closing Thoughts
Though no classic, this is a must for Hammer completists, and has long been MIA from thevideo shelves. A very welcome release.
Special Features List
- Audio Commentary
