Kronos coulda been a contenda
In 1800’s England a former officer & his hunchback companion (Horst Janson & John Cater) are hired to rid a village of a form of vampirism that sucks the youth out of young women. Caroline Munro is on hand as their lovely companion while Shane Briant & Lois Daine play the effete children of the aged Lady Durward (Wanda Ventham).
Shot in 1972 but not released until 1974, "Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter" functions in the same world as Hammer’s Karnstein Trilogy, aka "The Vampire Lovers" (1970), "Lust for a Vampire" (1971) and "Twins of Evil" (1971). Tigon’s “Witchfinder General,” aka “The Conqueror Worm” (1968), is also in the same ballpark. “Captain Kronos” stands with the best of the lot and was intended to be a franchise. Unfortunately, Hammer had entered its decline and there would only be six more Hammer films until their revival three decades later.
“Captain Kronos” mixes sylvan swashbuckling adventure with mysterious Gothic horror, some inventive vampirism and a bit o’ camp (just a bit). Janson towers as the noble hero while Munro is her usual gorgeous self and Cater is amusing. There are actually several beautiful women (for which Hammer is known). The woodsy locations are exceptional and the Durward manor is sumptuous. Meanwhile the two inn confrontations are compelling. This movie should NOT be as obscure as it is.
The film runs 1 hour, 31 minutes, and was shot in Black Park Country Park just west of London and nearby Elstree Studios, northwest of the city.
GRADE: B+/A-