Handsome, debonair, dope-smoking vampire hunter and expert swordsman Captain Kronos (Horst Janson) and his eccentric hunchback assistant Professor Grost (John Cater) – an authority on vampire lore – find themselves in a small village in an indeterminate European country where several of the young local women have been found in an advanced state of age, with their youth literally drained from them.
Accompanied by his old army pal Dr Marcus (John Carson) and a rescued gypsy girl called Carla (Caroline Munro), the pair’s search leads them to the Durward estate, where they are met by the effete children of the apparently aged and sick Lady Durward (Wanda Ventham).
Ian Hendry turns up briefly as a cruel goon who finds himself on the receiving end of Janson’s sword in a bar-room battle.
Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter stands head-and-shoulders above most Hammer films, largely due to writer/director Brian Clemens – a man associated with some of the best British television dramas of the 60s and 70s, including The Avengers, Adam Adamant Lives, The Champions, The Professionals and many more – in the only movie he would make.
This was intended to be the first of many movies featuring the Captain Kronos character, but sadly, it wasn’t to be, as Hammer collapsed shortly after its release. Attempts to spin off a TV series also fell through.
Although German actor Horst Janson spoke very good English, the Hammer bosses re-dubbed his voice with an uncredited Julian Holloway.
Captain Kronos
Horst Janson Dr Marcus
John Carson Paul Durward
Shane Briant Carla
Caroline Munro Professor Hieronymos Grost
John Cater Sara Durward
Lois Daine Kerro
Ian Hendry Lady Durward
Wanda Ventham Lord Hagen Durward
William Hobbs George Sorell
Brian Tully Pointer
Robert James Barlow
Perry Soblosky Giles
Paul Greenwood Vanda Sorell
Lisa Collings Isabella Sorell
Susanna East Barton Sorell
Stafford Gordon Ann Sorell
Elizabeth Dear Myra
Joanna Ross Lilian
Olga Anthony Tom
Terence Sewards Deke
Trevor Lawrence Petra
Caroline Villiers Jane
Linda Cunningham
Accompanied by his old army pal Dr Marcus (John Carson) and a rescued gypsy girl called Carla (Caroline Munro), the pair’s search leads them to the Durward estate, where they are met by the effete children of the apparently aged and sick Lady Durward (Wanda Ventham).
Captain Kronos
Kerro
Barlow
Ann Sorell
