If you're a classic horror fan, ya gotta love the late 60s/early 70s output by England's Hammer Films. No, they aren't definitive examples of cinematic art or blood-curdling terror. In fact, a lot of them aren't even very good. But they're almost always a lot of fun, fairly well-done, and lovingly made by folks who appear to be at least trying to make a good movie. Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter was made in 1974, toward the end of Hammer's heyday, and remains one of the studio's more amusing efforts. It's finally getting the DVD treatment from Paramount, just in time for Halloween.

There's a different breed of Vampire terrorizing the folks of a small English village. At the behest of an old war buddy, Captain Kronos (Horst Janson) and his hunchbacked sidekick, Professor Grost (John Cater), arrive to locate and slay this menace before it can kill again. Along the way, they rescue a beautiful young woman named Carla (Caroline Munro...mee-ow!), who soon decides to tag along. This isn't your typical, run-of-the-mill bloodsucker. It can attack in broad daylight, and doesn't actually feed on blood; instead, it hypnotizes its victims, then drains them of their youth with a kiss. Of course, being a Hammer Film, nearly all the victims are nubile young girls. Never fear, though...Kronos and Grost are quite experienced at combating a variety of bloodsuckers, and soon come up with creative methods to locate and battle this one (including utilizing some dead frogs, and forging a sword out of a steel crucifix). Captain Kronos has all the elements that make Hammer Films so amusing... buxom women, plenty of titillation, daffy dialogue, a few scenes of bloody violence, and a host young male actors whom, despite the fact the movie takes place in the 19th century, all look like members of the Dave Clark Five. In fact, the only thing missing is the presence of Christopher Lee or Peter Cushing. The film doesn't take itself too seriously, either; there's a great scene in which Kronos and Grant repeatedly try to kill their recently-attacked buddy, to no avail. Writer-director Brian Clemens also slips in several clever homages to classic westerns, such as an early scene in a small English pub - replace the swords with guns, and you have a scene that would fit right into any Sergio Leone western. The movie is fast-paced, with some fun swashbuckling action, a few truly creepy scenes, and performances that may never have crossed the minds of Oscar voters, but serve the story well. Janson, as the title character, is likably bland and handsome (though the beige tights of his costume often makes it look like he's riding through the English countryside without any pants). Caroline Munro is...well, Caroline Munro. Her character pretty much exists to appear sexually ravaged by Kronos, and offer brief-but-tasteful flashes of skin. Yeah, it's gratuitous, but since I think Munro is one of the hottest women ever to grace my TV, I personally found it hard to complain.

Considering the age of the film, and what little effort Paramount usually puts into restoring its catalogue titles, this is a pretty good transfer. It's presented in its original aspect ratio, with some edge enhancement. There are a few scenes with some grain, as well as noticeable blemishes, but for a 30-year-old, fairly low-budget release, it's a good picture. The sound is only restored in English mono, and while it isn't too bad, I've heard better audio transfers from Paramount.

Unless they are renowned classics, most Paramount catalogue titles are given bare-bones DVD releases. This one, however, offers a full-length audio commentary by Clemens, Munro and film historian Jonathan Sothcott. It's a pretty decent commentary. Sothcott occasionally offers questions to prompt the two others, and wisely remains silent while they reflect upon the making of the film. Other than that, though, there aren't any other extras.

Similar films: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Vampire Lovers, John Carpenter's Vampires Summary: While some younger viewers may find Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter to be campy and quaint (which it is), fans of Hammer horror are sure to love this release, as it's nicely restored and offers all the elements they've grown to appreciate in this English subgenre.