Details

The highly anticipated 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray release of a brand-new 4K restoration of Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter is released 27th January 2025, marking the cult classic's 50th anniversary.

The home entertainment release kicks off Hammer Films' 90th anniversary celebrations including a partnership with Sky Arts for the premiere of Deep Fusion Films' new documentary Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters, a deep dive into the iconic studio's legacy.

Hammer Films brings cult classic Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter back to life as the first stunning 4K restoration from the new Hammer team, under John Gore's leadership. Written and directed by the legendary Brian Clemens (The Avengers, The Professionals) and originally released in 1974, this swashbuckling horror film has been meticulously restored from the original film negatives. It will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with a limited collector's edition 5-disc set (2 * UHD discs and 3 * Blu-rays) enclosed within a high-end, leather-feel slipcase with debossed red foil titling.

A film that has only grown in significance since its 1974 release, it mixes swashbuckling action with horror; a bold and innovative departure for Hammer and one that continues to inspire filmmakers today.

This release not only revives a Hammer classic but reaffirms the studio's commitment to restoring its cinematic treasures for today's horror enthusiasts and dedicated collectors worldwide.

It is the first 4K restoration from John Gore's Hammer team and an essential collector's edition that offers a deep dive into the film's creation and legacy. With extensive bonus materials, including new rare interviews and archival commentaries, it offers fans an unprecedented look behind the scenes of one of Hammer's most innovative films.

"Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter represents the adventurous spirit of Hammer in the 1970s - a bold blend of horror, action and fantasy that was ahead of its time. This 4K restoration allows us to finally present the film in its full glory, and I'm thrilled that it's the first of many Hammer Films restorations." says John Gore, Hammer Films' CEO and Chairman.

Leading lady Caroline Munro reflects "I have such fond memories of working on Captain Kronos. It was a true passion project and seeing it restored in 4K is like watching it with new eyes. Fans are in for a real treat with this release - it looks stunning and captures all the excitement we felt making it."

Sam Clemens, son of writer/director Brian Clemens, echoes this sentiment: "My father was always proud of Captain Kronos. He saw it as a fresh take on the vampire mythos and a character who could have spawned a series. This 4K restoration is the version he would have wanted fans to experience."

Special Features

Collector's Edition

  • Five discs in a stylish digipak: two UHDs and three Blu-rays, with the content duplicated across both formats
  • Three iterations of Captain Kronos: the widescreen 1.66:1 UK Theatrical Version, the fullscreen 1.37:1 As-Filmed Version and the widescreen 1.85:1 US Theatrical Version
  • Brand-new Dolby Atmos and 5.1 mixes for each version alongside the original mono film soundtrack
  • English, French, Italian, Spanish, German and Japanese subtitles on each version of the film
  • Packaged in a high-end, leather-feel slipcase with debossed red foil titling
  • Rigid inner box featuring new artwork by cult favourite artist Graham Humphreys
  • Double-sided poster of the original UK and US one-sheets
  • Eight art cards featuring facsimiles of the original US cinema lobby cards
  • 136 page booklet featuring interviews, articles and reproductions of original paperwork
  • 100 page comic featuring a reprint of the Kronos strips from legendary 1970s magazine The House of Hammer

Features

  • The House of Clemens: a brand-new 59-minute documentary looking at Brian Clemens and his body of work, with contributions from his family, friends and colleagues
  • New 2024 introduction by Caroline Munro on 1.66:1 UK Theatrical Version
  • New 2024 commentary featuring Caroline Munro and Sam & George Clemens on 1.66:1 UK Theatrical Version
  • New 2024 introduction by Sam & George Clemens on 1.37:1 As-Filmed Version
  • Archive 2011 commentary featuring Brian Clemens, Caroline Munro, Shane Briant, John Carson and Marcus Hearn on 1.37:1 As-Filmed Version
  • Archive 2011 commentary featuring Brian Clemens, Director of Photography Ian Wilson and Marcus Hearn on 1.37:1 As-Filmed Version
  • Archive 2013 introduction by Brian Clemens on 1.85:1 US Theatrical Version
  • Archive 2020 commentary featuring film historian Bruce G. Hallenbeck on 1.85:1 US Theatrical Version
  • Archive 2003 commentary featuring Brian Clemens, Caroline Munro and Jonathan Sothcott on 1.85:1 US Theatrical Version
  • Original UK Theatrical Trailer
  • Original Foreign Theatrical Trailer
  • Original US Theatrical Trailer
  • Original UK Censor Card
  • Original US Radio Spots
  • Original Textless Titles and Backgrounds
  • Kronos Returns: archive featurette on the 2008 reunion of cast and crew
  • Brian Clemens 1991 interview from the Festival of Fantastic Films archive
  • Brian Clemens 2000 interview from the Festival of Fantastic Films archive
  • Horst Janson 2010 interview from the Festival of Fantastic Films archive
  • Lois Daine 2017 interview from the James McCabe archive
  • Anything Goes: Hammer Horror in the 1970s - 2020 featurette featuring Kim Newman and Stephen Jones
  • Extensive stills gallery including many rare behind-the-scenes pictures and featuring music from Laurie Johnson's outstanding score

Booklet

  • New article on the making of Captain Kronos by actor and author Bruce G. Hallenbeck
  • Archive interviews with Horst Janson, Caroline Munro, Laurie Johnson, John Cater, Lisa Collings and William Hobbs, courtesy of Little Shoppe of Horrors magazine
  • New article examining why Kronos never made it to a franchise by film historian Laura Mayne
  • New article on Laurie Johnson by Movie Music International's John Mansell
  • Archive Brian Clemens interview from a 1974 edition of Monster Times
  • Archive review of Captain Kronos from 1974 by Video Watchdog's Tim Lucas
  • New article examining the film's UK cinema distribution by Steve Rogers
  • Reproduction pressbook, call sheet and US PR material