Capitan Kronos, Cazavampiros ( Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter, 1974 ) dirigida por Brians Clemens

¡Vamos a Matar Vampiros, Compañeros !

Detras de Kronos se encuentra el nombre de Brians Clemens, este estuvo detras de la mitica serie inglesa de Los Vengadores ( The Avengers ), entre muchas otras. Con esta pelicula, fue la primera y última vez, que incursiono en el mundo de la dirección cinematografica. Tambien la escribio y la produjo. De Capitan Kronos, se espero que tuviera el suficiente exito como para empezar una serie de peliculas, lastima que el proyecto naufragara.

Clemens, con gran maestria, urde una trama donde se mezclan diferentes elementos del folclore vampirico; para darle caza se usan diversas trampas; para matarlo, hay diversas maneras: la clasica estaca en el corazón, el ahorcamiento, y un largo etcetera. Luego, aqui ya no existe un solo tipo de vampiro, no, aquel con el que tiene que enfrentarse el heroe, es uno que se alimenta de la juventud para mantener la suya propia. La musica a cargo de Laurie Johnson es muy buena, su magnifica partitura, llena de imaginación, fuerza y originalidad, es la clase de acompañamiento que sirve como compañia ideal, logrando envolver al espectador.

En una remota comunidad europea estan sucediendo sucesos muy extraños, jovenes doncellas estan siendo atacadas por un ser que les roba su juventud dejandolas viejas y apergaminadas. Es entonces cuando toma cartas en el asunto un viejo soldado, que ahora se dedica a cazar vampiros: Kronos; pero él no esta solo, es ayudado por su fiel amigo y ayudante: el profesor Hyeronymos Grost, quién sobre lo oculto sabe bastante y una muchacha de nombre Carla, la cual, al ser ayudada por Kronos en su hora mas terrible, se une en la lucha de aquél contra el mal. Es asi como los tres van en ayuda del doctor Marcus. Mientras la investiga-

ción es llevada a cabo por nuestros heroes, mas victimas van apareciendo y es entonces cuando, debido a un hecho que atañe a estos, llegan a dar con el responsable de tan atroces crimenes.

Clemens, a pesar de no ser un gran director logra escenas muy buenas, como por ejemplo todo el rito de creación de la espada que dara fin al vampiro; las escenas de lucha estan bastante bien logradas, y, es en estas, donde se muestra lo sobresaliente que es el personaje de Kronos y es alli donde se nos da pistas sobre su caracter sobrenatural, a pesar de que en algún punto de la cinta se nos develara parte de su pasado, como pista solo basta decir, de que Blade esta hermanado a él por algo. Los actores estan todos muy bien en sus papeles, Ian Hendry, haciendo de espadachin malvado y duro al que todos le temen esta bastante creible; por el lado de los personajes buenos: Horst Janson, el actor que encarna al Capitan Kronos, le sale bien el papel de hombre con un pasado tragico y que siempre anda taciturno; John Cater, quien da vida al profesor Hieronymos Grost, hace de su papel a alguien querible y tiene momentos realmente

muy buenos; por el lado de Caroline Munro, solo queda decir una cosa: ¡ esta espectacular !; en cuanto a John Carson, aquél compone un buen personaje, que en su momento mas tragico realmente saca lo mejor del personaje.

Capitan Kronos es una pelicula, que a pesar de no haber sido exitosa en su tiempo, se ha vuelto una pieza obligatoria para todo aquel amante del genero, al igual que para que el que no lo es. Como anecdota, solo decir que la actriz Ingrid Pitt, dijo en entrevistas que rehuso hacer un cameo.

A continuación todo lo que hizo hasta el momento, Brian Clemens:

Writer:

McBride: Fallen Idol (2006) (TV)
"The Wrong Side of the Rainbow" (2000) TV Series (writer)
"Bugs" (40 episodes, 1995-1999) - The Enemy Within (1999) TV Episode (creator) - Money Spiders (1999) TV Episode (creator) - Twin Geeks (1999) TV Episode (creator) - Jewel Control (1998) TV Episode (creator) - Pandora's Box (1998) TV Episode (creator) (35 more)
"CI5: The New Professionals" (1998) TV Series (unknown episodes)
Justine: A Private Affair (1995)
"Highlander" (1 episode, 1993)... aka Highlander (France) ... aka Highlander: The Series - See No Evil (1993) TV Episode (writer)
Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride (1992) (TV) (story) (teleplay)
Perry Mason: The Case of the Reckless Romeo (1992) (TV) (written by)
Perry Mason: The Case of the Glass Coffin (1991) (TV) (written by)
Highlander II: The Quickening (1991) (story) ... aka Highlander II: The Renegade Version (UK: director's cut) (USA: video title (director's cut)) ... aka Highlander - Le retour (France) ... aka Highlander 2 (Argentina)
"Father Dowling Mysteries" (2 episodes, 1990-1991)... aka Father Dowling Investigates (UK) - The Substitute Sister Mystery (1991) TV Episode (story) - The Christmas Mystery (1990) TV Episode (written by)
"Blaues Blut" (1990) TV Series (unknown episodes)... aka Blue Blood (UK) ... aka Scandalous
Blue Blood (1988) (TV)
Timestalkers (1987) (TV) (also story)
"Worlds Beyond" (1986) TV Series (unknown episodes)
"Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense" (2 episodes, 1984-1986) - The Sweet Scent of Death (1986) TV Episode - Mark of the Devil (1984) TV Episode
"The Secret Servant" (1984) TV Series (writer)
"Remington Steele" (2 episodes, 1984) - Puzzled Steele (1984) TV Episode (story) - Steele Your Heart Away (1984) TV Episode (teleplay)
"Bergerac" (1 episode, 1983) - Ninety Per Cent Proof (1983) TV Episode (writer)
"The Professionals" (57 episodes, 1977-1983) - No Stone (1983) TV Episode (creator) - A Man Called Quinn (1983) TV Episode (creator) - The Ojuka Situation (1983) TV Episode (creator) - The Untouchables (1983) TV Episode (creator) - Spy Probe (1982) TV Episode (creator) (52 more)
"Darkroom" (1 episode, 1981) - A Quiet Funeral (1981) TV Episode
The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
Escapade (1978) (TV)
"The New Avengers" (9 episodes, 1976-1977)... aka Chapeau melon et bottes de cuir (France: dubbed version) ... aka The New Avengers in Canada (Canada: English title: last season title) - The Three-Handed Game (1977) TV Episode (writer) - Dirtier by the Dozen (1977) TV Episode (writer) - Sleeper (1976) TV Episode (writer) - Faces (1976) TV Episode (writer) - The Tale of the Big Why (1976) TV Episode (writer) (4 more)
"Thriller" (42 episodes, 1973-1976) - Kill Two Birds (1976) TV Episode - Dial a Deadly Number (1976) TV Episode - Nightmare for a Nightmare (1976) TV Episode - The Next Victim (1976) TV Episode - Sleepwalker (1976) TV Episode (37 more)
"Quiller" (1975) TV Series (unknown episodes)
"Comedy Premiere" (1975) TV Series
Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter (1974) ... aka Kronos (USA) ... aka Vampire Castle
The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974) (also story)
"The Protectors" (6 episodes, 1972-1973) - Decoy (1973) TV Episode - Goodbye George (1973) TV Episode - Chase (1973) TV Episode (writer) - Vocal (1973) TV Episode (writer) - Thinkback (1972) TV Episode (writer) (1 more)
"The Adventurer" (1972) TV Series (unknown episodes)
The Woman Hunter (1972) (TV) (also story)
"My Wife Next Door" (1972) TV Series (unknown episodes)
"The Persuaders!" (3 episodes, 1971) - That's Me Over There (1971) TV Episode (screenplay) - The Old, the New, and the Deadly (1971) TV Episode (screenplay) - Overture (1971) TV Episode (screenplay)
Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde (1971)
Blind Terror (1971) ... aka See No Evil (USA)
And Soon the Darkness (1970) (screenplay) (story)
"The Champions" (2 episodes, 1968-1969) - Autokill (1969) TV Episode (writer) - Happening (1968) TV Episode (writer)
"The Avengers" (32 episodes, 1961-1969) - Bizarre (1969) TV Episode (teleplay) - Requiem (1969) TV Episode (teleplay) - Homicide and Old Lace (1969) TV Episode (teleplay) (uncredited) - Pandora (1969) TV Episode (teleplay) - The Morning After (1969) TV Episode (teleplay) (27 more)
"The Expert" (1968) TV Series (unknown episodes)
"Liebesgeschichten" (1 episode, 1967) - Nach all den Jahren (1967) TV Episode (play)
Hölle von Macao, Die (1967) ... aka Corrompus, Les (France) ... aka Hell to Macao ... aka Sigillo di Pechino, Il (Italy) ... aka The Corrupt Ones (USA) ... aka The Peking Medallion (UK)
"Adam Adamant Lives!" (1 episode, 1966) - A Slight Case of Reincarnation (1966) TV Episode (story)
"The Baron" (1 episode, 1966) - The Maze (1966) TV Episode (screenplay) (as Brian H. Clemens)
"Intrigue" (1966) TV Series (unknown episodes)
Curse of the Voodoo (1965) (as Tony O'Grady) ... aka Curse of Simba ... aka Lion Man ... aka Voodoo Blood Death (USA)
"Riviera Police" (1965) TV Series (unknown episodes)
"The Protectors" (1964) TV Series (unknown episodes)
"The Sentimental Agent" (1963) TV Series (unknown episodes)
Station Six-Sahara (1962) ... aka Endstation 13 Sahara (West Germany)
"Man of the World" (1962) TV Series (unknown episodes)
Fate Takes a Hand (1962)
"Danger Man" (7 episodes, 1960-1962) - The Dead Man Walks (1962) TV Episode (screenplay) - The Nurse (1962) TV Episode (screenplay) - The Leak (1961) TV Episode (screenplay) - Bury the Dead (1961) TV Episode (original story) - The Island (1961) TV Episode (screenplay) (2 more)
The Silent Invasion (1962)
The Spanish Sword (1962) (story)
"Sir Francis Drake" (1961) TV Series (unknown episodes)... aka The Adventures of Sir Francis Drake
"Ghost Squad" (1961) TV Series (unknown episodes)... aka G.S.5 (UK: third season title)
Two Wives at One Wedding (1961)
"Top Secret" (1961) TV Series (unknown episodes)
Highway to Battle (1961)
"The Mask of the Clown" (1961) TV Series (writer)
The Court Martial of Major Keller (1961)
The Middle Course (1961)
Return of a Stranger (1961)
The Pursuers (1961)
Tarnished Heroes (1961)
The Tell-Tale Heart (1960) ... aka The Hidden Room of 1,000 Horrors ... aka The Horror Man
Identity Unknown (1960)
An Honourable Murder (1960)
Transatlantic (1960)
"Invisible Man" (2 episodes, 1959)... aka H.G.Wells' Invisible Man (UK: complete title) - The Big Plot (1959) TV Episode (story) (as Tony O'Grady) - Shadow Bomb (1959) TV Episode (story and screenplay) (as Tony O'Grady)
Web of Suspicion (1959)
Top Floor Girl (1959)
The Child and the Killer (1959)
Crash Drive (1959)
Great Van Robbery (1959) (story) (also uncredited screenplay)
A Woman's Temptation (1959)
The Secret Man (1958) (screenplay) (as Tony O'Grady) (story) (as Tony O'Grady)
Links of Justice (1958)
Moment of Indiscretion (1958)
A Woman Possessed (1958)
Three Crooked Men (1958) (story)
"White Hunter" (1 episode, 1958) - Gun Duel (1958) TV Episode (as Tony O'Grady)
Innocent Meeting (1958)
On the Run (1958)
A Woman of Mystery (1958)
High Jump (1958)
At the Stroke of Nine (1957) (as Tony O'Grady)
Three Sundays to Live (1957)
The Betrayal (1957)
Operation Murder (1957)
The Depraved (1956)
Producer:
1990s
1970s
1960s
"CI5: The New Professionals" (1998) TV Series (executive producer) (unknown episodes)
"The Professionals" (executive producer) (2 episodes, 1978) - Where the Jungle Ends (1978) TV Episode (executive producer) - Klansmen (????) TV Episode (executive producer)
"The New Avengers" (1976) TV Series (producer) (unknown episodes)... aka Chapeau melon et bottes de cuir (France: dubbed version) ... aka The New Avengers in Canada (Canada: English title: last season title)
Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter (1974) (producer) ... aka Kronos (USA) ... aka Vampire Castle
Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde (1971) (producer)
And Soon the Darkness (1970) (producer)
"The Avengers" (producer) (57 episodes, 1967-1969) (associate producer) (26 episodes, 1965-1966) - Bizarre (1969) TV Episode (producer) - Take-Over (1969) TV Episode (producer) - Requiem (1969) TV Episode (producer) - Thingumajig (1969) TV Episode (producer) - Homicide and Old Lace (1969) TV Episode (producer) (78 more)
Miscellaneous Crew:
1990s
1970s
1960s
"Bugs" (series consultant) (5 episodes, 1995) - Shotgun Wedding (1995) TV Episode (series consultant) - Down Among the Dead Men (1995) TV Episode (series consultant) - All Under Control (1995) TV Episode (series consultant) (uncredited) - Assassins Inc. (1995) TV Episode (series consultant) - Out of the Hive (1995) TV Episode (series consultant) (uncredited)
"Father Dowling Mysteries" (1989) TV Series (executive story consultant) (unknown episodes, 1990-1991)... aka Father Dowling Investigates (UK)
Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde (1971) (composer: song "He'll Be There")
"The Avengers" (story editor) (26 episodes, 1965-1966) - Honey for the Prince (1966) TV Episode (story editor) - How to Succeed.... at Murder (1966) TV Episode (story editor) - A Sense of History (1966) TV Episode (story editor) - The House That Jack Built (1966) TV Episode (story editor) - What the Butler Saw (1966) TV Episode (story editor) (21 more)
"Ghost Squad" (1961) TV Series (story editor) (unknown episodes)... aka G.S.5 (UK: third season title)
Director:
Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter (1974) ... aka Kronos (USA) ... aka Vampire Castle
Self:
2000s
1990s
TV's 50 Greatest Stars (2006) (TV) .... Himself
We Were the Champions (2006) (V) .... Himself
This Man Is the One (2006) (V) .... Himself
Avenging the Avengers (2000) (V) .... Himself
The Blood Tide (1998) (V) .... Himself

En cuanto a los actores:

Horst Johnson, que aquí interpreta al caza vampiros Kronos, actuo en las siguientes peliculas:

Das Riesendard, 1961, dirigida por Géza von Radványi; escape from east Berlin, 1962, dirigida por Robert Siodmak; You Can`t Win`Em All, 1970, dirigida por Peter Collinson; La Guerra de Murphy ( Murphy`s War ), 1971, dirigida por Peter Yates; Shout at the Devil, 1976, dirigida por Peter R. Hunt.
John Cater, quién hace del profesor Hieronymos Grost, hizo las siguientes peliculas:

Decline and Fall... of a Birdwatcher, 1968, dirigida por John Krish;Lot, 1970, dirigida por Silvio Narizzano; El Abominable Dr. Phibes ( The Abominable Dr. Phibes ), 1971, dirigida por Robert Fuest; El Regreso del Dr. Phibes ( Dr. Phibes Rises Again ), 1972, dirigida por Robert Fuest.

A la actriz Caroline Munro, se la puede ver en las siguientes peliculas:

Fumo di Londra, 1966, dirigida por Alberto Sordi; El Abominable Dr. Phibes ( The Abominable Dr. Phibes ), 1971, dirigida por Robert Fuest; El Regreso del Dr. Phibes ( Dr. Phibes Rises Again ), 1972, dirigida por Robert Fuest; Dracula A.D. 1972, 1972, dirigida por Alan Gibson; La Espia que me Amo ( The Spy Who Loved Me ), 1977, dirigida por Lewis Gilbert; Maniac, 1980, dirigida por William Lustig.