As we make our way to the Monster Bash Conference, where we, along with all the other attendees, will be celebrating Hammer Films with four lovely ladies that appeared in some of their films. Names like Caroline Munro, Martine Beswick, Victoria Vetri, and Pauline Peart, along with a few other interesting guests. You can get all the details by clicking HERE.

But recently, news came from Hammer headquarters that they are releasing a 5-disc special edition of their 1974 film Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter. What could possibly be on 5 discs for just 1 movie? Well, below are all the details, directly from Hammer’s website. But before we dive into those, I am thrilled to see Hammer taking the steps in getting fans 4K versions of their films, since with all the glorious color they immersed the movies in, it would only make sense. And it looks like there is plenty of extras, both old and new content, to keep any Hammer fan happy.

But there are 3 different versions of the film in this set, all of them the same except their aspect ratio. One is the 1.66:1 UK theatrical version, one the 1.37:1 “as filmed version”, and the 1.85:1 US theatrical version. Do we need 3 versions with just the aspect ratio being different? They haven’t released the price just yet, but I feel with a 5-disc release, with 2 out of the 5 discs being UHDs, I have a feeling this is going to take a hefty pound or two to purchase. I’m all for different variations, trust me. But it just seems a bit much.

Now, don’t get me wrong, if you’re anxious for this one to come out, I’m thrilled that it will exist. It just makes me wonder if that is going to happen with all their future releases. Or, if this one doesn’t sell well, will that cause other release ideas on the back burner? Maybe if they would have started with something like Curse of Frankenstein, that would get the ball rolling. But Captain Kronos? While I do love the film, it’s not one that most fans speak of when discussing Hammer.

Again, this isn’t complaining, but just a question to ponder. Depending on what the price will be, I will most likely add it to my collection. But if it’s a bit too high, which I have a feeling it will be, I’ll stick to my old Blu-Ray release for now.

Either way, the fact that Hammer is looking into re-releasing their films in UHD, that is a reason for all Hammer fans to rejoice!

Okay, here’s the details on the release:

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
The discs feature:

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
The booklet features:

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
The features, packaging and specification on this page are not final and are subject to change