Kronos (Hammer)

...but the novelization takes a lot of unnecessary liberties with the story. I don't see what was gained by changing Professor Grost's first name from "Hieronymus" to "Herbert", for instance, nor the purpose in changing the method of destroying the vampires, nor the completely altered character of Hagen Durward. The first-person narrative got a little confusing - not so much because of it being from different characters' points of view, but because there was in a few cases some chronological skips; and being told from the perspective of some relatively minor characters whose POV was, frankly, irrelevant, didn't help. Would probably have been improved by using the first-person for one or two characters and third-person for the rest. Still, it's worth a read, particularly if you're not looking for a strictly faithful translation from screen to print.

This is my second time reading this book and I have to say it was enjoyable this time also. What I liked was the different characters and how each of them told a piece of the story as it went along. Now it is basically what you will find I the movie, Captain Kronos, Vampire Hunter. But there is more to the book. I liked how the period that this story is set is during the reign of Cromwell in England and the start of The witch hunt of that period. Who knows maybe in a couple of years I will return to read of Kronos and his hunt for vampires, but right now I have to find my DVD of Captain Me know and watch it again.

I have just finished Kronos by Guy Adams - The official new adaptation of Brian Clements classic Hammer film. The novel takes the unusual route of having each chapter narrated by a different character which I found a little jarring at first, though it did grow on me. Adams' book sticks reasonably close to the plot of the film so there were few surprises but I found it an entertaining read all the same. The characters and relationship between Grost and Kronos are fleshed out a little more and some ideas that Clements couldn't realise in the film are included. The setting which was rather vague in the movie is firmly established as Cromwellian England, Kronos having apparently served in Ireland which I found a little strange, given his obviously Germanic accent. The revised time period and back story are all wrong and didn't sit well with me.I'm rather dubious about the merit of film tie-ins but being a Hammer adaptation I couldn't resist and I found this to be better than I had expected. It made me eager to revisit the original movie and yearn for what could have been had it been the resounding success it deserved to be.So I revisited the film Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter last night which has made me revaluate the new adaptation which doesn't actually come close to capturing the genius of this masterpiece which has the rare quality of actually getting better with each viewing. There is the suggestion for example that Kronos who has survived a vampires bite without being turned is locked in an inner battle with the curse. Something I had missed previously but so had Adams.

I am a big fan of Hammer's Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter. So I was hesitant when my friend gave me this book. However, it was true to the spirit of the original while updating the concepts present in the book and answering questions that had been overlooked in the film. I found it a very enriching read, given my fandom to the film. For anyone who is unfamiliar with the film I think that you will still enjoy this book. Don't go into looking for Dracula type vampires and scenarios though, you will be disappointed. For fans of the film, I can tell you this is a worthwhile purchase. I can't wait to read the other Hammer books out there.

"Captain Kronos -Vampire Hunter" is not one of the best known "Hammer "movies .It was barely released ,vanished into relative obscurity and became a movie which over the years acquires a cult status .In some ways this makes it a good candidate for novelization.Adams retains the setting and character names from the movie.It takes place in England during the post Civil War era of the Coommonwealth when the monarchy was replaced by a republic .( 1640's to 1660).The book also follows the plot of the movie closely."Kronos" ,a former soldier in Cromwell's New Model Army travels the country in a caravan hunting and despatching vampires.He is aided by "Hieronymous Groest" an erudite hunchback and the voluptuous gypsy "Carmen".They arrive at a small village where young girls are being drained of their blood and suspicion falls on the local landed gentry ,the "Durward " family.As a character "Kronos " has overtones of several mythological heroes such as Siegfried and of pulp fictional figures ,especially Robert E Howard's "Solomon Kane "He is also a dope smoker and prone to meditation and other new age practices ,thus reflecting the counter culture "mores" at the time the movie appeared.The book employs a multi narrator structure with each chapter being written from the perspective of its chief protagonist but Adams makes no attempt at a period style.The language is modern and colloquial which makes it a breezy ,easy to read book but one which feels slightly inconsequential .Its a fun book but not a major addition to the vampire sub genre

I will admit I went into this having never seen the movie. I liked it, but after I read it I watched the movie. It lowered my love of the book, but not by too much.