Rent Manhunter (1986)

Absolutely Brilliant - Manhunter review by GI

One of the sharpest and most stylish crime thrillers you'd ever wish to see. This is one of director Michael Mann's best films and there's a fine selection to choose from. Based on Thomas Mann's novel Red Dragon (later remade by Brett Ratner following the success of 1991's The Silence of The Lambs) this is the first film to feature Hannibal Lecktor (spelt like this in Manhunter) and here played by Brian Cox, in a very sleazy and creepy performance. The story is a fairly basic psychopath/serial killer narrative where two entire families have been ritualistically murdered and, at a loss, the FBI turns to former agent Will Graham (William Petersen) to help them find the killer. Graham has the ability to get into the mindset of the killer, an ability that almost cost him his sanity in a previous case involving Lecktor. This is where this film stands out above similar films. The clever editing and visual shots evoke a gradual clarity as Graham begins to puzzle out who the killer is. In a departure from genre convention we the viewer get to know who the killer is quite early on and it's then that Mann's theme of two men, on opposite sides, but who are very similar centre the film's plot. (This theme can be seen in many of Mann's films, 1995's Heat being a classic example). The best scenes are when Graham visits the horrific crime scenes and Mann intercuts with flashbacks of the killer arriving to commit the murders. The use of bright colour and a thumping soundtrack where the musical beats follow the action are all Mann trademarks and highlight this film as something totally different from the usual fare. This is a mini masterpiece and if you've not seen this then I highly recommend it.

BLU RAY NOT DIRECTORS CUT - Manhunter review by LM

As per title, the Blu-Ray is not the directors cut, no commentary either. Waste of rental..............

Based on the novel RED DRAGON but with a different ending, this is an effective horrific thriller - Manhunter review by PV

I have read RED DRAGON, the 1982 novel by Thomas Harris, the first appearance of Hannibal Lecter (Leckter in the novel). Many claim Brian Cox's performance in his 3 brief scenes as HL are better than Anthony Hopkins in the next novel Silence of the Lambs. WHAT ROT! Cox is passable but the hints of a Scots accent are annoying to me.

The first half is great and loyal to the novel/. Of course there is not much backstory of the life of Francis D which in the novel make the reader have real sympathy with him - one effective scene here covers that.

The second half cuts out lots of flights and stuff with the William Blake painting (in the novel Francis D visits a New York museum and gets a private appointment, knocks out the female staff member then eats the DRAGON WITH WOMAN drawing). The film rightly focuses on the visual, the home movies aspect.

but boy do the actors mumble! I had to rewind more than once to understand what was said and something did not even then. Maybe use subtitles.

The ending is extended in the novel, like the false ending in the SILENCE OF THE LAMBS film. Both work, book and film - the latter has to cut the flab and make it a mano a mano battle. But I think the end weakens it somewhat as does the not-very-good theme tune, though the synth music throughout is great.

So 4 stars. Almost 5 but not quite. I shall now rewatch the later film RED DRAGON to compare.