Manhunter (1986)
Genre: Thriller / Crime
Duration: 120 minuten / 124 minuten (director's cut)
Alternative titles: Red Dragon / Red Dragon: The Curse of Hannibal Lecter / Manhunter: The Pursuit of Hannibal Lecter
Country:
United States
Directed by: Michael Mann
Stars: William Petersen, Kim Greist and Brian Cox
IMDb score:
7,2 (86.650)
Releasedate: 14 August 1986
Manhunter plot
"It's just you and me now, sport…"
The serial killer 'The Tooth Fairy' slaughters entire families. Reluctantly, retired expert Will Graham returns to the FBI to help catch this deadly killer. At his wits' end, he enlists the help of Dr. Hannibal Lecktor, a psychopath who has been put behind bars by Will Graham himself.
Actors and actresses
Will Graham
Jack Crawford
Francis Dollarhyde
Reba McClane
Dr. Hannibal Lecktor
Molly Graham
Freddy Lounds
Zeller
Geehan
Jimmy Price
Reviews & comments
tbouwh
-
- 5764 messages
- 5267 votes
Michael Mann's Manhunter (1986) was a logical must-see after I already saw the Hannibal classic (The Silence of the Lambs) and Manhunter's twin brother (Red Dragon) at an earlier stage. This film is based on the same story as Red Dragon, and largely follows the same storyline. However, there are also a number of differences: for example, Red Dragon represents events that in Manhunter are only told retrospectively (Lektor attacking and injuring Graham or not told at all (the alternate ending of Red Dragon) In addition, Manhunter enjoys the blessing of a nice 80s atmosphere and, not unimportantly, Anthony Hopkins is for once not the widely feared cannibalistic protagonist.
Manhunter is especially strong spherically. The use of music and score creates a beautiful sultry atmosphere, which I recognized positively from Collateral (2004). It is well done by Mann, because the plot course could count on fewer surprises. As far as I'm concerned, Red Dragon still had a number of tight climaxes, while in Manhunter it mainly remains with building tension. Of course it also plays a role in this context that the most important plot developments were already part of my ready knowledge.
Cox is a very nice Lektor, but still doesn't come close to the magic that Hopkins would show five years later. I found the Graham of Manhunter strong; as in Red Dragon, the lone detective's obsessive quest caught my attention more than the tragic story of the Tooth Fairy.
Manhunter was fun to watch and especially the direction could count on memorable plus points. Looking back, however, I find this film slightly less strong than the re-make from the zeroes (that I would say that about a film...)
A solid 3.5*
Fisico (moderator films)
-
- 10009 messages
- 5398 votes
I also saw Red Dragon first before looking at Manhunter yesterday. I was surprised - I watched the movie with little background information - that this movie had a lot of similar scenes to Red Dragon. Only the ending is a bit different.
The atmosphere drips from the screen. Together with the music, the feeling and tension is heightened where the real action is left out. dr. Lecktor (another spelling) isn't featured much, but I wasn't really blown away by his rendition. Is this due to Hopkins and am I subconsciously comparing it to this mythical figure that HE portrays or is the role Brian Cox on its own substandard anyway? I'm not sure.
I also found the relationship with the blind woman and the role of the sewer journalist to be less than adequate and less elaborated here.
I also thought Fiennes came into his own better as Tooth Fairy than the actor in Manhunter. So I rate Red Dragon just a little higher. It was also better finished and just a little more appealing to the viewer. In terms of odds, I put them both on the same level because Manhunter is the original with the original concept.
Bobbejaantje
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- 2114 messages
- 1974 votes
An average serial killer story at first sight, but thanks to Michael Mann's class it is - I think - lifted to a level that captivates in all its facets. Not much happens in itself, but Mann manages to build up the tension with a nice climax towards the end. It's nice how the serial killer/detective identities are played with. Good and evil are ends of the same spectrum as befits a good (neo) noir.
The film has a typical eighties electronic score and I actually love that anyway. Although there is also other music involved. Iron Butterfly's psychedelic In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (dating from 1968) plays a key role in the finale. Coincidentally, I have this on vinyl. Henceforth I will have to think about this movie when playing it. Thank you Michael Mann
Pre- and sequels
Hannibal Rising
2007
3 comments
Red Dragon
2002
2 comments
Hannibal
2001
3 comments
The Silence of the Lambs
1991
3 comments
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