Manhunter (1986)

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Directed by Michael Mann.

Starring Joan Allen, Dennis Farina, Kim Greist, William L. Petersen, Brian Cox.

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Red Dragon, the Thomas Harris novel that introduced serial killer Hannibal Lecter to the world, was adapted for the screen by Michael Mann as Manhunter. Ace criminal profiler Will Graham (William Petersen) is very good at his job because he has the ability to make himself think like the killers he tracks. Will has been in retirement since catching Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter (Brian Cox), as being inside that particular deranged mind caused Will to have a breakdown. Will's boss Jack Crawford (Dennis Farina visits Will at his home, showing him pictures from a murder scene and asking for his help in catching a new killer they have dubbed "the Tooth Fairy" (Tom Noonan). In order to test his mental strength, Will visits Hannibal in his prison cell. Adding to the already substantial mental stress Will experiences when he returns to the job are nosy tabloid reporter Freddy Lounds (Stephen Lang), as well as Hannibal's attempts at seeking revenge through the Tooth Fairy. After two additional films that featured Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal) became box-office blockbusters, Manhunter was re-made as Red Dragon starring Hopkins and Edward Norton as Will Graham. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

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Reviews and discussions

Manhunter (1986, USA, Michael M ...
by CinemaRian in CinemaRian Blog

hasn't rated it.

Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"Manhunter is only the second film I've seen by Michael Mann, the first was his biopic Ali, which even his die-hard fans admit is not one of his best works. I think that based on what I've seen, I'm not going to be one of his fans (which isn't going to stop me from seeing his other films, of course). I guess if you have a thing for this kind of "tough guy" movie (if you like Mann, you probably like Scorsese and vice versa), you'll love it, if not, it's a passable thriller. Based on the novel Red Dragon by Thomas Harris, which would later be filmed again by Brett Rattner, Manhunter stars the relativley unkown William L. Peterson as Will Graham, a retired FBI profiler who is called back into the fold when a new serial killer called The Tooth Fairy (Tom Noonan) is on the loose. Graham is in demand because of his unique talent to get inside the heads of those he profiles, but that comes at a great personal cost- he can't shake the evil feelings he gets, and spent some time in a menta ... " [More]

Re:Hannibal the Cannibal
by leeroy711 in Serialicious

is neutral about it.

"[quote user="mercurial"] Undoubtedly the most widespread and critically acclaimed serial killer movie is The Silence of the Lambs. The acting, direction, dialogue, cinematography, and nature of the characters all coalesce into a fantastically terrifying portrayal of madness (both beautiful - Hannibal, and perverse - Bill). Unfortunately I think the films that followed were rather haphazard and spoil a great character. Manhunter, which was the first filmic adaptation of Harris' Hannibal, wasn't the most profound movie but nonetheless established the character as one of the nastiest antagonists out there. The Silence of the Lambs followed and allowed for the predictable sequels. Hannibal had its moments of gory goofiness but ultimately wasn't anything special. Red Dragon moved the franchise into a different direction and was interesting, but something seemed to be missing. Lastly Hannibal Rising, a prequel following the birth of the man, is intriguing in its execution and beautifu ... " [More]

Hannibal the Cannibal
by mercurial in Serialicious

is neutral about it.

"Undoubtedly the most widespread and critically acclaimed serial killer movie is The Silence of the Lambs. The acting, direction, dialogue, cinematography, and nature of the characters all coalesce into a fantastically terrifying portrayal of madness (both beautiful - Hannibal, and perverse - Bill). Unfortunately I think the films that followed were rather haphazard and spoil a great character. Manhunter, which was the first filmic adaptation of Harris' Hannibal, wasn't the most profound movie but nonetheless established the character as one of the nastiest antagonists out there. The Silence of the Lambs followed and allowed for the predictable sequels. Hannibal had its moments of gory goofiness but ultimately wasn't anything special. Red Dragon moved the franchise into a different direction and was interesting, but something seemed to be missing. Lastly Hannibal Rising, a prequel following the birth of the man, is intriguing in its execution and beautifully filmed yet lacks that ... " [More]

Re:What movie character best re ...
by El_Aaron in if i were a movie character

loved it.

"If there was a character which represented me, it would be Francis Dollarhyde, played by Tom Noonan, in Manhunter. Not because he kills innocent families, but because he kicks ass with that shotgun in the climax! I also reckons Randall (Jeff Anderson) from Clerks suits me coz I'm a major slacker! Finally, like many fellow spouts here, Travis Bickle, Robert De Niro, from Taxi Driver because this world is so fuckin' insane! " [More]

Which Ones Scare Me
by El_Aaron in Real Horror

loved it.

"First of all, I wanna say sorry for my freakin' long absence but I'm back now! Now onto the big stuff. I think what scares me about horror movies is when you have an extremely suspensful scene, like in I Am Legend. Also, I get scared when a particular scene makes me jump out of my seat, and I got a few of those in Salem's Lot. Lastly, I think the most important scare copmes from the villiian of the tale. I think the scariest are from Halloween, Hellraiser, Manhunter, Silence Of The Lambs, The Hills Have Eyes, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Anyone agree? " [More]

Re:Top 31 Horror films of the p ...
by Puhnner in HORROR MOVIES 101

liked it.

"Revised List of 31 from 76 through07Mommie Dearest and Red Dawn co-winners of No. 1and wished I could have included:1988 Blood Orgy of the Leather Girls ( have not seen it, but the title is terrific and I cannot find it here ) 1976 Man on the Roof1976 The Sentinel1977 Suspiria 1978 I spit on your Grave 1987 Near Dark 1988 Rabid Grannies ( have not seen )1988 Brain Damage 31. 1988 The Blob 30. 1978 Halloween 29. 1986 Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer 28. 1986 Vamp 27. 1976 The Omen 26. 1979 The Brood 25. 1985 Lifeforce 24. 2001 Frailty 23. 2002 28 Days Later 22. 1990 Jacob’s Ladder 21. 1995 Se7en 20. 1986 Manhunter 19. 1987 Angel Heart 18. 1995 The Addiction17. 1997 Office Killer 16. ... " [More]

Great Hannibal movie!
by El_Aaron in El_Aaron Blog

loved it.

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"In many ways it is superior to Silence of the Lambs, in my opinion! Unfortunately, it is very underrated and unseen! " [More]

Summer of 86: A Tribute
by lbenschwartz in lbenschwartz Blog

liked it.

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"What’s the date? May 18th. The summer blockbuster season must be upon us. As an avid moviegoer from the age of 5, I have almost a biohoroscopic feel in my well worn behind that tells me I should be sitting in a movie theater seat, shoving popcorn and cherry coke into my face. Each year, that rush of anticipation and ultimate disappointment rushes through me like the sun rays telling my body to start perspiring like a pig. But, having just been the least useful partner in the birth of a child, I know that those trips to the multiplex will be fleeting this season. Already weeks into this, and I’ve yet to see Spiderman 3 and Shrek 3 – although I hear I’m not missing much.In my contemplative state I turn to the one summer, where that pang of excitment that comes every May first started. I’m talking about the summer of 1986. If summer means anything, it means action, and 1986 delivered more action frame by frame than any other summer before or since. Taken ... " [More]

Re: Hannibal Lecter vs Norman B ...
by Dr_Gor in HORROR MOVIES 101

liked it.

"Thank You, Mr. Puhnner, for your input! It is a real pleasure to have you in this group! However, I must disagree with you on this one... I HAVE seen "Manhunter" more than once and it is, in fact, part of my collection... I enjoyed this movie immensly! BUT, I found ANTHONY HOPKINS performance to be The ULTIMATE! He is the consumate actor and he portrays a 'psychopath' better than anyone! (except, maybe, Anthony Perkins!)... have you seen "The Edge" or "Instinct" ? I DO agree with you in that i liked the original "Cape Fear" over the remake... Robert Mitchum vs. Gregory Peck (!) are you kidding me? I just cannot believe that this movie did not receive a much wider audience and publicity! Please keep your input coming, Puhnner... that is what this group thrives on... Thank You ... < GOR > " [More]

Re: Hannibal Lecter vs Norman B ...
by Puhnner in HORROR MOVIES 101

liked it.

"Off the subject a bit and call me a heretic, but I always enjoyed Brian Cox as 'Hannibal Lecter' (in Michael Mann's Manhunter ; in fact, I enjoyed this film much more so than Red Dragon), much more than Sir Anthony Hopkins, whose performance seemed to peak for me in the Silence of the Lambs and descend further and further into Sir Anthony playing Hopkins playing Hannibal playing Sir Anthony as the series progressed ( maybe, blame it on the Director instead of Hopkins ). I also found Manhunter much more effective than Red Dragon; and Hannibal only so much fetid bilgewater under the bridge ( hell, even the book stunk ). Brian Cox seemed more real person than the 'super hero' that Lecter became ( I have not seen Hannibal Rising ), similar to Mitchum' Max Cady in Cape Fear compared to De Niro's Cady in Cape Fear.There, I have said it, but it remains only my opinion and subject to the same lack of insight with which all my opinions are formed and proffered.. " [More]

Review by All Movie Guide

All Movie Guide

liked it.

Manhunter is a visually assured psychological thriller. Michael Mann builds tension through color, framing, editing, and sound with such skill that his actors can underplay their emotions. This mix is unusual, but it works superbly. Although the characters in this film engage in extraordinary activities, the low-key performances make them seem like real human beings. Manhunter succeeds at making the viewer feel the consequences of chasing serial killers for a living. William Petersen wears a haunted look that elicits sympathy, as well as a touch of fear, in the audience. Like Christopher Walken in The Dead Zone, Petersen does a spectacular job of physicalizing the toll his mental condition is taking on him. We sense his tenuous grasp on mental stability thanks in part to Brian Cox's terrifying portrayal of Hannibal Lecter. The Lecter in Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal wishes for nothing more than comfort. His animosity is directed at those who inflict unpleasantness on him (or Clarice), characters always portrayed as unlikable people anyway. The Lecter of Manhunter has an enemy. Will has caught him, and Lecter hates him for it. Now the pure intelligent evil of Lecter is directed at someone the audience cares about, and we constantly fear for Will's safety because of it. Manhunter is an underrated film that deserves to stand alongside Seven and its younger sibling, Silence of the Lambs, as benchmarks of the serial killer genre. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Tags: lecter , thriller , murders , prequel , murderer
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