Released to box-office indifference in 1986, Manhunter introduced Hannibal Lecter and established the rules of the modern race to find serial killer thriller five years before The Silence of the Lambs packed cinemas everywhere. This was Michael Mann's third feature, reuniting William L Petersen and Dennis Farina from his debut Thief (1981) as FBI agents hunting the killer dubbed "The Tooth Fairy". Petersen's Will Graham is the man who put Lecktor (as it is spelt here) behind bars, and as in Lambs consults with the Doctor, played with understated malevolence by Brian... Cox. Manhunter is an exceptionally well-photographed film: Mann's regular cinematographer Dante Spinotti created sparse, elegantly framed, often mono-chromatically lit compositions which are essential to the shifting psychological moods. The performances are very good, and the typically 1980s, Vangelis-esque electronic score effectively sustains tension. Once the killer is introduced the scenes with Joan Allen have a genuinely unsettling, almost surreal quality. There is at least one serious plot flaw--how does "The Red Dragon" get his letter to Lecktor? Manhunter never packs the sheer excitement of Lambs, nevertheless, it is a powerful and compelling thriller which remains far superior to the third instalment in the series, Hannibal (2001). On the DVD: In addition to the trailer there is a revealing 10-minute conversation with Dante Spinotti in which he explains how he created the very distinctive look of Manhunter. Also included is a more general 17-minute retrospective "making-of" documentary. This is good but too short, the extras failing to live up to the wealth of material on the Lambs and Hannibal DVDs. The anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 image is generally very good, being just a little soft in one or two early scenes. The sound is listed as Dolby Digital 5.1, but appears to replicate the main stereo signal in the rear channels. Audio is none the less powerful and clear, though lacks the sheer edge and atmospherics of some more recent thrillers. --Gary S Dalkin [show more]
This original Manhunter movie is an atmospheric masterpiece.
It features the brilliant Brian Cox as Hannibal Lector and William Petersen as Will Graham.
It follows the Behavioural Science of the target serial killer and the procedures followed by the authorities and the various staff at their disposal to apprehend the culprit.
Early on it is established that the lead male is a family man,resposnsible and protective of his charges.
However it comes to the fore that the lead character is also uniquely talented as to be able to think like a serial killer.
The culprit in question is the Tooth Fairy,a particularly sadistic and psycotic character.
Petersen gives a performance of note since this was way before the CSI was even thought of,this movie conveys the essence of a good story.
The plot is laid out before you and the charcters slowly come together in a climax,it is violent and depictions of torture are prevalent.Character development is good and if there's anything else to say is that this film holds the quality of a Michael Mann production to a high standard.
10/10
This movie is not for the young or very young.
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