Manhunter (1986)
AKA: Red Dragon: The Curse of Hannibal Lecter
Year: 1986
Directed by: Michael Mann
Starring: William Petersen (Will Graham), Tom Noonan (Francis Dollarhyde), Brian Cox (Hannibal Lecter), Joan Allen (Reba McClane), Dennis Farina (Jack Crawford)
Country: United States
Language: English (English Subtitles)
Runtime: 02:00:04
Genres: Detective-Mystery, Psychological Thrillers,
Serial Killers
Plot – Spoilers:
Manhunter, the first adaptation of Red Dragon, was panned at the time of its release in 1986 but has since found a certain appreciation, mostly for Michael Mann’s style. Personally, prefer the 2002 version for its performances by Edward Norton and Anthony Hopkins. Having said that, those two would tower over pretty much anybody and so Manhunter needs to be given its due for its era and superior style.
Based on the Thomas Harris book, ‘Red Dragon’, the first in his Hannibal Lecter series, Manhunter follows Will Graham, an ex-FBI dude who is renowned for nailing Dr Hannibal Lecter, a cannibalistic serial killer. The capture wasn’t straightforward and Will was attacked by Lecter, leading to his early retirement and relocation to an undisclosed beach house.
Will settles into his mundane existence with wife and kid but is approached by the FBI to help with a series of killings that appear related to lunar cycles. Will who’s been idling away, jumps at the opportunity to discard his family guy garb and plunges into the investigation, only to get drawn deeper than he ever signed up for.
HANNIBAL LECTER SERIES:
1. Hannibal Rising
2.1 Manhunter (1986 Red Dragon version)
2.2 Red Dragon (2002)
3. The Silence of the Lambs
4. Hannibal
I think this version is the best of all of Lecter. The cast and camera work, and cinematography are better and the actors are better. In Anthony Hopkins’ movies, everybody is likable. Tom Noonan is plain scary and Joah Allen excels. Just my taste, I guess.
I was actually scared of the dark for a week after watching this movie sometime back in the early nineties. Graham’s realisation that Dollarhyde knew of the families by having seen the home movies made the hair stand up on the back of my neck
this pisses all over red dragon – and has the definitive lecter
Not up to the other films in this series; but an excellent movie all the same! Once it gets rolling it moves well, and you get drawn into the investigation real smoothly! I like the ending where Will Graham goes through the window! It is the rush of, you are needed and your duty is before you; and you throw yourself into the fight!… Thanks Effedup!… Doc Blake
Thanks for sharing, I wanted to watch this movie and I found it. Thanks again!
but thanks for sharing anyway , pretty good stuff. Don´t get me wrong was expecting the uncut version, cant find it any where but in horrible VHS
There is no way this is NOT the uncut version , its not even close to be it.
This movie is EFFED UP because it didn’t include Graham’s visit to the family who were next on the murder list.
This scene was crucial.