Manhunter
1986 Directed by Michael Mann
Synopsis
Enter the mind of a serial killer... you may never come back.
FBI Agent Will Graham, who retired after catching Hannibal Leckter, returns to duty to engage in a risky cat-and-mouse game with Leckter to capture a new killer. This film is based on the novel "Red Dragon" and predates all the later films with Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter (which also spells Lecters name correctly).
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I have never been a fan of Michael Mann and I guess that is the reason I put off watching this film for so long. And while I still don't like him as a filmmaker, this film mainly works because of him and the way he allows Brian Cox to portray and explore one of the most intriguing fictional serial killers ever conceived.
Mann's shot composition and deliberately slow pacing work really well in allowing the film's plot and characters come to life. It is a dark and twisted tale, very faithful to Harris' excellent novel, that takes its time to tell a story and tell it well. In and of itself that usually doesn't warrant a high rating for…
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On one hand I'm ashamed that it's taken me so long to watch Manhunter but on the other hand I'm glad I haven't seen it til now so I can fully appreciate it's pacing, music and cinematography. It's honestly one of the best looking films I've seen in a long while.
Tom Noonan was fantastic and chilling.
I find it interesting that I was reminded of a recent film that embodied the 1980s and, as you've probably guessed it, that movie is Drive. I know there's some people who didn't care for it but you can't deny it didn't have that certain style. Although I don't want to draw attention away from the masterpiece Michael Mann has given us in the form of an adaptation. This blows Red Dragon out of the water.
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I randomly caught this on TV a moment ago and was hooked from the opening scene. Manhunter is a highly intelligent thriller from Michael Mann's early years and quite possibly my favourite in his entire filmography now, even beating out the fantastic Heat. The suspense that is built up in this movie had me on the edge of my seat. A lot of this is actually to be thanked to the incredible soundtrack, which has definite 80s vibes due to the heavy synth use, a favourite of mine and something I seriously miss in movies these days.
The performances range from solid to exceptional, especially William Petersen, who may have delivered his best performance to date with this. Brian Cox,…
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Crime Mystery, William Petersen, Brian Cox, Dennis Farina
A detective that has had a break down from a prior case is brought back to find a serial killer.
I first watched this in the late 90's I wasn't the film geek that I am now so at the time I didn't even notice this was a Michael Mann movie. I was just excited to find out there was something before Silence of the Lambs.
A little dated but still a great movie. Manhunter might be a little slow for some but I find it interesting to watch a detective climb into the mind of a criminal and hunt him down. William Petersen does this in his character as he tries…
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The original Hannibal Lecter (spelt Leckter) film, and Michael Mann's breakthrough. Remade in 2002 under the name of Thomas Harris' novel Red Dragon, both stay faithful to the novel but this adaption is less technically extravagant due to a much more modest budget and Mann's still ripe filmmaking style. Visually it is more neo-noir than an action thriller. This is also the start of a still ongoing collaboration between Mann and cinematographer Dante Spinotti, together they incorporate a tinted and shadowy atmosphere that effectively reflects the progressively darkening story and the crumbling mindsets of the characters.
The story chronicles the return of FBI criminal profiler Will Graham who had abruptly retired after a traumatic result to his search for the…
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Despite of never have read the book "Red Dragon", that's the third different adaptation I've seen of it, being the other two, Brett Ratner's Red Dragon and the new NBC show Hannibal.
The first thing I feel I must talk about this movie is Hannibal. It's unfair to compare Brian Cox's Dr. Lecter with Anthony Hopkins or even Mads Mikkelsen ones, because he barelly got any screen time in Manhunter and I felt that without my previous knowledge of the character I wouldn't pay much attention to him, that's the biggest flaw, in a lack of a better word, of this movie, because Hannibal Lecter is by the far the most interesting element of the"franchise".
I must say that Red…
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ending's still weak, and petersen overdoes it, but a great cast, and a million times better than RED DRAGON.
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A flawed but entertaining introduction to the Lecter saga, Michael Mann's almost clinical procedural fails as often as it succeeds. Will Graham is the central character, and his portrayal is a little too cool, missing the broken character of the book. The film bizarrely shifts to focus on Dollarhyde, leaving Graham for a chunk of the film, and setting up his relationship with a deaf colleague with terrible instincts when it comes to men. The ending is too pat, and Dollarhyde's character is too thin, but where the film succeeds is in setting up mood and tone. I will say that I was thrilled to learn this was considered obscenely '80s even during the '80s.
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A slow-paced, beautifully shot procedural that shows early glimpses of Mann's flashiness. It's just as creepy as The Silence of the Lambs and just as in depth as Zodiac. Feels very reminiscent of these films even though it's precedent to the two.
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Drenched in an eighties neon light that after a while becomes quite grating,Michael Mann's "Manhunter" is a cold and calculated take on Thomas Harris's bestseller.
Featuring a Brian Cox portrayal of Harris's most elaborate of characters ,a certain Dr Hannibal Lecktor, Cox's take is chilling and skips the pantomime villain aspect that Anthony Hopkins would bring to the part some five years later. While "Silence Of The Lambs" would properly announce the arrival of "Hannibal" this small role is often perceived to be the quintessential Dr Lecktor.
William Petersen however successful he became playing a certain Las Vegas CSI,is an actor with little range. Here he gives his all but never fully convinces as the cerebral FBI profiler. Unfortunately you… -
Love 80's Mann. Everything works for me in this film. Didn't realize that Dante Spinotti was the cinematographer on this and the 2002 remake RED DRAGON.
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My favorite Michal Mann by a longshot. Brian Cox is the best Hannibal Lecktor, second maybe only too (and time will tell) Mads Mikkelsen in the HANNIBAL tv series. William Peterson is so freaking cool as Will Graham and the photography, pacing, and style of this movie. Everything is Mann, everything is the best of 80's cinema. And it's a brilliant mystery with Tom Noon as the perfectly cast "Tooth Fairy." I could sling more homonyms at this movie and all be accurate but be increasing less coherent. Just watch it.
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A masterpiece.
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Well, the soundtrack is just hilarious. There were a few scenes that I just couldn't take seriously due to the music. That's the only reason why I don't rate it higher. Both Tom Noonan and Brian Cox deliver great performances.
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(There's no comparison coming. This is being seen as its own film)
So there's the film from the mid 80's called Manhunter. It had horrendous marketing and it was quickly forgotten. But what it also had, was just honest to gosh darned greatness hidden away!
A very methodical piece, Manhunter is something that maybe doesn't work without the atmosphere. Sure, it's got some great performances (Noonan especially, just creepy as shit!) but the tone of the thoughtful lookout into the ocean and of the landscapes surrounding Graham as he has to dive deep into the psyche of a killer tells it just as well as any character could, if not better.
Graham is forced to enter the mind of a…