Official Synopsis:
“Former FBI profiler Will Graham (William Petersen, To Live and Die in L.A., CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) reluctantly returns to his old job to track a horrific serial killer known as “The Tooth Fairy.” But in order to get into the mind of this maniac, Graham must face another: Hannibal Lecktor (Brian Cox, X-Men 2, RED), the imprisoned psychiatrist whose own insanity almost cost Graham his life… and whose insights into “The Tooth Fairy” could prove as dangerous as the killer himself.
Tom Noonan (Heat, RoboCop 2), Joan Allen (The Bourne Legacy), Dennis Farina (Get Shorty), Kim Greist (Brazil) and Stephen Lang (Avatar) co-star in this gripping thriller from director Michael Mann (Heat, Miami Vice) and adapted from the novel Red Dragon by Thomas Harris. Manhunter is one of the most unnerving serial killer movies ever made.”
Manhunter has the privilege of being the film introduction of one of the most iconic characters of all time, Hannibal Lecter (Spelled Lecktor in this film). Brian Cox embodies Hannibal as a terrifying psychopath who can enter your mind and manipulate you within seconds. Although he has very little screen-time, this is the character that defines the entire film. With less to work with than his successor, Cox is still able to bring Hannibal to life and shake the audience to their very core.
William Petersen’s portrayal of Will Graham is haunting in its own way. Playing a brilliant and tormented character who fears what he could become if he continues to walk this dark path, Petersen brings a rather subdued performance to the film. My biggest issue with the character is the lack of emotion he seems to show, and a certain numbness as he walks through these horrific crime scenes. Although this may be an intentional choice, it doesn’t seem to match with the character and the internal struggle he is going through.
Manhunter is a beautifully made film with a very clean and almost clinical look, along with a certain look of pureness to everything, giving it a sense of irony from a film about such horrors. Every look, every color has meaning. Michael Mann is known for controlling every aspect to his shots which is evident here. This stylized approach is what makes the film so enjoyable. The film also has some really interesting sets with sleek and clean architecture, a very 80’s feel to it. The downfall to all of this is that it also gives it a really dated look. If you already didn’t know what decade this film was made in, you’d instantly know by the Miami Vice feel that Michael Mann adopted after the show, which at times can be really distracting. If you can look beyond the horrible decor, clothing, and hairstyles, which may be harder than you think, Manhunter is a very enjoyable film that makes you appreciate every aspect of filmmaking.
With numerous incarnations of the tale of Hannibal Lecter and crew, it takes something really special to stand out from the crowd. Though Manhunter may be overlooked by many when it comes to the powerful presence of AFI’s ranked number one villain of all time, it still resonates as an important film and a beautifully directed and stylized piece by Michael Mann.
Video
Manhunter is presented in High-Definition Widescreen 2.35:1 1080p. The Theatrical version of the film is far superior than the Director’s Cut. The latter is presented in High-Definition with standard definition inserts, meaning that whenever a supplemental scene is shown, you are almost shocked at the difference in quality. Kudos to Scream Factory for giving the viewer the option of the Theatrical and Director’s Cut, and it is also great to see those added scenes where they should have been. If there was any possibility of cleaning those scenes up better than they were, it would have made the director’s cut more entertaining.
The Theatrical version suffers from grain issues here and there, but it is nothing major. Colors really pop, and coming from Michael Mann, color is almost a character in itself, so the importance of the color balance is vital.
Audio
The audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. There are no noticeable problems or defects with the audio. The soundtrack, although a bit dated as well, is really encompassing and sounds great. Levels are excellent and dialogue is crisp and clear without any bleed-over by surrounds.
Special Features
Manhunter comes with a great set of extras with new interviews with everyone involved. The actors give some really interesting information and anecdotes about the filming process, and Brian Cox tells the story of why he didn’t reprise his role as Hannibal in Silence of the Lambs. These are all definitely worth watching.
DISC 1: Theatrical Version (HD)
NEW The Mind Of Madness – An Interview With William Petersen
NEW Courting A Killer – An interview With Actress Joan Allen
NEW Francis Is Gone Forever – An Interview With Actor Tom Noonan
NEW The First Lecktor – An Interview With Actor Brian Cox
NEW The Eye Of The Storm – An Interview With Director Of Photography Dante Spinotti
NEW The Music Of MANHUNTER – Including Interviews With Composer Michel Rubini, Barry Andrews (Shriekback), Gary Putman (The Prime Movers), Rick Shaffer (The Reds) And Gene Stashuk (Red 7)
Theatrical Trailer
Still Gallery
DISC 2: Director’s Cut (HD With Standard Definition Inserts)
Audio Commentary By Writer/Director Michael Mann
Director’s Cut (Standard Definition)
The Manhunter Look – A Conversation With Cinematographer Dante Spinotti
Inside Manhunter With Stars William Petersen, Joan Allen, Brian Cox And Tom Noonan
Scream Factory gives Manhunter a well deserved treatment. A very different look and feel from the successors in the series, Manhunter stands alone in its style and is sure to entertain audiences today just as it did 30 years ago.
