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William L. Petersen, Kim Greist, Joan Allen, Brian Cox, Dennis Farina ... see more see more... , Tom Noonan , David Allen Brooks , Dan Butler , Joanne Camp , Dawn Carmen , Patricia Charbonneau , Chris Elliott , Frankie Faison , David Fitzsimmons , Benjamin Hendrickson , Kristin Holby , Robin Moseley , John Posey , Michael D. Roberts , David Seaman Jr. , Michele Shay , Kin Shriner , Bill Smitrovich , Norman Snow , Michael Talbott , Robin Trapp , Peter Maloney , Paul Perri , Bryant Arrants , Christopher Arrants , Garcelle Beauvais , Robert A. Burton , Hannah Cacciano , Cynthia Chvatal , Chris Cianciolo , Bill Cwikowski , Ron Fitzgerald , Lindse Fonora , Jason Frair , Steve Hogan , Greg Kelly , Ryan Langhorne , Mickey Lloyd , David Meeks , Sherman Michaels , Alex Neil , Mickey Pugh , Dennis Quick , Lisa Ryall , Daniel T. Snow , King White , Lisa Winters , Jim Zubiena , Gary Chavaras , Ken Colquitt , Bonnie Timmermann , Stephen Lang

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 Pete... read more read more...rsen) 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, Rovi

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70% liked it

49,978 ratings

Critics

94% liked it

33 critics

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Michael Mann

Release Date: August 15, 1986

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DVD Release Date: January 30, 2001

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Stats: 2,200 reviews

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Manhunter Manhunter Manhunter (1986) Will Graham Manhunter Hannibal Lector Kim Greist Manhunter Tooth Fairy Hannibal Lector Manhunter
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Flixster Reviews (2,200)

  • pier007
    April 15, 2012
    pier007
    William Petersen carries the film with a brave and ambivalent portrayal of a disturbed detective obsessed with the psychopath he must catch . Mann's atmospheric storytelling helps to feel the heat, anguish and horror in the minds of the duellists. The sinister Tom Noonan is the ... read morecounterpart of the deadly game,
  • cosmo313
    October 16, 2011
    cosmo313
    This is the first film adaptation of one of Thomas Harris's Hannibal novels, as well as the only one (so far) to have a remake. This version of Red Dragon strays quite far from the source material, and even changes character names to Lektor and Dollarhyde, but as a police procedu... read moreral and a tense psychological thriller/killer film, it is absolutely wonderful.

    Brett Ratner's Red Dragon followed the book far closer, and had a lot of good things about it, but let's be honest, it just feels very warmed over unremarkable. Plus, Mann is a far better director, hands down.

    That's what really makes this film work. For those who don't know the plot: Will Graham is a retired FBI profiler who reluctantly gets back into the game to help hunt down an emerging killer known as the "Tooth Fairy". In order to get inside his head and get a better grasp on the man Graham seeks the aid of another serial killer named Hannibal Lektor, a man Graham had previously captured and almost lost his life in the process.

    This is a really gripping and absorbing thriller that is intelligently written, wonderfully acted, and brilliantly shot, scored, and directed. The film gives a finely observed portrait of the forensic investigation process, and the emotional and psychological toll it can take. I love how the film is also very subtle and patient, heightening the tension and suspense, and causing a continually lingering feeling of unease.

    All of this of course comes through with the things I mentioned above. I'm not really big on synth based music (barrign a few exceptions), but it fits perfectly here, despite somewhat dating the film. The use of Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" is absolutely brilliant and ranks as one of the two best uses of it in popular culture. Frequent Mann collaborator Dante Spinotti once again does an excellent job with the cinematography with some excellent uses of light, framing, and angles to heighten the mood and themes.

    You should really give this film a chance. It's a tightly plotted and engaging thriller with brains and a high level of artistic competantcy. Willima Petersen gives a great performance as the determined and haunted Graham, Tom Noonan is very creepy and chilling as the "Tooth Fairy" Francis Dollarhyde, Dennis Farina puts in good work as Graham's superior Jack Crawford, Stephen Lang is effectively scuzzy as a mangy tabloid journalist, and Brian Cox does a fanatastic and nicely nuanced and subtle job of playing Lektor. It's a more grounded performance than the one Anthony Hopkins would later give, but it's just as chilling if not more so.

    Again, give this a shot. It's some tremendous stuff and a great reminder of why, even though he's gone a bit downhill as of late, Michael Mann is one of the best and most important directors of the past 50 years.
  • fb619846742
    August 11, 2010
    fb619846742
    Gripping story concerning a retired FBI agent (William L. Peterson) who is brought back for that dreaded "one last case", in which he is responsible for tracking down a psychotic serial killer (Tom Noonan) who specializes in murdering entire families. While flawed and sometimes f... read moreeeling formulaic and manipulative, this film has got some style and terrific acting involved. Peterson's convincing turn as a man on a mission drives this movie, with outstanding support from Noonan (who is just downright creepy) and Brian Cox (playing an effective, less haunting version of Hannibal Lector). While the ending goes a little over-the-top, this movie has a lot going for it, including some ridiculous scenes (watch out for Stephen Lang in a wheelchair) as well as some nice stylistic shots.
  • 76Majikat
    July 7, 2010
    76Majikat
    In most remake cases I would agree with the majority of people and say that originals are quite often the better version, this is one case I disagree and did much prefer the remake ?Red Dragon?.

    Whilst a am a big fan of Brian Cox, there?s no doubt that Anthony Hopkins made thi... read mores character his own and had seemed a much deeper character.

    The film was interesting in comparison, but had a real corny 80?s feel to it, from the music to some of the acting (why do the 80?s seem the most dated era sometimes?).

    Whilst most of the dialogue and scenes were very much alike, there was very little eerie about this version and didn?t have the good ending as it?s remake.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    June 8, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    I am a big fan of the film Red Dragon, I thought it was a great adaptation of an amazing book. But Manhunter is an even more intense film and is very much darker than Red Dragon. The film has a certain tone to it that makes you feel very, very uneasy. The atmosphere is dark, surr... read moreeal and nightmarish. Michael Mann (Heat, Collateral, Public Enemies) directs this film and his vision offers something special to this film. Manhunter is a very intense, shocking and thrilling film. It's the type of film that will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. A great cast compliments this strong film and make the film what it is. A darker more intense film than Red Dragon, Manhunter is one of a kind with intriguing twists and turns into madness, violence and death. Manhunter is the beginning of one of the most infamous villains in cinematic history. A suspense filled Horror Thriller, Manhunter is a unique viewing experience and is one of Michael Mann's best films.
  • ythelastman89
    January 25, 2010
    ythelastman89
    I've never been a fan of this interpretation of Red Dragon, it just doesn't feel anything like it should. The tone was completely wrong. Brian Cox was good as Hannibal, but it wasn't enough to save the movie. William Peterson was incredibly stale and highly unrelatable. Michael M... read moreann just really didn't seem to be trying here at all.
  • flixsterman
    December 3, 2009
    flixsterman
    Silence of the Lambs Lyte - Terrific thriller with a somewhat less menacing Hannibal Lecter.
  • matertenebraum
    June 10, 2009
    matertenebraum
    How many times have we heard "The film isn't as good as the book"? Let's face it. What film IS?! Red Dragon was a masterpiece and so is Manhunter.

    To appreciate that there are two issues. Firstly, the film was created in 1986. It's stylised and looks slightly dated. The soundtra... read moreck is excellent but again very 1980's. Secondly, Red Dragon was not an easy book to write a screenplay for. There is way too much information that made the book so enthralling to squeeze in to 2 hours.

    The cinematography, in particular the clever use of light and colours, is breathtaking. The choice of locations was also very deliberate. The scene where Will is running out of the building after speaking to Hannibal Lecter. They chose a building with a long spiral ramp down. The ramp is white, clinical. Running down the ramp is like those dreams where the bad man is chasing you and you can't get away. Will runs his heart out but doesn't get very far.

    I agree that Cox plays a different Lecter but then the book wasn't about Lecter. There was some mention made but Lecter in this film is very much a Cameo appearance. The way in which Will goes about catching the killer is every bit as clever as Starling's methods, if not more so. In addition, we are treated to the thoughts, the inner monologue, the frustration and triumph of a hunter.

    Make no mistake, if you expect an up-to-date movie as good in every respect as the book, you'll be disappointed. If you're sensible and expect nothing more than 2 hours quality entertainment you'll enjoy this one.
  • DrBenway
    May 13, 2009
    DrBenway
    This being my personal favorite of the entire franchise, with Silence of The Lambs as a close second. Mostly because I watched this about a year or so before Silence was released in theaters. I knew I was in for a great thriller from the opening scene.

    A solid and very ente... read morertaining cat-and-mouse that is enhanced by director Michael Mann's stylized visuals, which are reminiscent of the TV show MIAMI VICE that Mann executive produced.William Petersen's character Will Graham is played flawlessly. Cinematography is top notch and Brian Cox as Hannibal adds so much mystery making him even scarier. I've not been able to look at Tom Noonan the same ever since.
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  • FilmFanatik
    August 17, 2008
    FilmFanatik
    The best adaptation of any Thomas Harris novel.

View All Manhunter Reviews

Critic Reviews

David Edelstein
February 7, 2007
David Edelstein, Slate

Manhunter ushered in the age of empathy for the devil. Full Review

Pat Graham
February 7, 2007
Pat Graham, Chicago Reader

I'm intrigued by that stylistic envelope: simultaneously hypnotic and enervating, meditative and empty. Full Review

Walter Goodman
August 30, 2004
Walter Goodman, New York Times

The movie drives along with such intensity for much of the time that you can just let it work on your senses without worrying about whether it makes sense. Full Review

Michael Speier
February 13, 2001
Michael Speier, Variety

An unpleasantly gripping thriller that rubs one's nose in a sick criminal mentality for two hours. Full Review

Amber Wilkinson
October 4, 2011
Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film

Cox's Hannibal is a masterclass in moderation. Full Review

Tim Brayton
June 11, 2009
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

At the very worst an intriguing misfire, and often much better than that. Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
July 23, 2007
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

Eminently worthy and stylish. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

One of the most impressive American thrillers of the late '80s. Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
October 9, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com

While Manhunter is absorbing and sometimes tense, it's unfortunate that Mann dedided to direct the film with the stylistic overkill of his Miami Vice.

Rich Cline
April 5, 2005
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

gripping and creepy

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Facts

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    • Francis Dollarhyde: You owe me awe!
    • Will Graham: I know I'm not smarter than you.
    • Dr. Hannibal Lecktor: Then how did you catch me?
    • Will Graham: You had disadvatages.
    • Dr. Hannibal Lecktor: What disadvantages?
    • Will Graham: You're insane.
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Manhunter Trivia

  • Because the role was so emotionally exhausting, William Petersen did everything he could to 'rid' himself of the character he played, including shaving his beard and cutting and dying his hair blonde. Which character and movie was it?  Answer »
  • The movie Red Dragon,the prequel to Silence of the Lambs is a remake of what movie and what actor played the role of Will Graham?  Answer »
  • The movie Red Dragon is a remake of an older film called Manhunter?  Answer »
  • Which of these 2 movies is based on the same book?  Answer »
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