Review of Manhunter (1986) by Jay L — 21 Aug 2012

"Hannibal Lector's legacy of evil starts here.".

The world was introduced to pure and unspeakable evil in Manhunter, its a dark, atmospheric, dysphoric and utterly disturbing film from start to finish. Manhunter was the first big screen adaptation of the chilling Thomas Harris novel, its the film that introduced the cinematic world to Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lector. Acclaimed Director and also one of my personal favorites, Michael Mann (Thief, The Insider, Last Of The Mohicans, Heat, Public Enemies) helmed this film early in his career. Its most definately a chillingly intense and darkly atmospheric adaptation, it would later be remade into a feature film that would boast the same name as the novel itself "Red Dragon". Michael Mann and company did a spectacular job of adapting the novel to the big screen. Its a psychologically brain churning endeaver that divea deep into the mind with its dark toned music, snappy and wickedly clever storyline and dialogue, two thumbs up for Michael Mann and company. I personally enjoyed Red Dragon a little better, but thats not to say that this film is an inferior film. Manhunters is a wonderful origin story for Hannibal "The Cannibal" Leckter.

The acting in the film is wonderful throughout with performances from William Peterson who gives a quality and absorbing leading performance. Tom Noonan and Dennis Farina are great, the cast was put together quite well and worked great with one another. Brian Cox gave a great pre-Anthony Hopkins performance as the incarcerated Hannibal Leckter. Wonderful work all around, great film.