Review of Manhunter (1986) by Daniel S — 25 Jan 2008

Based on Thomas Harris' "Red Dragon", this one beats the later adaption with Evard Norton and Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter by miles - and with much more economic means, for instance, he does not even try to squeeze in the the complex elaboration of the villain's childhood, which in the recent version is done in a halfbaked sort of way.

But there are also some high-quality Mann-trademarks to note: First, Mann's truly personal cinematic language and mastery of moods - often with the help of popular music. Especially complete and bottomless loneliness, which drips off of the reels.

But also the inner struggle and desperation of Will Graham, portraid by a Peterson (which kind of disappeared after this one, to reappear in CSI 2 decades later). To my astonishment, Hopkins is not missed.

Cox's interpretation is at least as good - more outright nasty and sarcastic, which actually fits the portrayal in the book better. The witty, ingenious version is not developed until Clarice Starling enters the scene in Silence of the Lambs.

.. Also, the "toothfairy" (the villain) has so much more of tragedy and (again) desperation around him. The only complaint you may have is that Mann stresses tragedy so much that some of the thriller tension is lost, but that goes for the book as well.