With 'Red Dragon' nearing completion, and Sir Tony reprising his famous role, what better opportunity to spotlight the initial screen depiction of Thomas Harris's excellent novel, Michael Mann's 'Manhunter'. Tragically under-rated and over-looked since the Oscar-winning arrival of 'Silence of the Lambs', and very different in tone to both 'Silence' and 'Hannibal', 'Manhunter' is the original and defining work of this somewhat disjointed trilogy.
The De Laurentis company, seemingly undeterred by the luke-warm reception received by 'Hannibal', have managed to assemble an incredible cast for 'Red
Apart from the slight question mark against the director's name, 'Red Dragon' is bound to benefit from both a superb cast and vastly superior subject matter to the ill-fated 'Hannibal'. Unlike the despicable shot-for-shot remake of Hitchcock's Psycho, (The epitome of all evil), 'Red Dragon' does, at least offer us something different, the chance to see Hopkins' Lector caged, once more behind the famous glass screen, screenwriter Ted Tally's take on the novel, which is bound to be of interest. Rumour also has it that the first five minutes of 'Red Dragon' flashback to Graham's capture of Lector (ponytail and all), not shown in 'Manhunter'.
MANHUNTER (1986)
Directed by: Michael Mann. Starring: William Peterson, Brian Cox, Francis Noonan, Dennis Farina, Joan Allen.
A stunning opening sequence follows FBI head Jack Crawford's attempt to persuade Will Graham (Peterson) to return to duty from voluntary retirement to assist in the capture of serial killer, nicknamed 'The Tooth Fairy'. Graham's ability to get inside the criminal mind had made him the FBIs top profiler and led to the famous capture of Lektor, but also deep depression and near mental breakdown as he struggled with his experiences. With the aid of Hannibal Lektor's double-edged advice, Graham must now go head-to-head with the killer, and locate him before he kills again.
'Manhunter', provides us the first glimpse of one cinema's most enigmatic characters. Although the role of Harris's charismatic anti-hero was claimed by Hopkins five years later, the original screen embodiment of 'Hannibal the Cannibal', (Lektor in this case) was the highly proficient Brian Cox. Cox's chilling portrayal of Lektor is a definite highlight, fiercely intense, and infinitely more menacing than Hopkins' ghoulish interpretation. Peterson is superb in the central role of Will Graham, and Francis Noonan is outstanding as 'the tooth fairy', competently showing the human side of the character as well as his psychopathic tendencies. Noonan took method acting to new levels during filming, refusing to mix with or even meet any other member of the cast until the cameras were rolling.
Michael Mann and cinematographer Dante Spinotti's visionary approach to the material make this a unique psychological thriller. Mann's creative use of colour, light and architecture are a feast for the senses. Lingering shots of blood-soaked crime scenes, and Graham's intense recounting of the killer's thoughts create an genuine air of mysticism around the killer, who doesn't appear until halfway through the film. Mann's use of Iron Butterfly's 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida' as the haunting musical background to the killer's murderous rage is also inspired. 'Manhunter' does look a bit 'Miami Vice' in places and the synthesized score sounds severely dated but, hey, this was 1986.
ON THE DVD:
Poster Gallery
Two Documentaries, 'The Manhunter Look' and 'Inside Manhunter'
Trailer
Sam Groombridge
samgroombridge@hotmail.com
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