Manhunter Blu-ray Review

• 23rd Sep 2011

Michael Mann’s mid 80’s adaptation of the Harris’ novel Red Dragon is still pretty gripping stuff. I remember first re-viewing this film in the 90’s and thinking it was awfully dated looking, but the synth score in particular these days only adds to the films charm. What keeps it modern looking is Mann’s direction and the lens work from Dante Spinotti.

Will Graham (William Peterson) is retired, but pulled back on duty by his old FBI boss Jack Crawford (Dennis Farina) to help track down a serial killer known as the Tooth Fairy (Tom Noonan). Instead of just watching Will do a bit of investigating, Mann likes to get right inside the minds of his protagonists, and also the antagonist it seems. We spend a heck of a lot of time with the bad guy, not merely watching him plot evil things (Although the date at home in front of the video with his new girlfriend is truly chilling). There is a strong effort to show us how warped minds work on both sides of the law.

There are great performances from all of the cast which also includes names like Joan Allen, Stephen Lang and of course Brian Cox as the original screen Hannibal Lecter.

Some great extras are pulled over from the DVD special edition including a half hour making of and publicity material. There is a decent yak track from Mann, but there is also the Director’s Cut version of the film as well.

The director’s cut sadly does not seem to have been given the High-Def treatment. Flipping between the two versions it is all too apparent. This obviously makes the theatrical version the one of choice and the DC as a decent extra.

Steven Hurst