Save Yourself, Kill Them All (Manhunter (DVD))

Member Name: lilmsnaughty79

Product:	Manhunter (DVD)
Date:	13/04/06 (327 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great Story and Atmosphere, Great Performances

Disadvantages: None

The Story
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The story of Hannibal Lecter is probably familiar to most people by now. Most people would also associate Anthony Hopkins with the role, and he has played it well. However, Hopkins was not the first to play the charming serial killer. That honour went to Brian Cox, an excellent and underused actor. The film is directed by the excellent Michael Mann, of Heat fame.

Manhunter is the first film of the first Lecter book "Red Dragon". It follows a serial killer known as the tooth fairy who preys on entire families, leaving very little evidence behind.

William Peterson, of recent CSI Las Vegas fame plays psychologist Will Graham who is persuaded out of retirement to help in the man hunt. He is the man who caught Lecter and he uses him to try and help him, but is Lecter really helping the investigation or the killer. Will he push Graham over the edge? Will the time run out for the next family?

Mann's portrayal of the killer is done with great tact, he is not portrayed as a mad man, although he obviously has problems. Mann creates empathy with the killer in the audience. He is shown to be a caring individual with great emotions. He is played excellently by Tom Noonan.

Special Features
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There are two documentaries on the DVD. There is a look into creating the atmosphere and feel of the film by the cinematographer.

There is also an excellent documentary that interviews key cast members including Brian Cox, William Peterson, Joan Allen and Tom Noonan. It runs for just over 17 minutes. It gives an insight into the casting and influences of the film. It goes beyond the film and into the mind of a serial killer. Micheal Mann does not appear, he must be shy, but the stars give their impressions of him.

There is also a photo gallery.

Conclusion
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This is my favourite of the Thomas Harris book adaptations, and also my favourite film by Michael Mann. It oozes with atmosphere and intensity from the very beginning. Peterson produces a tour de force performance, he gets into the part extremely well. Brian Cox's on screen time is very small as Lecter but he makes a big impact, he is so devious and yet so polite.

The soundtrack to the movie is also excellent, some might say too 80's. In fact entire film has a very 80's look about it. However, Mann has created such a good atmosphere that it doesn't really matter.

This is definitely in my top ten favourite films. It is far superior to the average Red Dragon.

Highly recommended.

Main Cast
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William L. Petersen - Will Graham
Kim Greist - Molly Graham
Joan Allen - Reba McClane
Brian Cox - Dr. Hannibal Lecter
Dennis Farina - Jack Crawford
Tom Noonan - Francis Dollarhyde
Stephen Lang - Freddy Lounds

Directed by : Michael Mann
Certificate 18
Running Time : 124 Minutes

Thanks for reading.

Summary: The Best Lector Film