Return of the Red Dragon (Manhunter (DVD))

Member Name: utero

Product:	Manhunter (DVD)
Date:	05/10/01 (58 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great film, good transfer , decent book

Disadvantages: not the directors cut

1991 and Silence Of The Lambs is released, slowly etching it's way into success and classic territory. Yet the majority of audiences were unaware that a few years earlier Dr Hannibal Lecter had graced the screen in Manhunter, an adaptation of Thomas Harris' Red Dragon. In fact out of the three films to feature Hannibal purists say this is the best one.

The film has dated somewhat largely due to some of the synthesizer score and some very eighties visuals. But perhaps this is more due to the fact that the 80's were crap and the music just reminds us. Otherwise this is a very solid film filled with great performances, assured direction and style as well as some suspense and terror. In this film former detective Will Graham (William Petersen) is persuaded to return to the force to track down an elusive serial killer dubbed 'The Tooth fairy'. To do this he must face Hannibal Lecter (Brian Cox) and get into the mind of the killer. Only Lecter is the reason Graham is emotionally damaged.

Cox as Lecter is a different animal to Hopkins version and in some ways scarier because he comes across as smart but extremely normal. But all the while he is devious and gets inside your head. Petersen has always been a great actor who sadly hasn't got the success he deserves until now with hit TV show CSI. There is plenty more to this film but just watch it and discover for yourself.

The dvd has been released in R2 before on the BMG label but it was a very standard affair with little in the way of extras and poor presentation. But now the rights have been transferred to Momentum Pictures in the UK and they have produced a decent version.

The film is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. The film print is in good condition considering the age and budget. There is grain and occasional blemish as well as some soft spots but overall I was quite impressed. It's certainly an improvement over the original version.

Th
e sound has also been remixed into Dolby Digital 5.1. To be honest this doesn't add a lot to the film and it's mainly based at the front speakers with a slight use of the rears. Still not a bad effort considering the film's original mix format.

On the extras side there is a great deal but what you get compares with releases in other regions.

First up is 'Inside Manhunter'. This is an 18-minute featurette that contains up to date interviews with Petersen, Cox, Tom Noonan and Joan Allen. They talk about the film and how they cam to be in it. Cox looks a lot different from the film bedecked in shades and grey hair. He even comments on the way the papers made a big deal once they found out he played Lecter originally.

'The Manhunter Look' is a 10-minute interview with Cinematographer Dante Spinotti. He talks about how he worked on the film and what it was like as well as style. It's quite interesting for it's short time.

Also included are a trailer and a photo gallery that is made up of poster's for the film from around the world. Some credit must go to Momentum for actually enlisting the help of a Manhunter Fan website fro this material.

Not on the dvd but also included is a 64 page book inside the case entitled 'Michael Mann's Headgames'. Written by Ian Davies it is filled with info on the making of the film as well as the cinematic history of Lecter. There is also an interview with Cox as well as some writing on Mann himself. This is a great edition to the dvd and something more companies should think about doing.

This is a great film with good presentation that can be picked up for around £15 online. I certainly recommend it, some might moan that this isn't the director's cut but that only amounts to a few more minutes of footage and from what I hear the transfer quality of that edition is very poor.

Enjoy with liver and a nice wine or brains! <
br>

Summary: