Lecktor: Then by implication, you think that you are smarter than me, since you caught me.
Graham: No. I knew that I'm nor smarter than you are.
- Then how did you catch me, Will?
- You had disadvantages.
- What disadvantage?
- You're insane.
Manhunter (1986) is a striking and underappreciated piece of cinema.
While almost everyone has seen or at least heard of The Silence of the Lambs, this earlier adaptation of Red Dragon rarely gets the recognition it deserves. It may not feature a star with the iconic presence of Anthony Hopkins, but it more than holds its own in atmosphere, style, and storytelling.
I’ve seen it twice now. Once over a decade ago and it stayed with me all these years. Rewatching it recently only reinforced how surprising it is that the film remains so overlooked!
This was the first-ever film adaptation of Thomas Harris’s Red Dragon, introducing the character of Hannibal Lecter (spelled Lecktor in this version). If you enjoy thrillers like The Silence of the Lambs or Copycat, you’ll certainly appreciate this compelling predecessor.
One thing that sets Manhunter apart is that it avoids the typical trope where the protagonist is the only intelligent person in law enforcement, while everyone else is just a dummy. Although Will Graham is the protagonist, the rest of the investigative team is portrayed as competent and thoughtful.
And if you’re someone who enjoys films set before the rise of social media and the internet, Manhunter offers a fascinating glimpse into police work in that era. Because it was literally made in that pre-digital world, it naturally reflects how investigations were carried out without instant access to data and modern communication tools and technology.
Score: 9/10 (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)!
Rewatch worthy: Yes ✅
https://i.nostr.build/ZcsYBoEv5BFEPoat.heic

#film #cinema #filmstr #filmreview #movies