Search - Manhunter on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Violence, Graphic Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1986 DVD Release: 01/30/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Edition: Director's Cut,Restored/Remastered Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 2 Number of Discs: 2 Run Time: 2 hrs 4 mins Studio: Anchor Bay Members Wishing: 0 Genres: Thriller, Detective Film, Post-Noir (Modern Noir), Crime Thriller, Psychological Thriller See Also: Manhunter [Restored Director's Cut], Manhunter [Widescreen], Manhunter [Fullscreen], Manhunter

-Red Dragon, the Thomas Harris novel that introduced serial killer Hannibal Lecter to the world, was adapted for the screen by Michael Mann as Manhunter. Ace criminal profiler Will Graham (William Petersen) is very good at his job because he has the ability to make himself think like the killers he tracks. Will has been in retirement since catching Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter (Brian Cox), as being inside that particular deranged mind caused Will to have a breakdown. Will's boss Jack Crawford (Dennis Farina visits Will at his home, showing him pictures from a murder scene and asking for his help in catching a new killer they have dubbed "the Tooth Fairy" (Tom Noonan). In order to test his mental strength, Will visits Hannibal in his prison cell. Adding to the already substantial mental stress Will experiences when he returns to the job are nosy tabloid reporter Freddy Lounds (Stephen Lang), as well as Hannibal's attempts at seeking revenge through the Tooth Fairy. After two additional films that featured Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal) became box-office blockbusters, Manhunter was re-made as Red Dragon starring Hopkins and Edward Norton as Will Graham. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

William L. Petersen - Will Graham
Kim Greist - Molly Graham
Joan Allen - Reba
Brian Cox - Dr. Hannibal Lecktor
Dennis Farina - Jack Crawford

In anticipation of the much-hyped 2001 theatrical release of Hannibal, Anchor Bay has released this limited-edition, 100,000-pressed, two-disk DVD set of =Manhunter, the 1986 release that started the Hannibal Lecter legacy. Based on Thomas Harris' -Red Dragon, this prequel to Silence of the Lambs is a tense and entertaining movie in its own right, with the features of this DVD set arousing new interest in the thinking behind Manhunter. The first disk contains the theatrical version of the movie, as well as all the goodies: two featurettes, the full-length theatrical trailer, talent bios, and a THX Optimode that lets the user set up sound equipment and the video quality best suited for the movie. The second disc includes the director's cut of the film, with deleted scenes included. Both versions of the film are widescreen (2:35:1), enhanced for 16 X 9 TVs, and have 5.2 and 2.0 digital audio options. A 24-page collector's booklet includes photos from the film (many of scenes never used), transcripts from Special Agent William Graham's (William L. Petersen) scripted case file on the killer, a three-page manuscript about the film, and a one-page profile entitled "Meet Hannibal Lecter," cleverly packaged in a small folder marked "Confidential" in large, red letters. The format of the main menu features photos of the main characters (images of the original Lecter, Brian Cox, are haunting). The bios give details of the extensive careers of Cox, Petersen, "Tooth Fairy" killer Tom Noonan, and director Michael Mann. However, the real gems here are the featurettes, one hosted by Director of Photography Dante Spinotti, the other containing interviews with the lead actors. Spinotti's featurette gives the viewer a first-hand glance at Mann's stylistic use of color in the film, and his close attention to props, camera angles, and casting. While a bit long-winded at times, Spinotti offers special insight into the making of Manhunter. The second featurette, "Inside Manhunter," offers interview clippings about the film from Petersen, Noonan, Cox, and lead actress Joan Allen. All four heap laurels on Mann's talented directing of the film, and each offers inside stories of the film's production (though Noonan comes across somewhat haughty, refusing to interact with any characters that were "after him" during filming). Viewers also find out why the movie wasn't named -Red Dragon. In addition, viewers are shown the thought process behind the interaction between Lecter and Graham, the origins of Lecter, as well as who was originally cast for the part. While fanatics may be disappointed that there are only three minutes of extra footage in the director's cut, the inside information on Lecter's legacy featured in this DVD pays for itself. ~ Chris Tribbey, All Movie Guide