Manhunter (1986)

Written by Thomas Harris, Michael Mann

Directed by Michael Mann

Running Time: 119 minutes (approx)

Production Year: 1986

Rating: 18 Certificate

Production Country: USA

Filmed in Colour

First of the film versions of Thomas Harris's novels featuring the dastardly Dr Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter (or Lecktor as he is here), Michael Mann's 1986 movie is arguably the best of the bunch. If you can ignore its dated feel (it's understandably heavily rooted in the 1980s), it's a tremendous mad whirl of a psycho-chiller, perhaps too slick and glossy at times but with less emphasis on blood and gore than the re-make and sequels.

The film follows former FBI agent Will Graham (William Petersen) as he's brought out of retirement by Jack Crawford (Dennis Farina) to track down the Tooth Fairy (Tom Noonan, pictured), a serial killer who appears to select his victims at random.

To get his teeth firmly into the case, Graham has to enlist help from Lecktor - his most deadly adversary who he put behind bars - and a psychological battle ensues. As Lecktor, played strongly here by Brian Cox, indulges in mind games with Graham, the clock ticks away for the FBI man, and the murderer lines up more victims...

Re-made as Red Dragon in 2002, this under-rated original is well worth watching.

Click to see when Manhunter is coming up on TV.

Cast

	William Petersen		Will Graham
	Kim Greist		Molly Graham
	Joan Allen		Reba McClane
	Brian Cox		Dr. Hannibal Lecktor
	Dennis Farina		Jack Crawford
	Tom Noonan		Francis Dollarhyde
	Stephen Lang		Freddy Lounds
	David Seaman		Kevin Graham
	Benjamin Hendrickson		Dr. Frederick Chilton
	Michael Talbott		Geehan
	Dan Butler		Jimmy Price
	Michele Shay		Beverly Katz
	Robin Moseley		Sarah
	Paul Perri		Dr. Sidney Bloom
	Patricia Charbonneau		Mrs. Sherman