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Former FBI profiler Will Graham (William Petersen) reluctantly returns to his old job to track a horrific serial killer known as "The Tooth Fairy." But in order to get into the mind of this maniac, Graham must face another: Hannibal Lecktor (Brian Cox), the imprisoned psychiatrist whose own insanity almost cost Graham his life… and whose insights into "The Tooth Fairy" could prove as dangerous as the killer himself...

Michael Mann's vision of Thomas Harris' novel is as close to the heart of the book as you could get. The complex plot is told from opposing views, based around Graham's pivotal role. Although the killer does not appear until almost halfway into the movie, we experience his viewpoint through Graham's intense investigation, leaving us with a disturbing feeling of voyeurism but also one of frustration as we sympathise with the police. Being caught in the middle in this way helps build tension and suspense throughout the film. William Peterson's performance as the troubled Will Graham is central to a film in which all the actors are excellent, not least Brian Cox delivering a first and chilling screen incarnation of Hannibal Lecter.

Mann evokes an atmosphere of horror by imaginatively using locations and photography to show the aftermath of the crimes, which also helps portray the world as perceived by Graham. He also works in a couple of startling set pieces to help bring the impact home. This is a truly suspenseful, stylish thriller, sadly overlooked since the Oscar-winning "The Silence of the Lambs". In many ways, this is a subtler and equally skilful film.

Director: Michael Mann
Cast: William Petersen, Kim Greist, Joan Allen, Brian Cox, Dennis Farina, Tom Noonan, Stephen Lang
Country: USA
Genre: Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Manhunter (1986) - Momentum Pictures Special Edition
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DVD9 + DVD5 | PAL 16:9 | 01:56:38 + 01:59:06 | 5.88 Gb + 4.13 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

DVD ONE: The Film (Theatrical Version)
• "The Manhunter Look" featurette (10:01)
• "Inside Manhunter" featurette (17:15)
• Theatrical Trailer (1:59)

DVD TWO: The Film (Director's Cut)
• Audio commentary by director/co-writer Michael Mann

Manhunter (1986) - Shout! Factory Collector's Edition
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2 x BD50 | 1080p AVC | 02:00:03 + 02:04:19 | 44 Gb + 45.5 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

Blu-Ray ONE: The Film (Theatrical Version)
• The Making of Manhunter includes:
-- The Mind of Madness: Interview with Actor William Petersen (1080p; 18:16)
-- Courting a Killer: Interview with Actor Joan Allen (1080p; 15:54)
-- Francis is Gone Forever: Interview with Actor Tom Noonan (1080p; 22:03)
-- The Eye of the Storm: Interview with Director of Photography Dante Spinotti (1080p; 35:56)
• The Music of Manhunter (1080p; 42:22) includes interviews with composer Michel Rubini and several others who contributed to the score
• The First Lecktor: An Interview with Brian Cox (1080p; 40:29)
• Theatrical Trailer (1080p; 2:05)
• Still Gallery (1080p; 8:28)

Blu-Ray TWO: The Film (Director's Cut)
• Commentary with Writer/Director Michael Mann
• Director's Cut (Standard Definition) (480i; 2:04:12)
• The Manhunter Look: A Conversation with Cinematographer Dante Spinotti (1080i; 10:04)
• Inside Manhunter (1080i; 17:17) features William Petersen, Joan Allen, Brian Cox and Tom Noonan