Manhunter (1986)

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Years before The Silence of the Lambs came out, Michael Mann directed this stylish adaptation of Thomas Harris’ book “Red Dragon.” Here is one of those movies that I think many people have missed or overlooked in recent years. I have been a fan since first seeing it as a teenager. I loved Mann’s Miami Vice and Crime Story series at the time. I almost recommended this years ago, but the streaming services always cropped the beautiful cinemascope aspect ratio to 16:9. You need to see this in the extra wide 2.35:1 or it loses a lot of it’s charm. The headline here is, this is a kick ass crime thriller that is dripping with ‘80s style, and loaded with awesome actors. It is easily Tom Noonan’s best role. Yes, Manhunter is a little different than the book. If you want a closer adaptation, watch Red Dragon (2002). I didn’t care for it as much, but it’s worth seeing. The thing that sets this version apart is the awesome soundtrack and score. I own it on vinyl, and still listen to an extended music blog version regularly. The Shriekback song “This Big Hush” is the standout. It’s a damn shame they didn’t record an entire album like that. There are definitely some cheesy bits in this film, it was 1986 after all, so don’t expect perfection. Just experience it with your psychoactive substance of choice, and try to enjoy the trip.

Only a crappy Blu-ray is available domestically as part of a “Hannibal Lecter” set.

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