MANHUNTER

US, 1986, 119 minutes, Colour.
William Petersen, Joan Allen, Brian Cox, Kim Greist, Dennis Farina, Tom Noonan, Stephen Lang.
Directed by Michael Mann.

Manhunter sounds a routine title for a popular police thriller or television series. However, this is a crime story that is well above average.

Writer-director Michael Mann has made some offbeat films, The Jericho Mile, Thief, The Keep. But he is also the man behind the popular Miami Vice. He brings these skills together in Manhunter.

The focus is on a former FBI agent, played by William Peterson (To Live And Die In LA). He has suffered psychological trauma after tracking and catching a mad mass murderer. He is asked to track down another killer.

The film works well as a character study of one man trying to penetrate the insane behaviour of another. It is also an effective police thriller. However, it is particularly interesting as a detection story, evidence, connections, discoveries.

Production is excellent and opts-for stylish and stylised sets and colour schemes as well as a meditative and brooding mood as we share the Manhunter's quest. There are some grim and violent sequences.

Hannibal Lecter re-appeared in the form of Anthony Hopkins in The Silence of the Lambs, then Hannibal, then a remake of Manhunter under its original title, Red Dragon.

1. Impact of the film as thriller? Crime detection?

2. The importance of style: wide screen, colour, light and shadow; compositions? Moods? Pace and editing? The importance of the visuals and sounds for meanings? The musical score, themes, ominous mood?

3. Atlanta locations, the American city, homes, ordinary life? Police precincts? Laboratories? The various cities?


4. The title and its focus on Graham? The original title of the novel 'Red Dragon' and its relationship to the murderer?

5. Michael Mann and his style? Sense of brooding, study in character, environment and character? Madness? The insanity of mass murder? The meditative style?

6. The prologue and the build-up to the killings? The audience seeing with the murderer's eyes - as does Will Graham? The situations, the families and their deaths? The enquiry? Information about the murderer, monthly murders and the moon? The need for discovery in time?

7. The portrait of Will Graham? On the shore talking with the police, his wife and son, domestic life, sharing with his wife, asking his wife about going? His decision to investigate? His being briefed, relationship with the police? His techniques of enquiry? The burden because of his past trauma and recovery? Going to the prison to interview the doctor? Psychological sparring with the doctor? Trying to understand the mentality of the killer? His previous trauma by strict identification with the killer? H-is being photographed with the reporter? Clash? Later using the paper and the photographs with the journalist? Graham's skill at detection, information, his continuously examining the material? The insane doctor and his codes and message? The set-up with the trapping of the jogger? Going to the houses of the victims and trying to see with the killer's eyes, going up into the tree? Hunches, fingerprints on the eyes? Visiting the murder rooms and understanding? His contact with his wife, the effect of the threats? Her continued support? The effect of the past on the new investigation? The final clues, the photography lead? Detection, confrontation, the final stalking and shooting? The finale and his return home? Portrait of and intelligent, clever, vulnerable man? The risk, saving people? The impact of the investigation on him?

8. The murderer and the victims, audience sympathy, the puzzle, introducing the killer to the audience, his mystical and exotic beliefs, belief in himself, the paraphernalia in his apartment, the contact with the psychotic doctor, the codes and the communication, admiration? His taking the journalist, disguised with the stocking, the interrogation of the journalist, setting him on fire? His relationship with the blind woman, their sexual encounter, his jealousy? His plans for the next family? The use of video? The build-up and the encounter with the girl? The final confrontation and his death? Audiences understanding the mind of the killer? Madness and obsessions? Psychological explanation?

9. Graham's wife and son, bonds between them, safety and support?

10. The insane doctor, his past, the suave interview with Graham, revenge, the use of codes for contact with the killer, his skill in getting Graham's home address? The explanation of his crimes and psychology?

11. The sketch of the police, their work, detection, investigations, laboratories and details, meetings? The final flight and attack?

12. The journalist and his intervention-in the past, taking photos, self-seeking, the photo with Graham, being taken by the killer, his abject fear, death?

13. Portrait of American society, sick aspects of society, criminal mentality? The need for detection and police protection? The responsibility for sick society?