Classic Movie Picks: ‘Manhunter’ Is A Stylistic, Heart-Pounding Caper & A First Look at Lecter

Once again, this week’s “Classic Pick” was inspired by a recent episode of “Nite Lite.” Monday night’s question of the night was “What Was Your Favorite Serial Killer Movie?” Although not my favorite genre, there are many spine-tingling films about horrible multiple killings, including this week’s “Classic Pick” which is Michael Mann’s “Manhunter.” 

The film opens after the discovery of a gruesome crime involving an entire family. The killer strikes once a month, so the FBI puts things into high gear hoping to prevent another grizzly crime. William Peterson plays FBI profiler Will Graham, the man responsible for catching Hannibal Lecter. When we meet Graham, he is still recovering from the emotional scars suffered after taking Lecter down. Graham is contacted by his former FBI superior Jack Crawford, played by Dennis Farina, who at first insists he only wants to use Graham to analyze evidence. Graham gets pulled deeper and deeper into the case and puts himself in harm’s way which affects his family.

But part of what makes Will Graham so brilliant at his job, is his obsession like commitment to it.

“Manhunter” is expertly directed by the legendary Michael Mann, a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate whose films have drawn 12 Oscar nominations. Mann’s resume includes films like “Thief,” “Heat,” “Last of the Mohicans,” “Collateral” and “The Insider.”

In addition to Peterson and Farina, three-time Oscar nominee Joan Allen is also part of the cast in what was only her second role on the big screen. In addition to this trio of great Chicago stage actors, Brian Cox plays Hannibal Lecter, the first time we’ve seen the character onscreen, and about five years before Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal in the “Silence of the Lambs.” It’s hard to compare the two as “Silence of the Lambs” brought Hopkins an Oscar for Best Actor but in my opinion, despite less screen time, Brian Cox was far creepier, especially in a hypnotic scene with William Peterson, where Will Graham picks his adversaries Lecter’s brain about the man he’s tracking known as “the Tooth Fairy.” Mann said Cox’s portrayal of Lecter was so good he was tempted to give him more screen time, but resisted the urge saying, “It was better to leave the audience wanting more.”

The studio wanted Don Johnson to play the role of Graham. Johnson had worked with Mann on “Miami Vice,” but Mann wanted Peterson, who he had worked with previously on “Thief.” 

“Manhunter” is on the American Film Institute’s list of the Top 100 Most Heart-Pounding American Movies. Despite having a big Hollywood budget, the production couldn’t get permission to film a scene on a commercial airplane. So Mann booked his cast and crew onto a red-eye flight from Chicago to Florida where the production was relocating anyway. Lighting and sound equipment was taken on board as carry-on luggage, as well as a stripped-down camera package. Mann shot the scene guerrilla style during the flight. Pilots and flight attendants let it happen and looked the other way, but we’re lavished with set gifts. 

Editor’s note: For more movie and entertainment talk, join Pete Schwaba weeknights from 6 p.m. to 8 p .m. for “Nite Lite” on the Civic Media radio network.