Manhunter or Red Dragon?

[DrGonzoLives]

I saw "Red Dragon" when it came out (I read the book back when "Silence of the Lambs" came out), and, since "Manhunter" has been getting play on Bravo recently, I sat down yesterday to watch it.

Frankly, in my mind, both films are pretty damn good. Both actors who play Dolarhyde (Tom Noonan and Ralph Fiennes) do a great job of playing a psychotic, yet somewhat conflicted character. I like the development of Dolarhyde in "Dragon," but Noonan just looks sooooooooo much creepier in "Manhunter."

I thought William Peterson played the brooding ex-agent Will Graham better than did Edward Norton, but since I like Norton, I can't completely brush him aside. And give me Dennis Farina over Harvey Keitel anyday; who the hell made that casting decision for "Dragon"?

I have to give an edge to "Manhunter" myself because of the mood. I don't know how they did it, but the mood is just so full of foreboding, it's brilliant. The ending for "Dragon," however, is a thousand times better. The ending of "Manhunter" was just a cheat. And, of course, Anthony Hopkins blows Brain Cox away as Lector, but, then again, I'm spoiled because I saw "Silence" first.

So, which of the two do you like, if you've seen both?

[stanwyck]

1. Definitely "Manhunter"

I've seen both and "Manhunter" is much better. I didn't find Fiennes' performance captured the character at all. I've also read the book. "Manhunter" has a much more interesting script; you follow the investigation and the creepy details of the killings build the tension. Also, living in Atlanta, I have an inclination for "Manhunter" since much of it was filmed here. You have to love a movie which uses the High Museum of Art as the prison for the criminally insane, Lector's home.

[mitchum]

2. "Manhunter"

"Red Dragon" is one of the worst films I have ever seen (and I didn't have very high expectations) Lecter is now just a ridiculous "evil genius". My friend and I were snickering throughout this travesty, but during the touching scene between Dollarhyde and the blind girl ("...but, you felt so good inside of me!") the snickers turned into guffaws.

[Spirochete]

3. I thought

they were both "just OK". I like Edward Norton, so I liked his guy better. Ralph Fiennes is not as scary as Tom Noonan. No Innagaddadavida in the final scenes in Red Dragon. I couldn't decide - I went with the moron/butt sniffing option.

[bocadem]

4. I voted for butt n/t

.

[Kamika]

5. Petersen shoudl have gotten an oscar

Seriously his portrayal in manhunter was really really good.

Whatever did he do after manhunter but before csi?

[DrGonzoLives]

6. He was in "The Contender"

He played the governor that the Illinois congressman wanted named vice president.

[Nailzberg]

8. Of course the Illinois pol wanted Petersen in

He's a Chicago boy.
(Actually I think he's from Lake county, but close enough.)

[TXlib]

7. Ooooooh, Shiny!

nt

[molly]

9. I've read Thomas Harris and fell in love with his books

I rented Manhunter and was very disappointed. Then the new "Red Dragon" came out and I would say that it is very close to the book - I loved it.

Ralph Fiennes does a much better job at portraying the victim of child abuse - IMHO. Also, how difficult it was to catch him based on how others viewed him.