For many people,Silence of the Lambswas their first exposure to Hannibal Lecter. The creation of author Thomas Harris was portrayed brilliantly by Sir Anthony Hopkins. Hannibal Lecter represented a different type of villain. Thepsychiatrist turned sociopathic cannibalhad an undeniable charisma, not to mention a level of intelligence that made him smarter than his adversaries and pursuers. Other adaptations based on Harris' books have followed since, with varying levels of quality and success. However, beforeSilence of the Lambswas even put into production, Hannibal Lecter was brought to life inManhunterby way ofBrian Cox.
The popularity of Hannibal Lecter has persisted for years, but Cox’s portrayal remains the most unnerving. Based on Harris' novel,Red Dragon, which was later adapted with Hopkins reprising his role as Lecter,Manhunterpossesses a subdued performance from Cox that adds to Lecter’s calculating nature.Manhunterpossesses an incredible amount of style and suspense, and because the film restrains itself when it needs to, a mystique exists around all that draws the audience in.
The Hunter and the Hunted
The suspense of a criminal on the loose and the pursuit to catch them before they strike their next quarry has always captivated audiences.Manhunterfollows former FBI agent Will Graham (William Petersen), who’s brought back in at the behest of his old boss, Jack Crawford (Dennis Farina). A serial killer, referred to as the “Tooth Fairy” (Tom Noonan) has wiped out two families, and few clues, if any, remain. An aspect that makesManhunterunique is that it focuses a large amount of detail on the science of criminal profiling and deduction.
Between home video footage of the families as they once were, the aftermath of the crime scene, and Graham utilizing his skills to determine what occurred in between heightens the suspense as the case slowly unravels. Profiling, a scientific practice that involves analyzing crime scenes to uncover certain traits of different serial killers, has been critical in solving several cases.FBI agent John Douglas' multiple interviewswith serial killer Edmund Kemper helped build the foundations for this criminal science.This fascinating aspect of deduction through profiling can be seen inManhunterbetween Graham and Lecter.
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A Meeting of Opposites
Audiences who remember Hannibal Lecter’s first meeting with Clarice Starling inSilence of the Lambsare familiar with the naive young FBI trainee and the criminal behind the glass cage. The cell block and its darkly lit atmosphere resembled a medieval dungeon.The meeting between Graham and Lecter inManhunter, just as memorable, is akin to a chess game between two adversaries who are familiar with one another’s strategies. The blinding white cell in which their conversation takes place mimics the aura of a hospital room, with doctor and patient thoroughly engaged with one another.The interaction between Graham and Lecter epitomizes the struggle between good and evil.
Brian Cox, while having very little screen time inManhunter, weaves a complex mystique about Hannibal as a character. Within the first few exchanges of dialogue between Graham and Lecter, the audience is made privy to their shared history and Lecter’s ability to use his training as a psychiatrist to gain a psychological edge over his adversary. Showing little in the way of emotion and staring down Graham,Cox creates an aura that doesn’t need to rely on exaggeration to strike an unsettling feeling in the audience.
In comparison to the adaptation ofRed Dragonthat came out later with Hopkins reprising his role as Lecter and Edward Norton Jr. portraying Graham,Manhunterhas a much stronger cast. Petersen is completely believable as an intensely driven investigator whose obsession is all-consuming.Red Dragonrelies far too heavily on having the viewer be familiar withSilence of the Lambsand the need to capitalize on its success hinders its overall effectiveness.
Manhunteris able to craft a narrative that’s far more immersive in the case and its developments. Cox in a supporting function is far more intriguing despite the limited screen time. Even the shared history between Graham and Lecter is much better executed inManhunterthan inRed Dragon.The simplicity of Graham recounting his capture of Lecter to his son in a grocery store encourages the audience to use their imagination, as opposed to the opening sequence inRed Dragonthat recounts it visually.
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A Series of Diminishing Returns
Cox’s performance in Manhunter, and the same can be said aboutHopkins' inSilence of the Lambs,is effective in crafting an aura of mystique surrounding Hannibal Lecter.Some of the greatest aspects of horror are what you don’t know or see rather than what you do. Multiple adaptations of Harris' source material that have occurred since can best be described as diminishing returns. A character such as Hannibal Lecter is one whose strength exists in what an audience doesn’t know about him. Revealing too much and filling the gaps that are best left to the imagination lessens the mystique and quality of the character.
Manhunterdepicts the cold and calculating nature that the real monsters who live among us possess. Cox brings the character of Hannibal Lecter into a world that appears more based in reality, leaving the audience drawn to true evil and manipulation. Brian Cox might not be the most well-known actor to portray Hannibal Lecter, but he’s simply the best, and truly the most unnerving.
