Rating: 
Summary: The first, arguably the best
Review: Michael Mann's major mistake in his making of this film was to change the name. How Red Dragon became Manhunter will be one of the great mysteries of all time. Mann did, though, write a creditable script and select a fine cast. What is, for me, the most significant aspect of the film is Brian Cox as Hannibal. Cox is a long-term, well-established member of the British theater community--a splendid actor (who often plays American in bash-em-up/shoot-em-up/blow-em-up US films). His scenes with FBI man Petersen (who has gone on to CSI fame, and deservedly so) are creepy and chilling. What Anthony Hopkins tries to accomplish with his over-the-top performances, Cox accomplishes in only a matter of minutes: the personification of brilliant malevolence. Hannibal is, after all, a shrink. And Cox uses the character's background to perfection in worming his way into Petersen's sensitivities to undermine the man.There are some genuinely frightening scenes; there are also some stylistic touches that do a disservice to the overall effect. At moments the film looks like Miami Vice: too stylized, too primary-colored, too soundtracked. That said, though, of all the films of Thomas Harris books (discounting Black Sunday) this is the one that hits closest to the heart of what Harris actually wrote. See this, if for nothing else, for Brian Cox's goosebump-raising performance.
Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Noo
Review: I do not agree with many of the reviews of this movie. Sure it may be ok for a low budget film but it still isnt good. The movie follows the book Red Dragon very nicely but that isnt a good thing. Sure Red Dragon was a great book but this movie is like listening to the book Red Dragon on an audio tape. It is just too boring. They needed to focus more on Francis Dollarhyde and less on the FBI agents. If they had focused on Dollarhyde and showed the reasons for why he is the way he is and shown what Dollarhyde feels and the ways he thinks hes becoming the Red Dragon this would have been a much better film. One important part that happened in the book that this films lacks is the scene where Dollarhyde feels he is loosing the fight to the Dragon and lossing his mind and goes to the museum and eats the picture. This is a very important part of the book and shows how Dollarhyde wants to change. Then the ending of this movie kills it. The new movie Red Dragon at least some what followed the true ending of the book. The ending of this is made up and is very dull. This was definatly not a huge film but I expected so much more from it.
Rating:
Summary: The FIRST Lecter movie.
Review: I can understand why this movie is under-rated. The fact is, that it was made in the 80's before the major movie "The Silence of the Lambs" came out, making Hannibal Lecter famous. So, when we look back now and see a movie with Lecter in it, and see that it is not Hopkins playing him, or that it isnt made as well as the newer Lecter movies, most people under rate it.
But if you look past all that bull, this is a really good movie. "Manhunter" is based on Harris's "Red Dragon", the first book in the Lecter Trillogy. The movie follows the novel semi well, taking a few turns that are unexpected away from the book. But other than a few parts, the movie is a great suspense flick.
Even though the new movie "Red Dragon" is out with Hopkins as Lecter and Norton as Will Graham, you shouldn't pass this one up. If anything, watch them both. Don't expect incredible acting, because the actors in this flick are far from awesome, but not so bad that you can't even sit through the whole movie. This is a fun movie that despite its age, will keep you on your toes.
Although I give this a good review, I would pass on buying it and leave it as a rent.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Thriller no one saw.
Review: First of all, this is far better than 'Red Dragon,' the 2001 remake of this film. Credit goes to Michael Man and William Petersen. Petersen's Will Graham is a much more damaged soul than the world realizes, and he is far underappreciate for his ability to convey intense emotion in the subtlest way. He also nicely handles the fragile line that separates the Lecter's from the rest of the world, and how close we all are to becoming Lecter's. Mann is one of the best at conveying the poetry of urban life. While this isn't as typical of his style, he does manage to turn some ordinary places into terrific visuals. This films Dollarhyde is also far more frightening. When the climax reveals his identity, it chills you to realize how 'normal' he is. This film really does seem to work better for the story than the remake. It's not a big-budget story, but definitely fares better for those who like for films to engage their minds.
Rating: 
Summary: Sylized, superior
Review: An elegant, beautifully controlled film, with a superlative cast. The recent RED DRAGON was interesting, but Mann's film is stronger. Take the time to search out the Special Edition, which includes both original and director's cuts, commentaries and a host of extras.
Rating:
Summary: Better novel adaptation
Review: I read the book "Red Dragon", many yeras ago, when I saw the movie (the recent one) I noticed that the novel was very "adapted" as a prequel for "silence of the lambs", I Found here in Amazon.com the first version "manhunter", and I was nicely surprised about an excellent novel adaptation and a very good thriller with a limited budget, I have to say the tooth fairy in manhunter is scarier than Ralph Fiennes in RD , the only complaint is the cable that pulls the cop who got shot at the end scenes, but Its a very well done thriller surpasing the new version. highly recommended
Rating:
Summary: Prequal Silence of the Lambs Meets Miami Vice.
Review: This film was made several years before SILENCE OF THE LAMB. The central character is not Hannibal Lector, but Will Graham (portrayed brilliantly by William Petersen); a FBI agent lured out of retirement to work on a special serial killer case. The film is tainted by the decade in which it was made (late 1980s). However, the film also feels like an episode of "Miami Vice" on speed which adds to the cat and mouse plot of the movie. The acting is better than average and the movie contains a rocking soundtrack. Nevertheless, Michael Mann seems more impressed with lighting and sound than he did with plot development and the film suffers as a result of it; often times instead of adding th the texture of the film, the lighting detracts. Overall, a decent murder detective movie with some really good acting and not too much gore.
Rating:
Summary: a superb film sadly neglected
Review: Manhunter is a brilliant adaptation of Thomas Harris' first Hannibal Lecter thriller. The direction is superb, giving an eeries sense of menace throughout, the performances are first-rate (Peterson's brooding FBI agent, Noonan's menacing killer, Cox's predatory Lecter which is far superior to Hopkins' (the scene where he finds out Will Graham's address is a chilling example of his dangerous intelligence)), and the music is excellent. Too bad, then, that the DVD does not give the full director's cut as shown on Showtime back in the '80s. There are some extra scenes to be sure, but it is missing bits here and there, including a crucial scene at the end, which brings the film to a really satisfying conclusion. The limited edition director's cut DVD apparently has all this, but the transfer is poor, so any fan of the film gets short-changed either way. There is also no commentary from director Michael Mann, another reason which prevents me from giving this a full five stars. ARGH! Friedkin's Sorcerer was similarly neglected. Who are the idiots responsible for the mishandlings of these releases?
Rating:
Summary: Dissapointing
Review: I recently saw Red Dragon and i am in the middle of the book and i decided to rent Manhunter to see if it was better or similar to Red Dragon. Manhunter didn't stand a chance. I also thought the person who played as Hannibal was almost like he was in a school play. Anthony Hopkins if so much better as Hannibal. Also the guy who played as Francis Dolarhyde "red dragon" was too normal and sane. But Ray Feinnes was brilliant as the Red Dragon. This movie was also very corny like in the end when Will Graham jumped right through the glass window. There was a couple of good scenes but it still wasn't that good.
Rating:
Summary: Under-rated.
Review: In Manhunter, Michael Mann's direction of the novel Red Dragon shows a far different approach to the Lecter-type characterization in the later terrorizing cinemas such as Silence of the Lambs-another one of Thomas Harris' novels-turned-movies. Though similar to the Silence of the Lambs in its format, it shows entirely different perspectives such as in the investigation by the FBI and in the character of the "insane" Hannibal Lektor (spelled Lektor in this movie). The film's strongest points are in its direction and music score, which both add great depth to achieve the suspense and horror of Harris' original novel. The story is about an ex-FBI agent Will Graham, played by William Petersen (from TV's "C.S.I."), being called back to duty to assist in finding the serial killer nicknamed "The Toothfairy", played by Tom Noonan. It is exposed that Graham has caught one of the other great serial killers, the former Psychiatrist Hannibal Lektor, played by Brian Cox, and can consult with Dr. Lektor for help. Given only nine days to complete his case, Graham has to quickly find this serial killer to save the lives of innocent people. Michael Mann's meticulous design of sets, even though the lack of money and current technology are obvious, portrays a beautiful light in every scene. The camera's off-tempo and staccato shifts match the story's suspense masterfully, and the overbearing power of certain colors-matched for their poignant significance to the scene-assists in conveying to the viewer a sense of visual emotion. Also, as the Silence...used Q. Lazzarus' song "Goodbye Horses" to characterize the serial killer, Manhunter also uses music (Iron Butterfly's In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida) to set the tone for the killer. In the few occasions Lektor is contacted by Will Graham, a suspenseful, horrifying experience is expressed to the viewer, more accurate to Harris' novel than that done by Anthony Hopkins in the latter Hannibal movies. Unfortunately, unlike Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal, the genius Lektor-though the mastermind behind the movie-is scarcely on-screen; instead, influence is turned to the ex-FBI agent Will Graham and his ability to mold in to the psyche of the killers he tracks. The Toothfairy, played by Tom Noonan, was not allowed to mingle with the other actors on the set to create a sense of mystery and fear when they finally met on screen. Actor William Petersen himself described the aura of his scenes with the serial killer as "compelling and repelling, at the same time." Director Michael Mann's low-budget film Manhunter, which was to be originally named "Red Dragon" but changed because it sounded too much like a karate movie, is the most accurate representation of any of Thomas Harris' novels yet. Though at first it takes a while to set the scene, in the end you will be thoroughly rewarded by the feeling of watching one of the most compelling-"and repelling,"-movies of its kind.
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