Customer Reviews

The Hannibal Lecter Collection (Manhunter / Silence of the Lambs / Hannibal) [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This release of Michael Mann's 'Manhunter' is about as perfunctory as it gets. It's packaged in a generic-looking triple pack with 'Silence of the Lambs' and 'Hannibal' and there are absolutely no special features (there aren't even names for the chapter stops). It's a surprise, then, that it looks and sounds as good as it does. The movie is old (1986) and it's generally referred to as a footnote to the other two in this set. Still, I've seen it dozens of times over the years (on film, cable television, VHS, DVD) and this Blu-Ray picture is the sharpest I've ever seen it. The night time and darkly lit scenes are crisp; the lights and colors (sometimes used expressionistically) are clearer and show more detail than I've ever seen.

I'm not bothered by the lack of special features; this was such as unlikely candidate for Blu-Ray release, it's a treat just to have the movie in such nice shape.

Great collection of Hannibal Lector films. "Hannibal" wasn't as popular as others in the series, but it was a pretty decent film. The book, however, was much better and had a different ending, one that would DEFINITELY upset many fans of the films. Sorry, Clarice, but you were not the smartest person in the room.

The real joy in this set, however, is the added exposure this release gives to 1986's "Manhunter", the first film to feature Hannibal Lektor (spelling variation used in that film). Scottish actor Brian Cox originated the role that Anthony Hopkins made more famous 5 years later, but Cox's take on the character is not to be missed. Hopkins' Hannibal is imprisoned in a dark and dank dungeon. Cox's Hannibal is kept in a clean, sterile, all-white cell. No moody atmospherics used there. All the menace is in the performance, and there's quite a bit of menace, my friends.

Only question remaining is this: which version of "Manhunter" is it? There was the theatrical version (later released on VHS and LaserDisc) and no fewer than THREE different cuts of the film released on DVD over the years. For my money, the cut that was on VHS and LaserDisc (and the last of three DVD versions to be released) is by far the best one. I wonder if there is a way to find out which version is on Blu-Ray before I plunk my hard-earned on it.

Interesting trivia: In "Manhunter", William Petersen's character rescues Joan Allen's character from the clutches of the Tooth Fairy, this film's VERY creepy villain. Some 16 years later in Rod Lurie's movie "The Contender", Joan Allen's character is indirectly involved in a back-room scheme that publicly destroys Petersen's character's political career. They are sitting across from each other as the chips fall. I kept waiting for Petersen to look at Allen and say, "That's the thanks I get for saving your skinny butt from the Tooth Fairy? Some gratitude!" But he never does.


**** Follow-up ****

I read that the version of "Manhunter" included here is the original theatrical cut (the one originally released on VHS and LaserDisc). In my opinion, that is the best version.

As Amazon.com often confuses regular DVD sets and Blu Ray I wanted it clear I have just viewed this three Blu-Ray set. Firstly "Manhunter" was a primary consideration in my purchase and while the bonus features are missing....it did look surprisingly good based on my past DVD experience with this film on Anchor Bay in single and double disc configuration. "Silence Of the Lambs" is not bare bones in fact its the identical disc being sold separate with a full assortment of bonus features...and at times shows off the blu-ray quality but in some of the more muted scenes (and there are many) doesn't seem to be a big improvement over the standard DVD. "Hannibal" is missing all the wonderful bonus features and again...its shot in a less vibrant way so hard to judge the sharpness and quality of the upgrade to Blu-Ray. I purchased this used at a local store for $25 and at that price I'd give it 5 stars for content v price....at $50 I'd want a heckuva lot more.

Hopkins, admittedly OTT, is a better Lector for me than the understated but equally unconvincing Brian Cox. In every other respect the more dated Manhunter is a far better film than Red Dragon.

If you want the three best Lector films these are defintely them.

Good movie collection for the price. Although I would ahve preferred Red Dragon instead of The Manhunter. Its all good though.

I thought I would be upgrading when I bought this blu-ray set, but I was sadly disappointed. Shame on 20th Century fox for putting a bare bones skeleton of a blu-ray set out there for people to spend money on! I much better enjoy the special features and even Easter Eggs on my regular "old-tech" DVD. Hannibal was so sadly lacking in extras it was pitiful. Now I'm shy to buy any other version of Hannibal on blu-ray out of wasting my money.
If there's an blu-ray edition that has the extras of Hannibal Special Edition out there, please speak up. This edition is earmarked for the buy-back pile.



Disappointing...very disappointing...

I'm giving this "collection" just three stars because it's not a true collection of the Hannibal movies. Yes, the movies included in this bundle are all great movies, but why did they not include the other two (Hannibal Rising and Red Dragon) Hannibal movies? Although Manhunter and Red Dragon are both based off the same novel by Thomas Harris, it would have been nice if they were both included in this bundle.

As noted by others that have commented on this bundle, the BluRay version of these films lacks extras. One of the reasons why I switched to BluRay is because of the extras. I love watching how the movie came to be... the inspiration, making of, and commentaries. The decision to not include these tidbits is truly a shame. I think I'm going to sell this bundle back and get each film individually so I can have the extras.

It is great to have these movies all in one case. It is too bad that Hannibal Rising was not included. Sound and picture quality is awesome beyond my expectations. I highly recommend to any hannibal fan out there. Perhaps you leave you phone and address.

First of all, I must say, "Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!" to the fact that Ratner's hack-job on "Red Dragon" will be dropped, kicked and forgotten for ever, and thank goodness. As for the last in the series of the Hannibal as a child in "Rising" was a decent film but was also not a Fox movie, therefore rightly not included. I am, like I said, so very very glad that Ratner's "Red Dragon" will be done and dusted for ever, that piece of crap.
Now, back to this BR collection - sure it doesn't have any extras, but at least "Manhunter" gets more exposure, and Michael Mann did a brilliant job of it, of making it a cool, 80's iconic movie with the smooth music to boot!, with his slick cinematographic style carrying on the whole Miami Vice feel. To tell you the truth, I loved the movie and still love it and it ranks up there as one of my all time faves - I mean it's the 80's! I grew up through all that! Cool stuff. Brian Cox nails it in this film, and the sanitary, cold cell in this version was right for the time. To go to the dark and dingy in "Silence" was right for its time as the whole grunge thing happened in the 90's and that was appropriate for its time. I mean you look at William Petersen's acting style, and subsequent FBI CSI-tech thing, he made a living on that! How cool is that? In fact, if you think about it, Michael Mann really was a pioneer and he really gave the cinematic world so much with his signature as well.
I'm glad this is collection is the way it is.

What the hell happened to the Hannibal Blu-Ray, Manhunter looks pretty decent and so does SOTL.
Hannibal on the other hand, the movie where imagequality actually matters the most is completely useless. I was alredy diappointed by the german version which actually looks very good but had the wrong aspect ratio and some of the image cropped. So I thought MGM would do a better job ... mistake. Now i have two versions that suck ... but hell, at least in a different way. Now I'll get the british version and hope for the best, but it will probably just get even more disappointing... If you hate Hannibal, get it for the other two movies which look good. Now this is after Gladiator the second failure in image quality for a ridley scott movie ... waiting for a rerelease...