Manhunter or Red Dragon

[SoCal Sam]

I just watched Manhunter and the later Red Dragon on DVD. Both movies are based on Red Dragon by Thomas Harris. What is interesting is remakes are usually decades apart whereas these two are separated by about 15 years.

Manhunter is directed by Michael Mann and has more than a hint of Miami Vice flavor. However, once I got past the pure 80's kitsch, the story was purer and more emotive than the later Red Dragon. Peterson, as the original Will Graham is more vulnerable and emotionally involved than Ed Norton.

While the stories are broadly the same, much was changed in the re-make. Lecktor gets a more prominent role and Dr. Chilton is more of the fool first seen in Silence of the Lambs. Who would have guessed that Hannibal the cannibal would become the most popular character to emerge from Silence.

So, which is better? My vote goes to Manhunter for being less gimmicky and focusing more on the detective Graham and how he gets into the mind of the Tooth Fairy.