Most Rewatchable Scene · 36:29
The FBI note relay, Graham’s first Lecter meeting, and the final assault
The opening beach sequence and Graham’s reluctant return are nominated.
Graham walking through the first victim’s house is nominated.
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36:29
53:06
1:05:24
1:09:37
1:11:19
1:12:58
1:15:11
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1:28:56
1:30:14
1:33:48
1:34:23
1:34:35
The Rewatchables ·
Manhunter
-
Who won the movie
Michael Mann
-
Dion Waiters Award
Brian Cox
What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie? · 1:33:48
Freddie’s dictated note, the Captiva house, and the beach driftwood
The note Freddie is forced to read is proposed.
Cast
Selected cast credits · Film reference
William Petersen
FBI Agent Will Graham
Tom Noonan
Francis Dollarhyde
Dennis Farina
FBI Agent Jack Crawford
Brian Cox
Dr. Hannibal Lecktor
Kim Greist
Molly Graham
Joan Allen
Reba McClane
Stephen Lang
Freddy Lounds
Everything from the episode
In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.
36:29
Most Rewatchable Scene
The FBI note relay, Graham’s first Lecter meeting, and the final assault
The FBI note relay, Graham’s first Lecter meeting, and the final assault
In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 00:36:29Read transcript
- The opening beach sequence and Graham’s reluctant return are nominated.
- Graham walking through the first victim’s house is nominated.
- Graham and Lecter’s first prison conversation is a leading choice.
- The airplane nightmare is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Dolarhyde’s torture of Freddie Lounds is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Reba touching the sedated tiger is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Graham discovering the home-movie clue is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- The final In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida assault is Bill’s choice.
- The FBI team relaying the note under time pressure is Chris’s choice.
- The final preferences split among the note relay, first Graham–Lecter scene, and ending.
53:06
What’s Aged the Best?
Profiling, Mann’s style, the soundtrack, Tom Noonan, Brian Cox, and procedural details
Profiling, Mann’s style, the soundtrack, Tom Noonan, Brian Cox, and procedural details
In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 00:53:06Read transcript
- The film’s early criminal-profiling and forensic-procedure material remains compelling. — Bill Simmons
- The Red 7 heartbeat device is praised.
- The soundtrack is praised.
- The Captiva beach house and coastal setting are praised. — Bill Simmons
- Tom Noonan is highlighted. — Bill Simmons
- Lecter’s quoted verbal precision remains effective. — Bill Simmons
- The movie’s color design is praised. — Bill Simmons
- Brian Cox’s later career strengthens appreciation for his Lecter.
- The recurring “time is luck” line is highlighted. — Bill Simmons
- Mann’s use of Miami Vice repertory actors adds texture. — Bill Simmons
- Dante Spinotti’s cinematography is praised. — Chris Ryan
- Blue, green, and red are read as a simple, effective visual code.
- William Petersen’s Will Graham is considered among the notable 1980s movie cops.
1:05:24
What’s Aged the Worst?
The title history, missing backstory, comparison with Silence of the Lambs, and several period details draw criticism.
The title history, missing backstory, comparison with Silence of the Lambs, and several period details draw criticism.
In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:24Read transcript
- The title was reportedly changed after Year of the Dragon underperformed. — Bill Simmons
- The film’s omission of the earlier Graham–Lecter attack is debated. — Bill Simmons
- The Silence of the Lambs prison cell is judged less effective after comparison with Manhunter’s. — Bill Simmons
- The absence of a Miggs cameo is jokingly called a miss. — Bill Simmons
- Petersen and Noonan’s later CSI reunion in an episode titled Abra Cadaver is mocked. — Bill Simmons
- Smoking in elevators is an unmistakable period detail. — Bill Simmons
1:09:37
Casting What-Ifs
Richard Gere, Mel Gibson, Paul Newman, and several Lecter possibilities
Richard Gere, Mel Gibson, Paul Newman, and several Lecter possibilities
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:37Read transcript
- Richard Gere is named as a possible Will Graham.
- Mel Gibson is named as a possible Graham.
- Paul Newman is named as an intriguing Graham alternative.
- John Lithgow is considered for Lecter. — Bill Simmons
- Mandy Patinkin is considered for Lecter. — Bill Simmons
- Brian Dennehy is considered for Lecter and reportedly recommended Brian Cox. — Bill Simmons
- David Lynch and Ted Levine are mentioned in the wider casting discussion. — Bill Simmons
1:11:19
The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award
Jim Zubiena, Chris Elliott, Stephen Lang, and FBI-room performers are nominated; the likely choice is not confidently...
Jim Zubiena, Chris Elliott, Stephen Lang, and FBI-room performers are nominated; the likely choice is not confidently identified in the transcript.
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:19Read transcript
- Jim Zubiena is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Chris Elliott is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Stephen Lang is nominated.
- Several actors in the FBI briefing room are nominated collectively.
- The panel appears to favor an early Miami Vice-linked actor, but the machine transcript does not support a confident name.
1:12:58
The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award
William Petersen and Stephen Lang split the overacting discussion.
William Petersen and Stephen Lang split the overacting discussion.
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:58Read transcript
- Petersen’s visibly tormented Graham moments are nominated and debated. — Bill Simmons
- Stephen Lang’s Freddie Lounds is nominated for operating at a different intensity. — Chris Ryan
- The panel compares Lang’s performance to Judd Nelson in a different movie. — Bill Simmons
1:15:11
The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance
Brian Cox
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:11Read transcript
- Tom Noonan is ruled too central to qualify. — Chris Ryan
- Dennis Farina is nominated but considered too substantial a presence. — Bill Simmons
- Joan Allen is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Brian Cox is selected for making a major impression in limited time.
1:16:23
Recasting Couch
Richard Gere or Paul Newman as Graham; broader Redford, Brando, Hoffman, DiCaprio, and Lakeith Stanfield hypotheticals
Richard Gere or Paul Newman as Graham; broader Redford, Brando, Hoffman, DiCaprio, and Lakeith Stanfield hypotheticals
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:23Read transcript
- Richard Gere for Graham is proposed and disputed.
- Paul Newman is treated as the most intriguing period alternative.
- Robert Redford is considered.
- Marlon Brando is considered.
- Dustin Hoffman is considered.
- A post-Revenant Leonardo DiCaprio version is imagined.
- Lakeith Stanfield is proposed for a modern version.
1:19:39
Half-Assed Internet Research
Noonan’s preparation, casting, Mann’s FBI work, music timing, guerrilla filming, practical blood, and omitted tattoos
Noonan’s preparation, casting, Mann’s FBI work, music timing, guerrilla filming, practical blood, and omitted tattoos
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:39Read transcript
- Tom Noonan reportedly trained his body and isolated himself from the cast. — Bill Simmons
- Brian Cox’s audition and Dennehy’s recommendation are recounted. — Bill Simmons
- Michael Mann reportedly consulted FBI personnel. — Bill Simmons
- The climactic song is timed deep into the sequence. — Bill Simmons
- The airplane material was reportedly filmed guerrilla-style. — Bill Simmons
- Corn syrup effects reportedly stuck to Noonan during production. — Bill Simmons
- Petersen reportedly had trouble getting out of character after the movie. — Bill Simmons
- The film omits Dolarhyde’s novel tattoos. — Bill Simmons
1:21:55
Apex Mountain
William Petersen’s movie career, Tom Noonan, Captiva, burning corpses on rolling chairs, and cutoff gray shirts: yes
William Petersen’s movie career, Tom Noonan, Captiva, burning corpses on rolling chairs, and cutoff gray shirts: yes
In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:55Read transcript
- William Petersen is judged at his movie apex, though CSI complicates his overall apex. — Bill Simmons
- Tom Noonan is judged at his apex. — Bill Simmons
- Michael Mann is judged below his apex.
- Joan Allen is judged below her apex.
- Burning corpses on rolling chairs are jokingly assessed as an apex. — Bill Simmons
- Profiling is denied an apex because CSI and The Silence of the Lambs took it further. — Bill Simmons
- The climactic song use is debated as an apex. — Bill Simmons
- Sprinting through a window is assessed against being thrown through one.
- Captiva is judged at its apex.
- Cutoff gray shirts receive an apex joke. — Sean Fennessey
1:24:32
Picking Nits
The beach house, alternate ending, and Michael Mann courtship habits drive the nitpicks.
The beach house, alternate ending, and Michael Mann courtship habits drive the nitpicks.
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:24:32Read transcript
- Graham’s ability to afford the Captiva beach house is questioned. — Bill Simmons
- The alternate ending adds Graham visiting the family he saved before returning to the beach. — Bill Simmons
- The hosts argue that the alternate ending should have been retained because it complicates Graham’s trauma.
- Michael Mann characters’ approach to first dates is questioned. — Chris Ryan
1:28:56
Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake
Already covered by the Hannibal television series
Already covered by the Hannibal television series
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:56Read transcript
- Hannibal is cited as an existing expanded reinterpretation. — Bill Simmons
- A new HBO Max or Netflix version initially sounds exciting. — Bill Simmons
- The property is considered too saturated to need one. — Sean Fennessey
1:30:14
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Cox in Silence, adaptation lineage, Graham’s pay, home movies, glass, and geography
Cox in Silence, adaptation lineage, Graham’s pay, home movies, glass, and geography
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:14Read transcript
- How would Brian Cox have played Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs? — Bill Simmons
- How much is Will Graham paid? — Chris Ryan
- Who filmed the victims’ home movies? — Chris Ryan
- How does Dolarhyde manage the glass and mirror staging?
- Are the characters in Washington, Atlanta, or Chicago at various points?
1:33:48
What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?
Freddie’s dictated note, the Captiva house, and the beach driftwood
Freddie’s dictated note, the Captiva house, and the beach driftwood
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:33:48Read transcript
- The note Freddie is forced to read is proposed.
- The Captiva house is proposed. — Bill Simmons
- The beach driftwood is proposed. — Bill Simmons
1:34:23
Who Won the Movie?
Michael Mann
Michael Mann
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:34:23Read transcript
- At least two distinct responses choose Michael Mann.
- One response credits Mann with directing the show.
Podcast choices
- Speaker not identified
- Michael Mann
- Speaker not identified
- Michael Mann
1:34:35
The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie
No single winner: the potato-chip dip line; Dennis Farina’s dialogue; Dolarhyde’s lines
No single winner: the potato-chip dip line; Dennis Farina’s dialogue; Dolarhyde’s lines
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:34:35Read transcript
- The potato-chip dip line is nominated.
- Dennis Farina’s dialogue is praised as a group of alternatives.
- Dolarhyde’s threatening lines are nominated.
More from the conversation
Roger Ebert’s 3.5-star Red Dragon review is mentioned only as a retrospective comparison, not as a review of Manhunter.
Approx. transcript time · 00:36:04Read transcript
Mentions across The Rewatchables
Double Feature
The Silence of the Lambs
The Rewatchables · aired October 15, 2024
Manhunter (two preferences); Zodiac (another pick)
Approx. transcript time · 02:02:23Read transcript
Source 1