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Manhunter (1986)

Directed by Michael Mann · Crime

120 minutes

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
1:11:19

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

Brian Cox

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:11Read transcript
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
1:28:56

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
1:33:48

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

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