Michael Mann's Manhunter will return to theaters this July in 4K for its 40th anniversary

Before Anthony Hopkins played Hannibal Lecter, Brian Cox performed the role in Michael Mann's 1986 film Manhunter. This marked the first time the infamous cannibal appeared on screen. Now, for its 40th anniversary, the film will return to select U.S. theaters on July 24 in a new 4K restoration overseen by the director.

Prior to hitting U.S. theaters, the 4K restoration of Manhunter will debut at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures' David Greffen Theater on Friday, June 12 and at the Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna. Additionally, the movie will release theatrically in the UK on September 25.

Manhunter is based on Thomas Harris' 1981 novel Red Dragon, which first introduced Hannibal Lecter. The story follows a retired criminal profiler, Will Graham (William Person), who returns to the FBI to track down a serial killer of families. Will is forced to consult with an expert, the imprisoned Lecter (Cox), in order to solve the case and catch the killer. This was Mann's third film and the first adaptation of Harris' four novels that featured the iconic cannibalistic murderer. The movie also stars Tom Noonan as the hunted killer and three-time Oscar nominee Joan Allen as his blind love interest.

In a press release, Mann commented on the new 4K release, stating, “40 years ago – though armed with Thomas Harris’ excellent novel, “Red Dragon” – its subject matter, the profiling of serial killers, as well as being shocking and raw, was unknown. When adapting, I wanted to make its storytelling deliver audiences into a certain state of threat and emotional engagement. Integral to that was the visualization and use of music with lyrics sometimes working like a libretto. We have carefully remastered the film to try to evoke that mood and intensity, heightened with audio sourced from the original 5.1 35mm analog masters. This latest iteration is that version of the film with which I’m most satisfied.”

In that same press release, Mann added, “If the picture was left the way it was, it would be interesting, but you’d feel some distance …you’d be observing it somewhat. I’m more interested in its original intent impacting you the same way it may have in 1986…that is, to bring you into it again in the original way.”

Manhunter: The Final Cut will premiere at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Friday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m. PT, opening its “Summer of Thrills” screening series and at Il Cinema Ritrovato on June 24^th at the Arlecchino theatre ahead of its US and international releases.

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