The irony. He did "Manhunter" and nothing happened. But years later ALL the young directors in Hollywood who salivated over his performance as Lecktor got him so many juicy roles like William Stryker in "X2". He deserves all the acclaim. Such a terrific performer.
He is realistic there's no Shakespearean theatrics like Hopkins. Hes charming and witty truly allowing us to put our guards down not realizing how dangerous and full of darkness he is. Zack Effron's Bundy was a similar great performance. They are so deceptively charismatic that we the audience need to be reminded of their horrific crimes to snap out of their seduction. Cox's eye movements are the subtle glimpse into his diabolical and calculating behavior.
One of my top films. I watched it at the theatre. Cox said in an interview that when he played the part of Hannibal in MANHUNTER, he played him as if there was an absence of something as opposed to the presence of something adding to let’s say, the standard of a human being. Hopkins version, which I enjoyed, was more theatric as he seemed to have added something to what would normally be human behavior. His cell was dank and the set design was intended to be dark and creepy. In the MANHUNTER scenes with Cox as Hannibal, his cell and uniform are stark white contrasting with his dark eyes and hair. This, along with his treatment of the character are minimalist. Coxs’ version of Hannibal is far more convincing. He is the best Hannibal to date for me. William Petersons acting as Will Graham was also excellent and worked perfectly with Cox in these scenes. Thanks.
The only comment that makes sense. People are obsessed with comparing and it's insulting to the actors involved. There is no blueprint for crazy and deranged.
Manhunter is a film I have to watch every year. It’s so good. The scene where the FBI uses old school police work to analyze the note in Lecter’s cell is downright exhilarating.
Brian Cox brought a lot more humour to the part of Hannibal which I really loved. But Hopkins was much more creepy in the role. There are both great in different ways
I also prefer Cox's portrayal.. The more I see Silence of the Lambs the more I think Hopkins is the least interesting thing in it. Lecter does have more mystery in Manhunter, which is itself a superior film to SOTL in my opinion.
Brian does it better. Always thought so. Think about how many screen minutes Brian got compared to Anthony. Brian got me the creeps with by the first sentence
I totally agree with what Cox said about Thomas Harris falling in love with the Hannibal Lector character. He totally butchered the franchise by abandoning the original premise of the first two novels so that he could make Lector the main character.
I disagree with that . I think Hannibal escaping in Silence was a good move . I also think the one in Hannibal with Julianne Moore playing Clarice was pretty good although it was a little cheesy . The film was better than the book . No Hannibal needed to escape . The Red Dragon / Tooth Fairy & Buffalo Bill were terrifying but they were the springboard
The thing about Hopkins' Lector is that I could never buy him passing as a normal person. He's so super-creepy that no matter what company he kept, as soon as the murders happened and the cops came around I picture everyone being like "Oh no, it's Lector isn't it?!" Cox played the man like he was anybody else. The things he says are sometimes horrific, but in his manner he seems like just another guy. Most of his chat with Will Graham, the creepiness comes from how Graham is so obviously freaking out on the inside to even be in his presence, not from Hannibal bragging about eating liver and sniffing the air. To me that makes this Hannibal even scarier, because he could be anybody you know, he could pass forever without suspicion no matter what was happening around him.
Hopkins plays lector as a scenery chewing Pantomime villain for adults. More supervillain than a disturbed individual with psychiatric problem that make him commit atrocities. I know which one I’d be afraid of..
@@harmonicaneil9418 I like Hopkin’s performance and I even liked Mads Mikelson’s but Cox’s is the best . Cox is down to Earth . Hopkins is like a Hammer film creepy villain one and Madds is an intellectual high society one
i feel like cox added an element of physicality to the role, which i would think for a portrayal of a serial killer is quite important... hopkins lecter is about personality, but he looks frail and old, cox has a way he carries himself that gives off his presence, like that if there were no bars between them, he would brake the person across him
Brian Cox seems like such a cool, down to earth guy. I love how he'll do these great dramatic roles and then something unconventional like The Ringer or Trick'r'Treat. Anyone who's a fan and hasn't seen Adaptation should watch his scene, it's so good.
Cox s Lecter ? As someone on a You Tube thread observed Cox”s is the one we could run into in everyday life . I agree regardless of his intellect and Profession , Cox’s Lecter you could meet in Home Depot or on a Fly Fishing tournament and not sense any evil or creepiness . Yes Brian Cox’s Hannibal was the best but I think all 4 of them have been good
Man hunter was the best in my opinion, not just because it was the original (I know, it’s based on the 1981 Red Dragon) , but it’s how it was written and how it was shot, the acting and performances by the actors are incredible. Brian Cox is honestly the most chilling Lecter in my opinion, William Peterson as Will Graham is the best in that role as well, Tom Noonan was fantastic as Francis Dollarhyde and Dennis Farina as Jack Crawford to round it out. Michael Mann who did the screenplay and directing is one of the best in the business for too many reasons to list, I could go on but there’s no need to, anyone who has seen this and the others as well may have their own favorite but I’d bet there are many, many many many, that think this is the best portrayal of these characters and best screen production to date.
Demme's Lecter (played by Hopkins) was clearly a character that had given up ever trying to talk his way out of captivity, he's now just playing mind games with his captors. That sort of makes sense, that story shows how Lector may think that its impossible to persuade them to ever release him. He had after all corresponded with another serial killer and attacked a member of the hospital staff by then. But in the book Red Dragon and Manhunter, he's not piling on the menace, this is someone who may plausibly be released and if he plays his cards right. He is ostensibly imprisoned to cure his mental problems, not as a custodial sentence. This isn't actor vs actor, this is director vs director. The only fair comparison is between Ratner's Red Dragon compared to Mann's Manhunter as those are both adapting the same story. Ratner's take rather sadly tries too much to be a by the numbers attempt to recreate Silence Of The Lambs.
I became a massive Brian Cox film after seeing his brilliant and realistically underplayed performance as Lecktor. Like others here, I agree that Hopkins played Lecktor but Cox WAS Lecktor. So glad he has enjoyed a good career - he is always a pleasure to watch.
Which Hannibal would you honestly choose as your psychiatrist? Which Lecter would be able to operate unnoticed in society? Which of these two portrayals is closer to a true psychopath? Successful serial killers are not pantomime villains. They are able to move freely among society, without drawing attention to themselves. I just can't imagine Hopkins' Lecter interacting with normal people & not scaring them shitless.
But Lecter's being a serial killer is known - he's in prison. He might as well give free rein to his creepiness. Also, Hopkins gets Lecter's fundamental narcissism far more than Cox (though Manhunter is the finest film, I'd say).
I discovered Manhunter only a couple of years ago and it is a fascinating film. The later adaptation is hampered by trying to match Silence of the Lambs. Manhunter has its own style, its own flavor that is uniquely Michael Mann and Brian Cox's performance seems to lack the self-awareness of Hopkins', which makes it all the more realistic and chilling. Silence of the Lambs may be considered a modern classic, but Manhunter is a hidden gem.
Brian, you gave breath & life to the character and YOU WILL ALWAYS OWN HIM! Believe me.... Mr. Hopkins is an outstanding actor,but he will NEVER be Hannibal Lecktor. You were the forerunner, my friend, and that can NEVER be taken from you!
I've always thought Manhunter is one of the best movies I've ever seen. The plot, Brian Cox, William Petersen, Dennis Farina. But I think Brian is such an underrated actor
Thanks, a gem of a post, so great to hear Brian! From Lector to Supertroopers to his McDonald's etc recent commercial Dish network or something, I will watch over and over and APPLAUD! He is the coolest creepiest to funniest, there's acting range and then there's BRIAN COX! Plus everyone else in Manhunter.
Love this movie, and i become in love with the actors. So great, William Petersen is fanatastic. Take me back to the 1980's for a mounth. Great to be born in the early 80's and throgh the 80's!
Mikkelsen, Cox, and Hopkins all gave great stand alone performances as Hannibal. No need to compare who was better. Cox has an amazing memory for people, places and dates. As an actor, that would serve him well.
Cox's Hannibal was the most credible. I loved Anthony Hopkins' portrayal, but it was so over the top and theatrical in comparison. He even sourced some of his performance from old Dracula movies. Somehow it worked brilliantly, but Cox's Hannibal is what I would actually expect to see if I visited the character in the prison.
@ ThisIsFuckingBullshit: Cox played him as a manipulative sociopath, Hopkins played him as a sadistic psychopath - which came across as more theatrical, therefore I found Cox's take on the character more believable and by extension, chilling, as he could get inside your head and make you let your guard down. This was obviously enhanced by William Petersen's great performances in the scenes in which he and Cox shared screentime, but even in those scenes where Cox was essentially alone (e.g. the telephone call), he nailed it.
Cox tried to play him as you "normal, man next door" serial killer, he based him on a Scottish Serial Killer, Peter Manuel Also explained people like Ted Bundy, and Jeffery Dahmer, and how during interviews they talk and act like real normal guys, like your next door neighbour and how that can sometimes be more scary than the psychotic style killer
He is 100% right about Thomas Harris falling in love with the character and his later works are ludicrous compared to Red Dragon and Silence. They are tight books. I don’t know if he had anything to do with the Hannibal tv series but that, Mads Mikkelson aside, was utter tripe also.
He's exactly right about what Harris turned the books into. Demme and Tally were horrified when they read Harris's Hannibal. So much so, they turned down a huge payday to return.
Hopkins was hamming it up in Hannibal and Red Dragon. The character Hannibal Lecter was hamming it up for Clarice in Silence of the Lambs, and Hopkins played it perfectly. Cox's Lecter was not in a position to be making a memorable first impression on someone--Graham already knew him too well, so he had to use a different strategy with Will than he later would with young Agent Starling. Both performances are right for their respective stories, and when Hopkins tried to do the same thing in Red Dragon that he did in SOTL, it no longer made sense.
+M.A. Moreno Hopkins' performance worked so well in Silence of the Lambs because Hannibal was just playing with everyone with no desire to cover his intentions and preserve his image. He was a beast in a cage who tried to use every possibility to entertain himself, so his mannerisms made sense. But it didn't work that well in Red Dragon, because it didn't make sense for him to act the same way or even more goofy around a man who knew him. And then in Hannibal, it was just silly because he acted like a deranged creep around normal people, yet no one seemed to pick up on it.
I actually prefer Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecktor. I felt more creeped out by him in Manhunter. Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter was good at being creepy but something about Brian’s portrayal was more sinister to me.
Manhunter is an amazing film. It's a great Will Graham story just as Silence is a great Clarice movie. Hannibal for each of those films works no matter who plays him. Mads is great too. Definitely my personal favorite, but manhunter is just incredible.
The biggest difference between Cox and Hopkins in this role: Hopkins seethed. He was so evil. Cox? He seemed friendly. He asks for your phone number and, why not give it to him. Hee hee hee. Why indeed.
Now watching this interview, I feel like I'm not a movie buff as I claim to be. Always finding out new things about actors and previous versions of films. Need to be more aware of such things. Can't wait to see "Manhunter" and see Brain Cox as "Hannibal Lector".
I like Silence of the Lambs but I can't help but think Hopkins' performance is just a little over the top. It's basically telegraphing "I am evil". When I says "I ate his liver..." I'm just thinking "yep I can totally believe that's something you would do". But Cox is brilliant because he down plays it. Lecktor is a fast talking jerk you don't realise just how quickly he's getting under your skin, then you remember what he is.
If you ever read the book Red Dragon, Cox was downright forbatim with the personality. And I've liked all the actors that portrayed the character but he was the best that got it right from the book.
The incident he describes from the 3:49 - 5:15 mark, brought to mind an *Ayn Rand* quote about this man : " _A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others_ " What a great man ( _and sadly under rated_ ) actor - I have always preferred Brian Cox's _Hannibal Lecter_ screen interpretation over Anthony Hopkins'
I enjoyed both performances. Brians performance was the grittier version, like what you'd expect from a real serial killer. Anthony's version was a much more theatrical version.
i agree but cause tony is more over the top.that doesn't make it a worse lecter. he is more of an archetype. its not hollywood. both films are great. they are just different.
2:25 that's always a distasteful line of questioning in such interviews and I thought Mark Lawson was trying his best to put in a way that didn't show it up for the pettiness it embodies. Then he ruins it at 2:35 by completely trivialising and gutting the question down to the bare essentials of ego and accolades. There are plenty of ego-maniacs in entertainment (and particularly in Hollywood) but you are unlikely to find a person who will willingly portray themselves in that way, especially if they have knowledge of the interview beforehand, as Cox most likely would have. Fortunately this misstep was saved by Cox's sincerity and erudition, plus it led into an interesting personal anecdote, so there is a minor success there.
He's totally right about Red Dragon and Silence of the Lambs; both are great stories, but Hannibal and Hannibal Rising were not nearly as good or interesting. Weirdly enough, Hannibal is described in the first three novels as having had a perfectly formed extra digit (which he later has surgically removed to avoid detection). But in Hannibal Rising, the prequel, no mention is ever made of this exceptional feature. So yes, the character lost a lot of mystery and went from a dark psychopath to a sympathetic, but dark, avenging angel.
Such an underrated actor. He nailed Lecter right away, making him more manipulating and quick minded. The personnage is supposed to be highly intelligent behind a normal appearance. I think Cox showed it with maestria, a more subtle performance.
Manhunter was amazing and I prefer it to the later version and associated films by far. It seems more based in realism and more psychological which makes it significantly more shocking. Brian Cox was terrific and I prefer his portrayal over Hopkins...in fact I prefer all of the actors in Manhunter...Peterson, Cox and Noonan.
What I'm interested in, is the experience of British actors in America, versus the experience of American actors in great Britain. We're the most similar, and also the furthest apart. Especially regarding crime
Brian Cox .... interpretation ....on a different level....but fuckin' interesting.....the electronic manipulation it the phone was ....a cold scene of tips and tricks...
Interesting how the comments mention only Brian Cox and Anthony Hopkins in their roles as Hannibal Lecter... MADS MIKKELSEN IS THE DEFINITIVE AND ULTIMATE LECTER! And yes, I too favour Brian over Tony Hopkins.
The irony. He did "Manhunter" and nothing happened. But years later ALL the young directors in Hollywood who salivated over his performance as Lecktor got him so many juicy roles like William Stryker in "X2". He deserves all the acclaim. Such a terrific performer.
Lecter is refined but rude. As he is!
Great actor,terrible political opinionator
Brian Cox was the definitive Lector. Manhunter remains one of my favorite films, a Michael Mann masterpiece.
He is realistic there's no Shakespearean theatrics like Hopkins. Hes charming and witty truly allowing us to put our guards down not realizing how dangerous and full of darkness he is. Zack Effron's Bundy was a similar great performance. They are so deceptively charismatic that we the audience need to be reminded of their horrific crimes to snap out of their seduction. Cox's eye movements are the subtle glimpse into his diabolical and calculating behavior.
One of my top films. I watched it at the theatre. Cox said in an interview that when he played the part of Hannibal in MANHUNTER, he played him as if there was an absence of something as opposed to the presence of something adding to let’s say, the standard of a human being. Hopkins version, which I enjoyed, was more theatric as he seemed to have added something to what would normally be human behavior. His cell was dank and the set design was intended to be dark and creepy. In the MANHUNTER scenes with Cox as Hannibal, his cell and uniform are stark white contrasting with his dark eyes and hair. This, along with his treatment of the character are minimalist. Coxs’ version of Hannibal is far more convincing. He is the best Hannibal to date for me. William Petersons acting as Will Graham was also excellent and worked perfectly with Cox in these scenes. Thanks.
When you don't feel the need to pick between Cox, Hopkins, or Mikkelsen and just say "You know what? They all crushed it"
The only comment that makes sense. People are obsessed with comparing and it's insulting to the actors involved. There is no blueprint for crazy and deranged.
Absolutely. They’re all the perfect Lecter for their respective projects.
Manhunter is a film I have to watch every year. It’s so good. The scene where the FBI uses old school police work to analyze the note in Lecter’s cell is downright exhilarating.
Anthony Hopkins is an amazing actor - love him in Bounty and Remains of the Day - but I way preferred what Brian Cox did with this part.
No way. love Cox (that sounds wrong) lol.. But Hopkins is way better
Brian Cox brought a lot more humour to the part of Hannibal which I really loved. But Hopkins was much more creepy in the role. There are both great in different ways
I also prefer Cox's portrayal.. The more I see Silence of the Lambs the more I think Hopkins is the least interesting thing in it. Lecter does have more mystery in Manhunter, which is itself a superior film to SOTL in my opinion.
Brian does it better. Always thought so. Think about how many screen minutes Brian got compared to Anthony.
Brian got me the creeps with by the first sentence
@@67maverick Indeed. He may only be in the film for about 5, maybe 10 minutes, but boy, does Brian leave one hell of an impression.
I totally agree with what Cox said about Thomas Harris falling in love with the Hannibal Lector character. He totally butchered the franchise by abandoning the original premise of the first two novels so that he could make Lector the main character.
Paul M *Lecter
I disagree with that . I think Hannibal escaping in Silence was a good move . I also think the one in Hannibal with Julianne Moore playing Clarice was pretty good although it was a little cheesy . The film was better than the book . No Hannibal needed to escape . The Red Dragon / Tooth Fairy & Buffalo Bill were terrifying but they were the springboard
Personally I think Hannibal is the best book after Red Dragon.
L O
It isn’t.
@@kelman727 it is
The thing about Hopkins' Lector is that I could never buy him passing as a normal person. He's so super-creepy that no matter what company he kept, as soon as the murders happened and the cops came around I picture everyone being like "Oh no, it's Lector isn't it?!"
Cox played the man like he was anybody else. The things he says are sometimes horrific, but in his manner he seems like just another guy. Most of his chat with Will Graham, the creepiness comes from how Graham is so obviously freaking out on the inside to even be in his presence, not from Hannibal bragging about eating liver and sniffing the air.
To me that makes this Hannibal even scarier, because he could be anybody you know, he could pass forever without suspicion no matter what was happening around him.
Hopkins plays lector as a scenery chewing Pantomime villain for adults. More supervillain than a disturbed individual with psychiatric problem that make him commit atrocities. I know which one I’d be afraid of..
@@harmonicaneil9418 I like Hopkin’s performance and I even liked Mads Mikelson’s but Cox’s is the best . Cox is down to Earth . Hopkins is like a Hammer film creepy villain one and Madds is an intellectual high society one
Cox is the best and most unnerving Hannibal. Hands down!
i feel like cox added an element of physicality to the role, which i would think for a portrayal of a serial killer is quite important... hopkins lecter is about personality, but he looks frail and old, cox has a way he carries himself that gives off his presence, like that if there were no bars between them, he would brake the person across him
@@svenlittlecross Hopkins looked frail? Lol. No hi didn't. He looked dangerous. Especially in Hannibal (2001).
I'm surprised Michael Mann didn't ask Brian to play a villian in Miami Vice on the back of his role in Manhunter.
You're right.
Cox is a serious actor, not Miami Vice cereal.
@@FranktheTank70 When you are a jobbing actor, work is work. I think Brain would have done it.
@@FranktheTank70 Cox voiced a villain in Danny Phantom, man...
@@ShadowSonic2 Everybody takes a shit job for a big check
Brian Cox seems like such a cool, down to earth guy. I love how he'll do these great dramatic roles and then something unconventional like The Ringer or Trick'r'Treat. Anyone who's a fan and hasn't seen Adaptation should watch his scene, it's so good.
Brian Cox was easily the best Lecter ever.
I completely agree!
lol
Cox s Lecter ? As someone on a You Tube thread observed Cox”s is the one we could run into in everyday life . I agree regardless of his intellect and Profession , Cox’s Lecter you could meet in Home Depot or on a Fly Fishing tournament and not sense any evil or creepiness . Yes Brian Cox’s Hannibal was the best but I think all 4 of them have been good
He reminded me of an English grandpa anything but scary
I agree. There was something about how he portrayed him that seemed so much more believable.
Man hunter was the best in my opinion, not just because it was the original (I know, it’s based on the 1981 Red Dragon) , but it’s how it was written and how it was shot, the acting and performances by the actors are incredible. Brian Cox is honestly the most chilling Lecter in my opinion, William Peterson as Will Graham is the best in that role as well, Tom Noonan was fantastic as Francis Dollarhyde and Dennis Farina as Jack Crawford to round it out. Michael Mann who did the screenplay and directing is one of the best in the business for too many reasons to list, I could go on but there’s no need to, anyone who has seen this and the others as well may have their own favorite but I’d bet there are many, many many many, that think this is the best portrayal of these characters and best screen production to date.
Demme's Lecter (played by Hopkins) was clearly a character that had given up ever trying to talk his way out of captivity, he's now just playing mind games with his captors. That sort of makes sense, that story shows how Lector may think that its impossible to persuade them to ever release him. He had after all corresponded with another serial killer and attacked a member of the hospital staff by then.
But in the book Red Dragon and Manhunter, he's not piling on the menace, this is someone who may plausibly be released and if he plays his cards right. He is ostensibly imprisoned to cure his mental problems, not as a custodial sentence.
This isn't actor vs actor, this is director vs director. The only fair comparison is between Ratner's Red Dragon compared to Mann's Manhunter as those are both adapting the same story.
Ratner's take rather sadly tries too much to be a by the numbers attempt to recreate Silence Of The Lambs.
I became a massive Brian Cox film after seeing his brilliant and realistically underplayed performance as Lecktor. Like others here, I agree that Hopkins played Lecktor but Cox WAS Lecktor. So glad he has enjoyed a good career - he is always a pleasure to watch.
If you want a realistic Lecter you go with Brian, if you want a Hollywood Lecter you go with Tony
So true
Anthony was a good Hannibal. You know it is actually possible that they both were good. 🤦♂️
Cox was superior and playing to the subtle manipulative psychosis. Hopkins was a cartoon.
@@micahj9828 I agree.
Well said
Which Hannibal would you honestly choose as your psychiatrist? Which Lecter would be able to operate unnoticed in society? Which of these two portrayals is closer to a true psychopath? Successful serial killers are not pantomime villains. They are able to move freely among society, without drawing attention to themselves. I just can't imagine Hopkins' Lecter interacting with normal people & not scaring them shitless.
greg person
Thanks Greg.
Watch the TV show Hannibal.All three Hannibal Lecters are great (not counting Hannibal Rising because it sucked)but I prefer Anthony Hopkins version.
greg person
For me, it's a toss up between Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson & Daniel Day Lewis. There's only a smoking paper between them.
But Lecter's being a serial killer is known - he's in prison. He might as well give free rein to his creepiness. Also, Hopkins gets Lecter's fundamental narcissism far more than Cox (though Manhunter is the finest film, I'd say).
I guess but even when he's on the run in the movie Hannibal, he is acting like the pantomime villain.
I discovered Manhunter only a couple of years ago and it is a fascinating film. The later adaptation is hampered by trying to match Silence of the Lambs. Manhunter has its own style, its own flavor that is uniquely Michael Mann and Brian Cox's performance seems to lack the self-awareness of Hopkins', which makes it all the more realistic and chilling. Silence of the Lambs may be considered a modern classic, but Manhunter is a hidden gem.
Brian, you gave breath & life to the character and YOU WILL ALWAYS OWN HIM! Believe me.... Mr. Hopkins is an outstanding actor,but he will NEVER be Hannibal Lecktor. You were the forerunner, my friend, and that can NEVER be taken from you!
I've always thought Manhunter is one of the best movies I've ever seen.
The plot, Brian Cox, William Petersen, Dennis Farina.
But I think Brian is such an underrated actor
Brian Cox is so talented and has struggled .But his brilliant performance in Succession may help him achieve recognition he rightly deserves
Tom Noonan also made this film! one of the most underrated movie villains.
@@b1xst3r65 I do agree. Tom did a great performance.
Sorry not for mention him ;-)
I'm still bummed out we will never see another Dennis Farina character
Brian Cox is awesome.
One of the most talented actors in the World.
I can listen to Brian Cox all day, any day
Cox is chilling in Manhunter. Absolutely chilling. Wonderful actor.
Thanks, a gem of a post, so great to hear Brian!
From Lector to Supertroopers to his McDonald's etc recent commercial Dish network or something, I will watch over and over and APPLAUD!
He is the coolest creepiest to funniest, there's acting range and then there's BRIAN COX!
Plus everyone else in Manhunter.
In Britain the acting community seems more close-knit than in the USA. Smaller population sure, but maybe theatre plays a role.
The way he asks "Do you have any problems, Will?" [shudder].
Love this movie, and i become in love with the actors. So great, William Petersen is fanatastic.
Take me back to the 1980's for a mounth. Great to be born in the early 80's and throgh the 80's!
One of my favourite films. Just absolute genius
Mikkelsen, Cox, and Hopkins all gave great stand alone performances as Hannibal. No need to compare who was better. Cox has an amazing memory for people, places and dates. As an actor, that would serve him well.
And now he winning everything Emmys and GG for Succession. Great to see a bloke have a second career.
Manhunter is such a great film
He's a brilliant actor
Both are great performances.
Cox's Hannibal was the most credible. I loved Anthony Hopkins' portrayal, but it was so over the top and theatrical in comparison. He even sourced some of his performance from old Dracula movies. Somehow it worked brilliantly, but Cox's Hannibal is what I would actually expect to see if I visited the character in the prison.
@ ThisIsFuckingBullshit:
Cox played him as a manipulative sociopath, Hopkins played him as a sadistic psychopath - which came across as more theatrical, therefore I found Cox's take on the character more believable and by extension, chilling, as he could get inside your head and make you let your guard down. This was obviously enhanced by William Petersen's great performances in the scenes in which he and Cox shared screentime, but even in those scenes where Cox was essentially alone (e.g. the telephone call), he nailed it.
Cox tried to play him as you "normal, man next door" serial killer, he based him on a Scottish Serial Killer, Peter Manuel
Also explained people like Ted Bundy, and Jeffery Dahmer, and how during interviews they talk and act like real normal guys, like your next door neighbour and how that can sometimes be more scary than the psychotic style killer
He is 100% right about Thomas Harris falling in love with the character and his later works are ludicrous compared to Red Dragon and Silence. They are tight books. I don’t know if he had anything to do with the Hannibal tv series but that, Mads Mikkelson aside, was utter tripe also.
A great great film packed with great scenes great music great actors and great words
My favourite Lektor. Realistic, menacing, understated subtle evil.
Mahunter is so underrated; of all the "Silence" movies it's the one I still re-watch.
The ONE and ONLY Lector!
He's exactly right about what Harris turned the books into. Demme and Tally were horrified when they read Harris's Hannibal. So much so, they turned down a huge payday to return.
I thought Hannibal the book was pretty good. Deeply disturbing at times but a good read.
@@leegsy I hate movie and book Hannibal.
Unlike most I saw Manhunter before SoTL, so Cox was always Lecter to me.
Hopkins was better in SOTL, but Cox was better than the two subsequent performances by Hopkins.
Hopkins was hamming it up in Hannibal and Red Dragon. The character Hannibal Lecter was hamming it up for Clarice in Silence of the Lambs, and Hopkins played it perfectly. Cox's Lecter was not in a position to be making a memorable first impression on someone--Graham already knew him too well, so he had to use a different strategy with Will than he later would with young Agent Starling. Both performances are right for their respective stories, and when Hopkins tried to do the same thing in Red Dragon that he did in SOTL, it no longer made sense.
+M.A. Moreno Hopkins' performance worked so well in Silence of the Lambs because Hannibal was just playing with everyone with no desire to cover his intentions and preserve his image. He was a beast in a cage who tried to use every possibility to entertain himself, so his mannerisms made sense.
But it didn't work that well in Red Dragon, because it didn't make sense for him to act the same way or even more goofy around a man who knew him. And then in Hannibal, it was just silly because he acted like a deranged creep around normal people, yet no one seemed to pick up on it.
The way he continuously looks up when we meet him is unnerving...
I actually prefer Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecktor. I felt more creeped out by him in Manhunter. Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter was good at being creepy but something about Brian’s portrayal was more sinister to me.
Both Hopkins and Cox are great in the iconic role.
Both Cox and Hopkins were brilliant but Cox’s is far more chilling and plausible.
Hopkins is more theatrical & Hollywood box ticking.
This video is longer than Cox's screentime in Manhunter hahaha
Manhunter is an amazing film. It's a great Will Graham story just as Silence is a great Clarice movie. Hannibal for each of those films works no matter who plays him. Mads is great too. Definitely my personal favorite, but manhunter is just incredible.
The biggest difference between Cox and Hopkins in this role: Hopkins seethed. He was so evil. Cox? He seemed friendly. He asks for your phone number and, why not give it to him. Hee hee hee. Why indeed.
Brian Cox made Lecter more believable/practical
Brian is always my Hannibal Lector, I own the movie, love Mike Mann, and know all the easter eggs every MM film has, SMELL YOUR SELF!
He is a scary madman. A great and convincing Actor!!
Now watching this interview, I feel like I'm not a movie buff as I claim to be. Always finding out new things about actors and previous versions of films. Need to be more aware of such things. Can't wait to see "Manhunter" and see Brain Cox as "Hannibal Lector".
I like Silence of the Lambs but I can't help but think Hopkins' performance is just a little over the top. It's basically telegraphing "I am evil". When I says "I ate his liver..." I'm just thinking "yep I can totally believe that's something you would do".
But Cox is brilliant because he down plays it. Lecktor is a fast talking jerk you don't realise just how quickly he's getting under your skin, then you remember what he is.
Lionel Starkweather.
Cash, I made you!!!!
I want gore, Cash. GORE!
kinda funny that Brian Cox was in Manhunter, and then years later was in Manhunt
You’re at it again. “Chase me. Chase me.” Just like a teenage girl! - Starkweather
Wonderful Actor I love how he played Hannibal and shame he didn't do his own set of Sequels amazing Man
Funny he mentioned Micheal Gambon…..both are soooo talented and gracious. Brain adds reality and sincerity to everything he has worked on.
If you ever read the book Red Dragon, Cox was downright forbatim with the personality. And I've liked all the actors that portrayed the character but he was the best that got it right from the book.
In addition to having a great voice, he also had the advantage of looking creepy as hell!
For me, the one and only Hannibal Lector. Just a personal opinion obviously.
+geraberl I agree.!
I liked Anthony Hopkins, but Brian Cox is fantastic as Hannibal Lector!
Agreed!
Great actor
The incident he describes from the 3:49 - 5:15 mark, brought to mind an *Ayn Rand* quote about this man : " _A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others_ "
What a great man ( _and sadly under rated_ ) actor - I have always preferred Brian Cox's _Hannibal Lecter_ screen interpretation over Anthony Hopkins'
manhunter as a whole was serious.
I enjoyed both performances. Brians performance was the grittier version, like what you'd expect from a real serial killer. Anthony's version was a much more theatrical version.
What an actor
best lecter by far..
One of the greatest movies of all time. Certainly the best Hannibal.
Cox nailed the character.
Brian Cox was a great Lector! He was really creepy. I love the movie.
Best Hannibal lecture. By far Cox was better then the 9 sequels Manhunter was great. 👍
i agree but cause tony is more over the top.that doesn't make it a worse lecter. he is more of an archetype. its not hollywood. both films are great. they are just different.
Miles better then the Tony Hopkins character, because he's so normal, not a stereotypical villian
Always wondered how Cox would have made "Silence of The Lambs" different...Hopkins was amazing, but Cox as Hannibal Lector was more chilling.
I don't want to sound like a snob but Cox isn't cartoony enough to translate evil to a general audience. His Hannibal is super subtle and nuanced.
NO! Hannibal is a great film. Worth a second look if you haven't already.
Bonnie Timmerman should have an Oscar for being a casting director
2:25 that's always a distasteful line of questioning in such interviews and I thought Mark Lawson was trying his best to put in a way that didn't show it up for the pettiness it embodies. Then he ruins it at 2:35 by completely trivialising and gutting the question down to the bare essentials of ego and accolades.
There are plenty of ego-maniacs in entertainment (and particularly in Hollywood) but you are unlikely to find a person who will willingly portray themselves in that way, especially if they have knowledge of the interview beforehand, as Cox most likely would have. Fortunately this misstep was saved by Cox's sincerity and erudition, plus it led into an interesting personal anecdote, so there is a minor success there.
Brian Cox portrayal of Hannibal Lecter is far more convincing. Cox's version is a psychopath. Hopkins version is a sociopath.
Its very sweet he refers to sir Antony Hopkins as 'tony'.
This dude was the best but thats not saying the other actors portraying Hannibal wasn't bad either.
@Epic878787- its because its 25fps PAL compared to the original film speed, so its sped up by 4%. Not the BBC's fault, it's the format used in the UK.
Manhunter
Manhunt 2003 video game
He's totally right about Red Dragon and Silence of the Lambs; both are great stories, but Hannibal and Hannibal Rising were not nearly as good or interesting. Weirdly enough, Hannibal is described in the first three novels as having had a perfectly formed extra digit (which he later has surgically removed to avoid detection). But in Hannibal Rising, the prequel, no mention is ever made of this exceptional feature. So yes, the character lost a lot of mystery and went from a dark psychopath to a sympathetic, but dark, avenging angel.
Such an underrated actor. He nailed Lecter right away, making him more manipulating and quick minded. The personnage is supposed to be highly intelligent behind a normal appearance. I think Cox showed it with maestria, a more subtle performance.
The telephone social engineering scene is still one of the scariest non horror scenes ever made
He is Hannibal.
End of story.
The guy is an expert in playing creepy, fucked up villains in movies. Terrific actor.
I saw Manhunter on TV wondering why I never even heard of it .
I loved him as Agamemnon......
Well put!
Brian Cox was the best version of Hannibal and Manhunter is the best film involving the character. Silence of the Lambs is incredibly overrated.
Manhunter was amazing and I prefer it to the later version and associated films by far. It seems more based in realism and more psychological which makes it significantly more shocking. Brian Cox was terrific and I prefer his portrayal over Hopkins...in fact I prefer all of the actors in Manhunter...Peterson, Cox and Noonan.
What I'm interested in, is the experience of British actors in America, versus the experience of American actors in great Britain.
We're the most similar, and also the furthest apart. Especially regarding crime
Brian Cox: The superior Hannibal Lector.
Him in The Ringer... oh my god... "WE'RE GONNA FIX THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS!!"
Would you book an appointment with Hopkins Dr. Lector? No.
Brian Cox .... interpretation ....on a different level....but fuckin' interesting.....the electronic manipulation it the phone was ....a cold scene of tips and tricks...
Such a shame Manhunter flopped surely a film that is as good as it is deserved to at least break even?
So cool!!!
Interesting how the comments mention only Brian Cox and Anthony Hopkins in their roles as Hannibal Lecter...
MADS MIKKELSEN IS THE DEFINITIVE AND ULTIMATE LECTER!
And yes, I too favour Brian over Tony Hopkins.
StokaXXL Mads isn’t so great.