William Petersen Interview for Manhunter 1986

Interview with William Petersen on the opening day of Michael Mann's Manhunter 1986.

[@Godzilla52]

Michael Mann is a brilliant director, Peterson was perfectly cast for the role.

[@MrCarpen7er]

Petersen

[@sebastianfitzptraick7395]

Shame Manhunter bombed when it came out because it's a masterpiece film.

[@bobbybecker6435]

Absolutely one of the greatest films of the 80's.

[@numb3r5ev3n]

I agree, and I recently watched my DVD of it and WOAH I need to upgrade to the Blu Ray, because the earlier cuts of this film are kind of done a disservice when watched on modern HD/4K TVs. Either that or I need to adjust for "soap opera effect" again.

[@AlexJEdits]

I wouldn’t call it a masterpiece but it had some good moments The first half was the better part

[@gswguy4554]

Better than silence of the lambs

[@plasticweapon]

@@AlexJEdits it's a masterpiece.

[@plofus]

To live and Die in LA and Manhunter two of best 80s movies.

[@gabevachon326]

18th century Cameroon..

[@Engel888]

Yes. I agree. !

[@ingridlaskova1878]

What about Die Hard? 😃

[@deanlaffan2390]

100% agree ! TLADILA was a masterpiece.

[@paulpatane2439]

Don't forget Thief

[@WitchmanDumb]

Manhunter was WAY better than Red Dragon!!!!

[@el-kiote]

Erik Nelson agreed

[@johncastillo5462]

I agree man hunter is a better film thank you .

[@SIKE01]

Red Dragon, a kung fu film??

[@funky-puppet]

It is however I didn’t think Red Dragon was okay

[@muffassa6739]

I totally agree with you

[@Phantom2088]

He was a great choice for the lead. His performance is without a doubt against the test of time.

[@eboulter]

He is very handsome

[@Godzilla52]

Mann is such an underrated director he deserved Academy awards for so many of his movies but never got one.

[@Raskolnikov32]

None of the performances in Red Dragon are better acted than here, the casting on this film was sublime. In particular, Tom Noonan's potrayal of Francis Dolarhyde was one of the greatest acting performances of all time; he made a psychotically deranged killer appear both disturbingly frightening and utterly pathetic both at the same time; that he could take such a despicable man and make him into a sympathetic character and a vulnerable human being is testament to that.

[@legaliseuprebuggiun]

100%

[@rimrunz1795]

Yes, tom noonan did that very well... Saw th film, finally, decades after it came out, but wow it was well done

[@setpunks13]

manhunter and to live and die in L.A. two of my favorite movies from the 80s!

[@PoisonPuke]

He looks... perfect. I love him.

[@rodeopac]

My favorite film ~ William Peterson exceptional actor!

[@MrCarpen7er]

Petersen

[@CitizenKANE2277]

Amazing film. Michael Mann is a fantastic director. Tom Noonan and Peterson are terrific.

[@MrCarpen7er]

Petersen

[@jeannetteburgess2745]

Amazing movie. Actors and soundtrack. Thomas Noonan..Amazing..Absolutely a classic

[@gabehill-harriss9022]

This was and still is one of my favourite films ever made, not just of the crime thriller genre, but for the ability Mann has to create such believable characters, forensic sets and style that was so unique for its time. Just a real one off. A true gem. Lucky enough to see this at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood when it came out. I was 14, on holiday from the UK. The film had such an impact on me.

[@cold144]

I had just seen Manhunter and was fascinated by it. I taped this when it aired. I wish I could find the Michael Mann interview as well.

[@shawnn7502]

I knew William Peterson was fantastic going back to To Live and Die in LA. Shame he didn't do more movies.

[@RRL110]

This guy is Graham. After his performance I just couldn't get thru Red Dragon with Norton in it. Norton was so unconvincing that it was laughable. I remember when Silence of the lambs came out and I was hoping Peterson would be in it as well. They should make a film with Graham and Starling in it today.

[@TheWickerMan1981]

+Robert Lukacs Petersen is Will. Norton was the worst and Dancy is just all over the place with the character.

[@RRL110]

That new TV show basically tries to make up for the fact that the actor is unable to show the range needed for the character. They compensate for this by showing the crimes taking place visually in his mind. Petersen conveyed this with acting skill alone.

[@DrumCoversFromHell]

Kind of like a where are they now? that would be interesting, I mean, which hannibal do they get? both hannibal lecter's were very good but i think if they used both starling and graham, then it should be just be them, and nobody else.

[@rossdiamondthief6627]

R L Manhunter had better acting performances, Red Dragon had a better story structure

[@giovanna722]

@@RRL110 He sure did. I'm a fan of Manhunter, and I thought the acting was first rate. Haven't seen the remake w/ Norton, but it doesn't sound like a good casting choice.He doesn't have the depth of Petersen. You need it to anchor the narrative.

[@gregthomas2448]

Manhunter is absolutely a masterpiece! William Peterson, Brian Cox and Michael Mann deserve Oscar Awards for this ! 🏆

[@FranktheTank70]

Strong performances everywhere in Manhunter, excellent thriller.

[@miamiviceali]

I agree with Mann's strategy of fusing the visual with the aural..that is what is also brilliant about the Miami Vice series

[@Tristar_Darren]

Manhunter is my 2nd fav film after another Michael Mann movie, Heat. Something about his visual style & the intensity of the main characters just draw you in, even Tom Cruise was an epic bad guy in Collateral! Was Will Peterson wearing the same shirt in the interview as his character wore in the film, looks familiar 🤔

[@TumsFestival.]

Thank you for uploading this. Too bad film interviews aren't like this anymore where the reporter asks thoughtful questions about the film, even inquiring about the main criticism the film received in reviews, and gives the actor an uninterrupted chance to respond.

[@thiscorrosion900]

This was the last time period in which we had people trained as actual journalists and reporters. Now it's all about gawking at 18 year old tushies on Instagram or whatever. On who threw up on Minaj last night etc.

[@known_unknown284]

MANHUNTER is one of the all time great underrated masterpieces. On the surface, Demme's grubby, naturalistic, isolated environments as used in Silence of the Lambs is a much better fit for the Thomas Harris serial killer material, but somehow Mann's high gloss 1980s atmospheres work really well.

[@MrNightOwl88]

There's so much elements to this film from Cinematography to the music to everything. Well done film, Michael is best director on earth.

[@MrCarpen7er]

No.

[@diezeled]

Little did everyone know that Manhunter would become a cult classic. It is my favorite movie without question, I've seen it over ten times and every time I watch it I appreciate it more. It is truly a perfect movie in every sense. Thanks for posting this interview.

[@krusader85]

damn William was badass when he manhandled that heckler, i still cant get his CSI persona out of my mind lol

[@sednafloating7027]

this guy could also play a killer without... blinking twice.

[@519forestmonk9]

He has intense smoldering eyes

[@519forestmonk9]

+trha2222 those are lasers

[@sednafloating7027]

more smoldering that fiennes' in schindler's list? or pacino's in godfather? :) maybe...

[@Kirkola]

Always thought that the 4 characters played by Peterson, Farino, Noonan and Cox were so much better in this than Red Dragon. Much better movie.

[@athoshipner6847]

i loved this movie.. and still do.

[@dilmao]

thanks a lot for posting! great movie, very cool actor and a good interview in my opinion...

[@bobgreystoke316]

He’s fine and I’m straight.

[@thegrimyeaper]

4:32 A pretty good description of what makes Michael Mann movies so good.

[@dinoaplz]

He would have been a better Sonny Crockett than Don Johnson. I love this guy in To Live and Die in LA.

[@OkayCesarini]

I disagree only because Don is amazing. But I wish Peterson at least appeared on Miami Vice

[@eduardobsn83]

Willliam is a great actor, he worked so well in To Live And Die In LA and Manhunter. But Don Johnson was born to play Crockett. He's Crockett. The role of a lifetime.

[@rossdiamondthief6627]

Deano Zazo I don’t think so! No one could’ve played Crockett the way Johnson.. however, I could see Petersen as Martin Riggs from Lethal Weapon if Mel Gibson didn’t do it.

[@gabevachon326]

Nah....Don was perfect as Sonny.

[@johndawhale3197]

Peterson should have replaced Zito after he was killed off.

[@Silks]

awesome find and upload

[@csihardfan111]

My hubby!!! Haha, just kidding. But who can resist him?!

[@nicck]

It's a shame he hasn't really been in many movies since...

[@georgerichardson7728]

Back when actors knew what they were taking on, and not thought primarily of what amount they were taking home.

[@normsallitt2753]

This movie is what made me become a Manhunter.

[@otisroseboro5613]

Love the movie classic

[@hindsightpov4218]

It never occurred to me before, but here William Petersen reminds me a lot of Stephen Amell from the comic book series 'Arrow'. Not just the way he looks, but also the way he speaks and his mannerisms.

[@faffaflunkie]

Great American actor. Petersen is almost Brando caliber.

[@festyosemtex]

RED DRAGON IS A PIECE OF COW DUNG COMPARED TO THIS MOVIE. Brett Ratner? Give me a break.

[@cybersquire]

Amazing. William Petersen is underrated by soo many because is low key. But that is exactly why he is still the best in the business/ I would have paid real money to see Gus Grissom chuck someone into a windshield for getting in his face. Observation: Jorja Fox would have just turned 18 when this came out.I Unreal.

[@ronniedoll]

Fantasic interview mate. Cheers!

[@yiannischristophi9887]

By far my favorite graham

[@WorleyClarence]

Great post , thanks =)

[@isaachaze1]

knowing michael mann, he probably had that train go by in the background 100 times until they got it right lol.

[@brianmccoll2060]

I watched Manhunter when it was released. It is a brilliant film and should be on everyone's top 5, never mind top 10. BUt don't denegrate Red Dragon, it was use a tool to combine the rest of the series using the 'main' actors.

[@Jonas-js2eb]

this is gold.

[@Aeon2Flux]

"No those ARE my actual shoulders, not football gear.Thank you.". William Peterson. 1986

[@Swordsfor200Alex]

Awesome movie and Billy did a fantastic job as FBI profiler "Will Graham" Classic

[@ericthomas9686]

I always thought Red Dragon and Silence of the lambs was at best was a 5. Manhunter and to live and die in LA with William Petterson goes to 11. When I started watching Vegas CSI I saw some Characteristics in his character in Manhunter. Read a lot interviews from this actor, he is very blunt about the industry just like Gary Oldman, both are very sincere. Petterson didn't like the spin offs , not because it was against the other cast in crew but how the industry would ruined the series.

[@JW...-oj5iw]

Eric Thomas ... Petersen.

[@bloodtimemaximusfullthrott226]

Eric Thomas silence of the lambs a 5? Out of what measure? Hopefully a 5 dumb ass

[@ChrissonatorOFL]

Holy crap! He looks and sounds so different from when he played in CSI: Las Vegas... O_O

[@meveevem1001]

Great intelligent actor - Come back to film Billy !

[@rickyricardo21]

Hugh Dancy now fills his shoes, a sorta looks the same as Will from Manhunter. I was neither here nor there on Edward Norton as Will in Red Dragon, but Ralph Fiennes as Frances Dolarhyde was phenomenal

[@usulkane]

this movie was BETTER that silence of the lambs.

[@cold144]

You're welcome. Nice to know I wasn't wasting my time.

[@cynthiakoehne7004]

awesome that SouthPark did an episode which manhunter was the theme of the show, KUDOS SP!

[@danielcerna5708]

I could see him as Batman !!

[@hawkhandsaw]

I agree with usulkane, this movie was superior to "Lambs." Petersen gave one of the superlative performances of the 80's. He got so deep into Will Graham and he even spoke about how this affected him on a personal level. The film is great, the cast is fantastic, and Michael Mann is a superb director with an impeccable sense of style. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out!

[@Vaultboy101]

Either this interview was done during filming, or William Petersen got to keep some of his characters wardrobe afterwards. Will Graham wears those clothes during the scene in the U.S. Govt. Impounded Evidence scene where he's sitting there feeling a piece of fabric from one of the murdered families.

[@wp1953]

Probably they were his clothes to begin with.

[@Vaultboy101]

I don't know, Michael Mann is pretty anal about the visual aspects of his movies & especially the clothes.

[@radiodj1520]

In This Clip, From 0:00 To 0:10, It Was WNBC-TV's News 4 Live At 5 Re-Join Video Clip From Friday Evening, August 15, 1986.

[@capucchan8]

wow she was young

[@steveconn]

Don't think Peterson could do that with Stephen Lang post-Avatar.

[@noname-jh3bd]

He's very very good actor, and he looked good back then, however, I think he got better looking with age

[@Blumoon_vii]

I think after this movie, he didn't want to do psychological thriller again it missed up his mind, and u can tell in the movie he lost in that character it felt real

[@sibryce]

@SawThatComingAgain Yeah even though I generally like Red Dragon better, whenever I read the novel Petersen just comes my mental image of Graham.

[@AbbeyRoad52]

Isn't Sue Simmons that news anchor who got in trouble for saying an F-bomb on air?

[@davewolfy2906]

Read the book first, you so much more when you watch the film.

[@Firebrand55]

So......which film was best. Silence of the Lambs is one of only 3 films that won the 5 main oscars, l.i.u. Manhunter got one but in many respects, is the better film; why? In 'Lambs, the two main stars 'get in the way' of reality and dominate the screen......Man. is more stealthy, introspective and creeps into your mind...a subtle case of great direction.

[@ronniep9272]

He looked like Matthew McConaughey.

[@akfreed6949]

Ive seen MANHUNTER before Silence Of The Lambs was released in theaters . The big press was over Sir Anthony Hopkins portrayal as Hannibal Lector . I thought MANHUNTER never got the success it deserved because of ALIENS was out at the same time . ALIENS really killed other movies . Anyways , I still think Brian Cox is THE Hannibal Lector and will ALWAYS be the ORIGINAL Hannibal .

[@TheEternalOuroboros]

Hugh Dancy is the best Will, but this Will was more disturbed by Hannibal, which makes the film more atmospheric.

[@TheEternalOuroboros]

I've loved Manhunter for 7 years. Wow.

[@cel101278]

Too HOT to determine. LOL

[@manhunter_net]

If you're a fan of MANHUNTER everyone is welcome to visit and join my Facebook fan page HERE > facebook.com/ManhunterMichaelMann/

[@csihardfan111]

I'll probably freeze...

[@dickieblench5001]

Dream much Will?

[@Treblaine]

Its awful to compare him with Edward Norton but... they did the same character in the same story. And sorry but Petersen is just far more settled into the role. The difference in style between Ratner and Mann may be a huge factor.

[@axekicker78]

Red Dragon is utter shit compared to Manhunter.

[@cynthiakoehne7004]

lol to live and die in Los Angeles, heh heh, WANG CHUNG THIS TWIT! LOOL I watched this interview live, own the MM collection Brian Cox, Will Peterson, Dennis Farina, etc.etc. Yes, red garbage is what my friends call it, DON'T try to remake an epic film and rename it, BAAAAAD IDEA! Brian Cox Agrees with me, smell yourself!

[@Wilson.katie815]

What a wasted interview. The host was horrible. Such a great movie and so much to the story.

[@johnm2558]

Very good interview but Jesus, sounds like he had a right skinful the night before.

[@dreamycalm]

interviews were so serious back in the day lol not a bit of humor like today.

[@dogcatcow]

I wish William had done more movies, his movies are incredible and incurably exciting. Many happy accidents as William put it.

[@doacarnage]

You can tell by the way he tells the story, He is totally absorbed and involved in the character to the point where he is becoming emotional just talking about it.

[@georgeaye7535]

Absolutely how I saw it too, thanks

[@kev3d]

When I first saw Red Dragon, I couldn't quite figure it out...how on earth could the ridiculous Brett Ratner actually make a semi-watchable film? And yet it seemed vaguely familiar...that is, until I remembered that I had seen Manhunter as a kid. When I re-watched the movie, it all clicked; Red Dragon wasn't a good film, it was a mediocre remake of a great film, Manhunter. Sad that this film doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

[@rossdiamondthief6627]

kev3d no Red Dragon was a good film IMHO. It wasn’t as good as Manhunter, but it wasn’t trying to be as good as Manhunter. It does its own thing while still keeping the spirit of the original novel. Brett Ratner was not trying to one up Michael Mann.

[@texvanwinkle]

They're completely different stylistically, so I think it's fruitless to try compare them. What I found fascinating about it is that in terms of faithfulness to the book, Manhunter got the first two thirds right, and Red Dragon got the end. It's always puzzled me why Michael Mann went to such lengths to be faithful to the book right up until the climax and resolution, which bear little resemblance to the novel's. Red Dragon, and in particular Ralph Fiennes' portrayal of Dolarhyde, were much more in keeping with the novel.

[@jeffplissken8996]

Petersen would have made the perfect 80s Batman even with Michael Keaton

[@GeppettoProductions]

I can also see Petersen as Harvey Dent opposite Keaton's Batman.

[@gustavoalmanza2673]

He would’ve been a good Han Solo too. Furthermore Willem Dafoe would’ve been a great Luke Skywalker.

[@Blumoon_vii]

100% agree

[@PippaGrissom]

How hot is this man??? HOT HOT HOT!!!!

[@stevencrowe2450]

It's a pretty amazing accomplishment to star in two of the very best crime movies of the 80s. "Manhunter" and "To Live and Die in LA" are as good as they get.

[@tosomt5419]

he was hella cute in his 30's damn

[@axelusul]

One of my favourite actors and movies from the eighties, as good as silence of the lambs, especially Brian Cox as Lecter, he is cool as less is more and the brooding under current of the relationship between Will and Lecter.

[@twolaneasphalt4459]

Manhunter was a MUCH better fillm. Brian Cox was a MUCH scarier Hannibal Lector by far. Comparing the two films, in my opinion, Manhunt wins hands down. Brian Cox's Lector better embodies the psychotic mind of Lector. His performance is way better than Hopkin's. Cox is a terribly underrated actor.

[@jsmclin]

Petersen actually wearing a shirt for the interview that Will Graham wore in the film.

[@IntoTheMindlessAbyss]

I believe that 'Manhunter' was a lot more better and darker than 'Red Dragon'. It's actually really interesting to see, Brian Cox to play as Hannibal.

[@ZEFISH888]

Petersen is definitely the best Graham! Thought his portrayal in Manhunter was amazing.

[@wp1953]

Billy is so much more at ease being interviewed now! He always amazes me, though, how well spoken he is when he himself talks about how he was such a poor student and never went to college! He must be a delightful person to be around; I've never heard or read a bad word about him. The interviewer is annoying& they should be professional enough to spell his name correctly! I actually have DVD covers on his movies where it is spelled wrong! Wake up folks!

[@nakedchilli]

much better than lambs...

[@brianaandahl3676]

This is a better movie than the 2003 Red Dragon version with Hopkins and Norton. It is more of a psychological thriller than just another dark, creepy movie as a Silence Of The Lambs Prequal.

[@kristinfredriksson1212]

Such a phenomenal film. Tom Noonan and Brian Cox and Joan Allen entered my radar in 87. Their performances are the reason this film is in my top 10.