Is possibly the best TV movie adaptation of Harris' novel I grew up with a horror fanatic Dad who loved suspense thrillers as well as chillers. I remember us rushing to the video store once Manhunter came out and watching it together. We both agreed at the time that William Patterson was engaging and got us into the film. He was very evenly matched by Cox as his personal bane. But even then, back in the '80's we were very satisfied... that we rented it.
Back then we didn't know who Michael Mann was. We didn't care. But we both knew what Manhunter was... a really good TV Movie... or a pilot for a spin-off of Miami Vice (rather prolific of us considering CSI & CSI Miami). As far as the films Merits, there are many. Good acting, directing, cutting, and shooting are abound, but they come in isolated (yet memorable) moments and unfortunately don't add up in the end. But that's okay, because they're really engaging and, well for the most part very evenly spaced, (every 12-15 minutes) just in time to give a TV aud. a little cliffhanger to hold them through a commercial break.
About ten years ago I came across Manhunter (then re-titled "Red Dragon") on television and I was surprised at how well the film's structure translated into a two hour TV slot. It is quick and flashy enough to keep us looking at this small screen, and the over the top acting, seems very proportionally sized when looking at the action on a 27" screen.
Overall, I am still rather glad that I never saw this in a theater. There I would be forced to notice (and be annoyed by) the various technical glitches (Boom Shots, out-of-focus shots, camp acting, and Lector's prison which looks like it should be a modern art museum-annoying, not scary). If I saw this in that environment, I am sure that I would not be keeping a moderately good opinion of the film. But now, I can turn on cable, flip through the channels until I hit the USA network and watch with relish Miami Vice or Manhunter... it doesn't really make a difference to me.
AD