Dr. Hannibal Lecter is a character in a series of suspense novels by Thomas Harris.
Lecter was introduced in the 1981 thriller novel Red Dragon as a forensic psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer. The novel and its sequel, The Silence of the Lambs, feature Lecter as one of the primary antagonists after the two serial killers in both novels.
In February 2012, NBC produced Hannibal, a television adaptation of Red Dragon, written and produced by Bryan Fuller. Mads Mikkelsen plays Lecter, opposite Hugh Dancy as Will Graham and Gillian Anderson as Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier.
Fuller commented on Mikkelsen’s version of Lecter: “What I love about Mads’ approach to the character is that, in our first meeting, he was adamant that he didn’t want to do Hopkins or Cox. He talked about the character not so much as ‘Hannibal Lecter the cannibal psychiatrist’, but as Satan – this fallen angel who’s enamored with mankind and had an affinity for who we are as people, but was definitely not among us – he was other.”
The TV series explores the early relationship between the renowned psychiatrist and his patient, a young FBI criminal profiler, who is haunted by his ability to empathise with serial killers.
The episodes are aptly named after courses of a meal – Antipasto, Primavera, Secondo and Aperitivo (the names of the first 4 episodes).
In the first episode (as a teaser) Hannibal having eluded capture from the FBI settles down in Italy with Bedelia Du Maurier under assumed identities. However, Bedelia is ever uneasy about her company with Hannibal just as a kink presents itself in his new alias.
This series has several highlights. Firstly the acting. As mentioned earlier Mads Mikkelsen is suitably nefarious as Lecter. He broods, he is mysterious and undoubtably unpredictable. Being the central character he has to be exactly right to make the series work. He is!
Hugh Dancy (who recommended Mikkelsen for the role of Lecter) turns in a complex performance. He comes across as a highly intelligent but often conflicted man, tormented by his own imagination.
Gillian Anderson, well known for her role in The X Files, plays Lecter’s ex-psychologist who has doubts about living with him. She is tortured and vulnerable, a perfect partner for Lecter to control.
Special mention should be made of the music and filming in this series. The music features many famous moody classical works that add to the atmosphere. The colour palette of the filming mirrors the blood and gore that features so prominently.
This is not the season to start watching Hannibal. The story is convoluted and depends on seeing the first two seasons. However, if you are a fan of seasons 1 and 2, you will love it. It builds in intensity and the episodes develop!
Reviewed by Barry Hill
Twitter: @kinesguy
Rating out of 10: 8
Hannibal Season 3 is out now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital.
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