1) Michael Mann: From The Keep To Manhunter
The Failure
Though The Keep has its defenders, few will argue that it’s one of the least likely auteur movies out there. From Michael Mann, a crime guy usually only interested in pared-back action and characters grounded in the real world, comes this occult horror, featuring Nazis battling supernatural forces in WWII-era Europe. The film bombed hard and largely baffled critics, so it’s no surprise that it’s never even been made available on DVD or Blu-ray.
The Comeback
Though lately Mann has fallen out of favour with audiences and critics alike, post-The Keep he was looking to claw back any goodwill by getting back to what he did best. Manhunter was what he came up with, the original and best Hannibal Lecter (here spelled Lecktor) movie, and one of the most unsettling crime thrillers ever conceived. While the film’s business was almost as bad as The Keep‘s, Manhunter has since gone on to attain true classic status.