The book has been adapted once before for the 1986 film Manhunter by Michael Mann with Scottish actor Brian Cox as Dr Lecter.

"Red Dragon still provides plenty of intrigue and the occasional scare, but only diehard fans will be truly satisfied with their Hannibal fix," wrote BBC News Online's Michael Burnett.

But what do you think?

Was it worth re-making? Has Lecter become a parody of himself?

Good film, though Hopkins looks tired and not as scary as he did in Silence.
Paul Owen, England

It's not the greatest of Hannibal films, but I really did enjoy it. Made me jump at times and Ralph Fiennes is brilliant. Worth the �6 to watch.
Darren, England

Brian Cox has now been slighted a second time. As far as I'm concerned he gave the definitive performance as Hannibal Lecter in the movie Manhunter.This film was unnecessary and only half as exciting as the one Michael Mann made.
Robert del Valle, USA

Red Dragon is much more faithful to Thomas Harris' original novel than Manhunter

Stan, USA

When I first heard this was coming out my reaction was that it was just an Anthony Hopkins cash-in. It actually turns out to be a very good film. Ralph Fiennes is excellent as Mr. D.
James Hayward, UK

Yes, it was worth it. Red Dragon is much more faithful to Thomas Harris' original novel than Manhunter. Red Dragon also returns to the psychological terror of Silence rather than the campy gore of Hannibal. Plus, Anthony Hopkins is Hannibal...
Stan, USA

Just got back from seeing Red Dragon. I am a big fan of Manhunter, and have to say I still think it's the better film. Yes, Red Dragon is clearly a bigger budget movie - look at those starry names in the cast. However, despite the presence of the big names, the film does not gel as well. William Petersen was more effective than the oddly unsympathetic Edward Norton, Tom Noonan was much scarier than Ralph Fiennes, and Anthony Hopkins hams it up really REALLY badly here, compared to Brian Cox in Manhunter.

Brian Cox only had a couple of scenes, and obviously Hopkins gets a meatier role (excuse the pun), but it doesn't really work that well.

On the plus side, Emily Watson is very good (as was Joan Allen in Manhunter though) and Philip Seymour Hoffman is possibly the grubbiest, sleaziest character seen on screen in a while. Fiennes does a good job too, although with his good looks he makes an unconvincing outcast. Come on....even NON-blind girls would be after him!

The main difference in plot between Red Dragon and Manhunter is the ending. Its been years since I read the book, but I think Red Dragon is more faithful, although its a touch cliched. (That awful 80s rock music over the ending of Manhunter is a welcome absentee mind you...)

Red Dragon is an entertaining movie, but not as taut or well directed as Manhunter. And Harvey Keitel looks ANCIENT!
Cathy, UK

Red Dragon is a good movie, maybe not on par with the excellent Silence of the Lambs but much better than the Hannibal gore fest

Dean Powell, UK

A superb cast of actors in a really good movie. Hopkins is darkly amusing and Fiennes is menacing as the Dragon himself. But the star player in this well crafted ship is Norton who excels himself yet again to play a brilliant yet self doubting detective. Emily Watson transforms herself again to play an intriguing blind lady who falls for Fiennes' Dragon. An engrossing movie that will grab hold of you until the end until it shakes you free. 8.5 out of 10.
Patrick, Canada

Red Dragon is definitely a first class thriller. However I have to hand it to Ralph Fiennes who gave an outstanding performance as Francis Dolarhyde/the Tooth Fairy. His acting really centres the movie.
Emma, Canada

I have seen Red Dragon and I think it is excellent.
Ronald Black, England

Does no-one remember the original Red Dragon with Brian Cox ( I think as Hannibal Lecter), I actually think it is more scary than Silence of The Lambs or Hannibal. Why didn't they just revive this version? I can't imagine Ralph being that scary - I will have to try very hard not to think of him in his shorts in The English Patient!
Debbie Hillesdon, UAE

Red Dragon is a good movie, maybe not on par with the excellent Silence of the Lambs but much better than the Hannibal gore fest. Anthony Hopkins is Lecter, and so much better than Brian Cox was in Manhunter. athough the supporting cast of Red Dragon all held their own I did miss Scott Glenn as Jack Crawford, what happened to him, why was he not cast? All in all an enjoyable film and the last two lines took Red Dragon neatly up to Silence of the Lambs.
Dean Powell, UK

I tried to remain objective even though Manhunter is one of my favourite movies of all time but it just didn't compare

Christine, USA

I thought the film was well made but didn't have the menace of Manhunter. Fiennes wasn't frightening in the slightest and the attempt to make you pity his character made him even less of a monster. The stealing of the lines from Manhunter and then delivering them with less zeal was also an annoyance. That said, I wouldn't discourage anyone from seeing it, especially if they hadn't seen Manhunter. The ending was better in RD, but then again I did enjoy the 80s rock music in MH.
Daddy, UK

This film is a great thriller. Hopkins puts in another great performance as Dr Lecter. The rest of the cast are very good too. Although Mr Fiennes is a bit too good looking to be a social outcast!
Ali, UK

Okay, I tried to remain objective even though Manhunter is one of my favourite movies of all time but it just didn't compare. Yes, it is more faithful to the book and retains the novel's original ending but Edward Norton just doesn't have the weight to play a convincing world weary Will Graham and I have never been able to appreciate the scenery chewing of Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal.

Brian Cox played him as completely calm and rational which made the things he said all the more chilling and even with the less than 10 minutes of screen time in Manhunter had more impact for me than all three subsequent movies put together. Now if only we could convince him to do a guest appearance on CSI.
Christine, USA

Although a big fan of Manhunter, Red Dragon provides a great relief after the debacle that was Hannibal.
Anon, Malaysia

Worth the 9 bucks ... but not without some flaws. It takes an avid fan to think of Ralph Fiennes as scary, plus I failed to connect the broken mirrors, a disfigured face and Fiennes. Anthony Hopkins is a far cry from what he was in Silence of the Lambs. I somehow felt that they failed to build up the Red Dragon myth, but still the movie was enjoyable and had its moments.
Nabil Bukhari, USA

I thought it was compelling. It is a more expansive and comprehensive adaptation of the book compared to Manhunter - and more interesting as a result

Marcus D, UK

Superb. Ralph was excellent and personally I think it pipped lambs.
Matthew, Huddersfield, UK

Just seen it. Very good. better than Hannibal, not as good as S.O.L. I had my reservations, but Fiennes pulls his part off particularly well.

I think the downer in this film is Hannibal is more funny than scary. It's not like in the second film where he continuously tries to dig holes in peoples' heads. Worth watching. Can't remember if it's better than Manhunter. Too long ago for me to remember.......
Sham, UK

What I found most amusing about the film was the name Red Dragon. It certainly got me thinking how this name came about, with it being Hannibal Lecter's, (whoops) Anthony Hopkins National Welsh Emblem of Wales.
Lorraine, Wales

I thought it was compelling. It is a more expansive and comprehensive adaptation of the book compared to Manhunter - and more interesting as a result. Norton's Graham is superbly methodical and searching, Hopkins is sublimely wickedly scene stealing as ever. The biggest weakness is perhaps Ralph Fiennes' Tooth Fairy. Not convincing as a monster but then again his love scenes - his conflict with his lurch towards the metamorphosis into the Dragon - is more intruigingly complex.

The man behind the psychosis is explored and in this sense he is well cast.You do sympathise with this man which is something Norton's Graham comes to realise. All in all I think it is satisfactory. The legend of Hannibal is now cast in stone with the superb end link to The Silence of the Lambs.
Markus D, UK

Unfortunately, Red Dragon bares none of the chilling undertones and atmosphere of The Silence of The Lambs

Myrddin Gwynedd, London, UK

A rather enjoyable thriller and good addition to the Hannibal trilogy, however this fails to live up to the high standards set by Silence of the Lambs. The saving grace for this film for me has to be the astonishing performances from both Ralph Fiennes and Emily Watson. Both show why they are at the top of their game.
David McPake, Scotland

Red Dragon is an excellent film offering the suspense that Hannibal failed to provide. Great cast and as usual Ed Norton puts in a solid performance. Definitely one you'll need to make your own mind up about.
Ross McLarnon, Glasgow

Although visually feeble (the cinematography and directing are dull and unoriginal) unlike Ridley Scott's beautifully constructed, though lacking in in a good plot, Hannibal, Anthony Hopkins steals the show once again in Red Dragon.
Anon, England

I went to see Red Dragon with lowish expectations. I was surprised and found it for gripping than Hannibal though maybe not quite as good as Silence of the Lambs!
Ian Norwich, Uk

I found Red Dragon to be the most enjoyable of the four films; ironic, as it had the worst director, and Hopkins/Norton were not as suited to the roles as Cox/Peterson. Kudos therefore goes to Ted Tally for the excellent adapted screenplay.
PhilipG, UK

Unfortunately, Red Dragon bares none of the chilling undertones and atmosphere of The Silence of The Lambs. Hopkins' Lecter suffers from our over-familiarity with the character - appearing more of a camp, stand-up comic rather than foe: there are times when Lecter even borders on pantomemic behaviour. Nonetheless, Red Dragon is a cleverly crafted detective story that's worth a viewing purely for the chase. Good, but not that good.
Myrddin Gwynedd, London, UK

There is also something about seeing him in captivity that makes him all the more interesting

Steve Benson, USA

As with any sequel (or prequel), Red Dragon is a pale comparison to the original The Silence of the Lambs. But when compared to the sequel Hannibal, Red Dragon is a masterpiece. One thing that Red Dragon did that Hannibal was unable to do was to make me afraid of Hannibal Lecter. In Hannibal Lecter was silly and far too perfect to take seriously. Red Dragon portrays Lecter on a more human (or should I say inhuman) level by showing that he's not a perfect killing machine but rather an intelligent but deeply flawed madman.

There is also something about seeing him in captivity that makes him all the more interesting. I'm sure Red Dragon will win no awards, but it did succeed in bringing back one of the most likeable cannibals I've ever seen in film.
Steve Benson, USA

Being a die-hard fan (I thought Hannibal was unfairly slated on its release - yes it was different and yes it was flawed but it was nowhere near as terrible as most made out) all I can say is I enjoyed Red Dragon greatly. Anthony Hopkins was much more restrained as Lecter than in Hannibal and although Brett Ratner's direction left a lot to be desired (he lacks both Jonathan Demme's pace or Ridley Scott's style) the great source material and cast performances all gave to a movie well worth seeing. And no I've not seen Manhunter but I doubt, even if it is as good as claimed, it would detract from my enjoyment of this version.
Stuart Wood, Scotland, UK

Hannibal is the James Bond of the cannibal genre. I sincerly hope we have not got forty years with a variety of actors wearing boiler suits and threatining to eat different parts of his latest enemies anatomy

Michael Edney, UK

I don't know why I was disappointed in Red Dragon - the trailors and reviews promised that it would be another vehicle for Hannibal Lecter. I suppose I stupidly thought the filmmakers would make at least a half-hearted attempt to not turn Red Dragon into Hannibal II or something equally as ridiculous.
Theresa, US

I love Harris' writing style, but as a movie, Hannibal was a set back compared to Silence of the Lambs. Handling great details in Harris' books would give any director a hard time. Anyway I'd definitely see the movie, I'm realy curious about it.
Meelad Zakaria, Iran

I am glad to see Hollywood is keeping Anthony Hopkins in a job! As long as people keep going to see the remake of the remake, Anthony will keep phoning in the performances. Hannibal is the James Bond of the cannibal genre. I sincerly hope we have not got forty years with a variety of actors wearing boiler suits and threatining to eat different parts of his latest enemies anatomy. How shocking! Yawn, yawn. I suppose it makes a change from someone in a suit saving the world!
Michael Edney, UK

Terrible. Absolutely terrible. It staggers me that someone can make an almost scene-for-scene remake of a movie and manage to screw it up so completely. Was this ever anything but a money-making vehicle for a couple of "stars"? The audience laughed twice. Both times at Hopkins. That was the extent of the audience reaction.

The tiger scene, possibly the defining moment of Manhunter where you can actually see a man fall in love, is rendered weak and empty.

Nothing more than a by-the-numbers remake, I'm actually ashamed that I contributed any ticket money towards it.
Jonathan H, N.Ireland

I cannot see why anyone would even take the time to mention the original Manhunter - it was garbage, the acting was just plain bad. Red Dragon is a much better movie in every respect.

Anthony Hopkins does a fine job as usual, (Brian Cox, please. Brian from Magic Roundabout could do better). They must realise that we love and pay to see Hannibal.
Alan Smith, Canada

Was just a remake of Silence of the Lambs with different characters, wasn't that impressed.
Mooma, UK

I thought that Red Dragon was a great film! It stayed quite faithful to the book and I thought that the casting was excellent. I was also surprised at Hopkins's portrayal as Hannibal: I think that he managed to hide the physical fact of his age being an issue by giving a great performance yet again in a role which saw him literally eat up those that were lucky enough to share the same scene as him. Once again it shows the world what a great actor he is.

At first I thought that Fiennes would not fit the role of such a violent character, however having seen him, I thought he was equally good in that role as any that I have seen him in. Who knows, maybe there could be a film/series showing Hannibal in his early days, and if there was, I could see Fiennes fulfilling such a role.
DK, UK

I had to go straight home to watch my video copy of Manhunter...
Sarah, UK