The Horror genre is much-maligned amongst critics - both professional and otherwise. This has always been a sore spot with those of us who believe that the genre plays an important role in our cultural and psychological identity. We who love and work in Horror take it very seriously as an art form. It is therefore always a joy to be able to point out such a critic that one of the most universally acclaimed, award-winning films in the history of cinema is indisputably a Horror film. I speak, of course, of Jonathan Demme’s 1991 masterpiece THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS - the 'prestige' film that gleefully embraced being a Horror movie much the same way that Hannibal Lecter embraced being a monster.
More below!
THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS is based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Harris. To sum up, it tells the story of a young, ambitious FBI agent named Clarice Starling who is tasked with finding and stopping a brutal serial killer called Buffalo Bill. To get inside the twisted mind of this murderer, she consults another serial killer on the matter. His name is Hannibal Lecter, and is price for helping out is to be let into Clarice’s head. It is here that Clarice realizes just how dangerous Lecter really is.
The only way to describe Jonathan Demme’s approach to the film is that he went ’all out’. Beginning with the cast, he brought in only the best. The great Jodie Foster plays our hero, Clarice Starling as she tries to earn her stripes in the FBI, and Scott Glenn is her supportive, yet cautious supervisor. Brooke Smith is terrific as Catherine Martin, the terrified, yet strong victim in the maniac’s pit. This film however, is defined by its villains, and it boasts not one, but two incredible antagonists. Ted Levine is utterly slimy and disturbing as Buffalo Bill, but THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS really belongs to Hannibal Lecter - played to absolute perfection by Anthony Hopkins.
Already a respected actor with an impressive career, Hopkins’ hair-raising turn as Hannibal Lecter elevated him to legendary status. Hannibal Lecter has been called the greatest screen villain of all time, and it’s easy to see why. Recall his introductory moment in the film. The camera follows Clarice’s point of view down the gritty hallway of the prison, passing insane, perverted, and filthy prisoners. You can feel the degradation and mania that permeate the place. We get to Hannibal’s cell, however, and it is spotless, well-lit, and the man is standing perfectly still in the middle of the cell waiting to politely greet his guest. The image is so incongruous that it puts Clarice, and the audience, off-balance right away. Lecter’s manner is so subdued, his voice so soothing, his attitude so gentlemanly that we wonder if he really is capable of the horrible acts that he remorselessly confesses to. Any doubts to the extent of his evil later evaporate when he finally breaks out of prison. The scene is gruesome and terrifying not just because of the horrible acts Lecter is committing, but also for the blank, workmanlike expression on his face as he does it.
Jonathan Demme’s crew of pros brought it all together in the technical department as well. The photography, sound design, editing, and score are all top-notch - supporting the amazing cast and director to create one of the most widely popular Horror movies of all time. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS is so exquisitely made that it was impossible for critics to dismiss or audiences to avoid - consequently, it became the first Horror film ever to win the Oscar for Best Picture. The Oscars didn’t stop there either. Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Demme, and Ted Tally (adapted screenplay) all took home status the night the presented the Oscars in 1992.
Not to shabby for a Horror film, huh?
Parental Guide: What, are you kidding me? 18+!!
THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS fun facts -
Hannibal Lecter’s famous ‘slurping’ sound after his “Fava beans and Chianti” line was improvised on set by Anthony Hopkins.
The film was adapted into a smash off-Broadway musical comedy. “Silence; The Musical” ran to sold-out audiences in New York and L.A.
Lecter’s mocking of Starling’s southern accent was improvised by Anthony Hopkins; generating a genuine, insulted reaction from Jodie Foster.
It was Anthony Hopkins’ idea to dress Lecter in all white. He argued that it made the character more “clinical” and detached. He got the idea from his fear of dentists.
Hannibal Lecter - “A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.”
Buffalo Bill - “It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again.”
Hannibal Lecter - “Quid pro quo. I tell you things, you tell me things. Not about this case, though. About yourself. Quid pro quo. Yes or no?”