The Silence of The Lambs (1991)
THE MOVIE:
One of the finest films ever made is also often credited as being one of the best horror movies of all time as well. That title is mainly in part to the Best Picture Oscar that was awarded. Many people will say that horror often gets the snub come award season, but to be honest – true horror died a long time ago. What we get not is watered down PG trash, suitable for any stomach. Give me smarts! Welcome, The Silence of The Lambs; one of the smartest and well played out films ever made. Psychopath Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine) is kidnapping and murdering young women across the Midwest. Believing it takes one to know one, the F.B.I. sends Agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) to interview a demented prisoner who may provide psychological insight and clues to the killer’s actions. The prisoner is psychiatrist, Dr. Hannibal Lector (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant, murderous cannibal who will only help Starling if she feeds his morbid curiosity with details about her own complicated life. This twisted relationship forces Starling not only to confront her psychological demons, but leads her to face with a demented, heinous killer. It all leads up to one of the best film endings I have ever seen, and that’s not even the Scene Stealer!
THE SCENE:
The character of Dr. Hannibal Lector is one of the best performances ever, and earning Anthony Hopkins an Oscar for it surely has to bare some proof of that. In preparation for his role, Anthony Hopkins studied files of serial killers. Also, he visited prisons and studied convicted murderers and was present during some court hearings concerning serial killings. Only appearing on screen for 24 minutes and 17 seconds (not the shortest, that would be David Niven in Separate Tables at 15 mins and 38 seconds) Hopkins leaves behind a chilling character study that has been studied ever since. Anthony Hopkins described his voice for Hannibal Lecter as, a combination of Truman Capote and Katharine Hepburn, check out this scene.
Tags: anthony hopkins, jodie foster, Scene Stealers, the silence of the lambs
