Silence of the Lambs

Some fans quote it under their breath, in that low even voice. This is Hannibal Lecter behind the cell glass, the death's head moth, Buffalo Bill and the lotion, the quiet before the screaming stopped. Silence of the Lambs shirts for the ones who kept the lambs, who caught every held breath and unblinking stare. Wear it like you already know how the dinner ends.
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When did The Silence of the Lambs come out and who directed it?
It was released on February 14, 1991, and directed by Jonathan Demme. It was based on the 1988 novel by Thomas Harris.
Who starred in the movie?
Jodie Foster played FBI trainee Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins played Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Scott Glenn appeared as Jack Crawford and Ted Levine played the killer known as Buffalo Bill (Jame Gumb).
Did it really win all five major Oscars?
Yes. At the 64th Academy Awards it swept the Big Five: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It was only the third film ever to do so.
Is it true this is the only horror film to win Best Picture?
Yes, it remains the sole horror film ever to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
How much screen time does Hannibal Lecter actually have?
Anthony Hopkins appears on screen for only about 16 minutes, yet he won Best Actor for the role.
Who else was considered to play Lecter and Clarice?
Sean Connery was approached for Lecter before Hopkins, with Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons, and Daniel Day-Lewis among others considered. For Clarice, Michelle Pfeiffer reportedly declined over the intense subject matter and Meg Ryan also turned it down.
How did Hopkins react when he first read the script?
He reportedly called his agent after reading just 10 pages and said, "This is the best part I’ve ever read."
Where did Hopkins get the idea for Lecter’s chilling voice and stillness?
He drew inspiration from HAL 9000, the computer voiced by Douglas Rain in 2001: A Space Odyssey, and played Lecter as still and unblinking.
What is the most famous line from the film?
Lecter’s line made the AFI list of great movie quotes: "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."
Where was it filmed?
It was shot primarily in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from November 1989 to March 1990. The FBI Academy in Quantico allowed filming, and some staff appeared in bit parts.
Did the movie do well at the box office?
Yes. On a $19 million budget it grossed $272.7 million worldwide, opened at number one, and stayed there for five weeks.
Was another director attached before Demme?
Yes. Gene Hackman was originally set to direct and star, but reportedly withdrew because his children wanted him to stop doing violent films.
How is Hannibal Lecter ranked among movie characters?
The American Film Institute named Hannibal Lecter the number one film villain of all time, and ranked Clarice Starling the sixth greatest film heroine.
Are there any famous songs in the movie?
Yes. "Goodbye Horses" by Q Lazzarus became a cult hit after Buffalo Bill’s mirror scene, and the score was composed by Howard Shore.
Were there sequels and spinoffs?
Yes. Hopkins returned as Lecter in Hannibal (2001) and Red Dragon (2002), Hannibal Rising (2007) followed a young Lecter, and later TV series included Hannibal (2013 to 2015) and Clarice (2021).