The Silence Of The Lambs, An Anthony Hopkins Movie

The Silence of The Lambs is the film that people universally associate with Sir Anthony Hopkins, as Hannibal-the-Cannibal, Dr Lecter. Released in 1991, Hopkins achieved his first ever Oscar for Best Actor, at the age of 54. The movie itself scooped up Oscar awards in all five categories and achieved worldwide box office success, propelling Anthony Hopkins to legendary status and the eventual accomplishment of his boyhood aspiration to be a Hollywood star.

The best-selling book The Silence of The Lambs by Thomas Harris was the inspiration for this film, directed by Jonathan Demme. Hopkins plays the monster psychopathic serial killer Dr Hannibal Lecter who is a lifer incarcerated in a high security Baltimore jail for his heinous offences; carving up nine people, cooking and consuming his favourite organs. Dr Lecter, prides himself on having once eaten the liver of a census taker with some fava beans and a nice glass of Chianti. Formerly an eminent psychiatrist, Dr Lecter is an clever, refined person, portraying humour, charm and supreme control, making his spates of violence yet more shocking to the viewer.

A shocking well-executed, up to date suspense thriller where Hopkins gives a strong performance, opposite an equally excellent Jodie Foster. It is a dark movie with the menacing background music helping to build the facet of suspense step by step, demanding to watch at times with its' disturbing scenes, yet impossible to turn off and an ending that leaves many doors open. A modern classic. It is difficult to believe Hopkins only has a total of 16 minutes movie time in this picture but that is what Hopkins is so skilled at, with him, less is without doubt more.

Jodie Foster plays the FBI new agent, Clarice Starling, who is detailed to a case to hunt down another dangerous serial killer who has taken hostage Catherine, the child of US Senator Ruth Martin. Agent Starling is keen to prove her worth to boss Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) and having the opinion that Dr Lecter has the answer to catch the killer, Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), on the foundation that 'it takes one to know one', she embarks out on a path to try and achieve Hannibal's faith, visiting him in the asylum. A risky exchange and rapport develops between Dr Lecter and Clarice, one of tutor-apprentice, where Lecter permanently has the upper hand paradoxically, in spite of being behind bars. Intelligence games concerning the two are central to the film, with the smart Clarice with her deliberate southern intonation portraying innocence and vulnerability along with her single-minded dedication and ambition to do well in her male dominated professional life. Hopkins portrayal of the notorious Dr Lecter is most amusing, he manages most convincingly to keep Lecter's dignity in the lonely, spartan jail cell where he is imprisoned for his horrific offences. His 'matter-of-fact' tone, witty sarcasm and magnetic charm enthralls as he gradually manipulates the youthful FBI trainee, at all times keeping one step in front of her, delving deep into her awareness. Hopkins once said "I am able to play monsters well. I understand monsters. I understand madmen". Hopkins talks in riddles to the young FBI agent, riddles that result in positive leads for Starling. Lecter however, makes sure Starling gets him the transfer he desires to new and improved accommodation with more freedom.

Buffalo Bill, the serial killer wanted by agent Starling, is a sexual deviant who skins his female victims. Dr Lecter was a former surgeon of this disturbing individual. There is one particular scene where you are sure to be on the edge of your seat rooting for agent Clarice Starling as she is chased by Buffalo Bill.

'The Silence of The Lambs' is the first of the trilogy where Anthony Hopkins plays Dr Lecter, the other two being 'Hannibal' (2001) and 'Red Dragon' (2002), although 'Red Dragon' was in reality the first of the three books written by Thomas Harris in 1981 and the sequel being 'Silence of the Lambs' available in 1988 and then 'Hannibal' in 1999. The book 'Hannibal Rising' written again by Harris in 2005 was also made into a film, about the formative years of Dr Hannibal Lecter.