IMDb > The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
The Silence of the Lambs
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The Silence of the Lambs (1991) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 8)
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) -- A young FBI cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)
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Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Jonathan Demme
Writers (WGA):
Thomas Harris (novel)
Ted Tally (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Silence of the Lambs on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 February 1991 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Thriller more
Tagline:
Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Brilliant. Cunning. Psychotic. In his mind lies the clue to a ruthless killer. - Clarice Starling, FBI. Brilliant. Vulnerable. Alone. She must trust him to stop the killer. more
Plot:
A young FBI cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Won 5 Oscars. Another 39 wins & 27 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(166 articles)
6 Actors That Should Probably Not Watch Their Own Movies
 (From FilmSchoolRejects. 23 November 2009, 7:16 PM, PST)
Screen Queens: Hollywood Does AIDS
 (From FilmExperience. 21 November 2009, 6:49 PM, PST)
User Comments:
It's a classic! more (666 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Jodie Foster ... Clarice Starling

Anthony Hopkins ... Dr. Hannibal Lecter

Scott Glenn ... Jack Crawford

Anthony Heald ... Dr. Frederick Chilton

Ted Levine ... Jame 'Buffalo Bill' Gumb
Frankie Faison ... Barney Matthews
Kasi Lemmons ... Ardelia Mapp

Brooke Smith ... Catherine Martin
Paul Lazar ... Pilcher
Dan Butler ... Roden
Lawrence T. Wrentz ... Agent Burroughs
Don Brockett ... Friendly Psychopath in Cell
Frank Seals Jr. ... Brooding Psychopath in Cell
Stuart Rudin ... Miggs

Maria Skorobogatov ... Young Clarice Starling (as Masha Skorobogatov)
more
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
118 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby SR
Certification:
Denmark:15 | Italy:VM14 | USA:R (certificate #30301) | Iceland:16 | Australia:MA (tv rating) | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18 | Brazil:14 | Finland:K-15 (director's cut) (video rating) | Finland:K-16 (cut video version) | New Zealand:R16 | Poland:15 | UK:15 (re-rating) (2009) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA (video rating) (special edition) | Australia:M (re-rating) | Australia:R (original rating) | Canada:16+ (Quebec) (re-rating) (2003) | Canada:18+ (Quebec) (original rating) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-18 | France:-16 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:15 (original rating) | Ireland:18 (re-rating) | Israel:18 | Japan:R-15 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 (cut) | Norway:18 | Peru:18 | Singapore:PG (video rating) | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | Singapore:R(A) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario)
Filming Locations:
Bellaire, Ohio, USA more
Company:
Orion Pictures Corporation more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
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. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: Lecter refers to the moth pupa as a "chrysalis", a term that specifically refers to the pupae of butterflies, not moths. A moth pupa is properly called a "cocoon". more
Quotes:
[first lines]
FBI instructor: Starling! Starling! Crawford wants to see you in his office.
Clarice Starling: Thank you, sir.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in The 100 Greatest Scary Moments (2003) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Real Men more

FAQ

What is the building that Lecter escapes from?
Is this film a sequel to Manhunter?
What is the song that is playing when Buffalo Bill is dancing in front of his videocamera?
more

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful.
It's a classic!, 17 July 2005
10/10
Author: nickpal1983 from New York

There is little doubt that the most memorable aspect of The Silence of the Lambs is Anthony Hopkins' incomparable performance as Lecter. Taking over for Brian Cox, who was effective, but not especially memorable, as the good doctor in 1986's Manhunter, Hopkins instantly makes the role his own, capturing and conveying the charismatic essence of pure evil. To his dying day, no matter how many roles he plays in the interim, Hopkins will forever be known for this part. (It is a credit to Hopkins' ability as an actor that this part did not result in stereotyping. His post-Silence career has been greatly varied, with roles as widely diverse as a stodgy butler in Merchant-Ivory's The Remains of the Day and an action hero in The Edge.) I can throw out any number of superlatives, but none of them do justice to this chilling performance, which I labeled as the best acting work of the '90s. Want to feel the icy fingers of terror stroke your heart? Watch this mixture of brilliant eloquence and inhuman cruelty. As portrayed by Hopkins, Hannibal is both a suave, cultured gentleman and an unspeakable fiend. He is gracious and monstrous at the same time. (Hopkins also provided one of the most quotable lines in recent film history with "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti", which was followed by an inimitable slithering slurp.)

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
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Buffalo Bill's dance scene... AutumnRed
Clarice's Father markymarkinchains
What did Thomas Harris think about the movie? avoplace
Catherine is really annoying. StageaG5
The Joker vs. Hannibal halfadonut
Is Hannibal Lecter based On a Real Person mistakoolaidman
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