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Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Anthony Heald, Brooke Smith ... see more see more... , Ted Levine , Diane Baker , Kasi Lemmons , Charles Napier , George A. Romero , Chuck Aber , Lamont Arnold , Obba Babatundé , Andre B. Blake , Lawrence A. Bonney , Gene Borkan , Don Brockett , Josh Broder , Dan Butler , Alex Coleman , Bill Dalzell III , Jim Dratfield , David Earle , Cynthia Ettinger , Frankie Faison , Brent Hinkley , James B. Howard , Buzz Kilman , Tommy Lafitte , Jeffrie Lane , Paul Lazar , Leib Lensky , Harry Northrup , Jim Roche , Lauren Roselli , Stuart Rudin , Rebecca Saxon , George "Red" Schwartz , Frank Seals Jr. , Masha Skorobogatov , Ron Vawter , Daniel von Bargen , Tracey Walter , Lawrence T. Wrentz , Steve Wyatt , Danny Darst , Chris Isaak , Adelle Lutz , Stanton-Miranda , Kenneth Utt , Pat McNamara , Howard Feuer , Chad Dowdell , George Michael (II) , John Hall , Bill Miller , George Michael (I)

In this multiple Oscar-winning thriller, Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, a top student at the FBI's training academy whose shrewd analyses of serial killers lands her a special assignment: the... read more read more... FBI is investigating a vicious murderer nicknamed Buffalo Bill, who kills young women and then removes the skin from their bodies. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into this case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out. Lecter does indeed know something of Buffalo Bill, but his information comes with a price: in exchange for telling what he knows, he wants to be housed in a more comfortable facility. More important, he wants to speak with Clarice about her past. He skillfully digs into her psyche, forcing her to reveal her innermost traumas and putting her in a position of vulnerability when she can least afford to be weak. The film mingles the horrors of criminal acts with the psychological horrors of Lecter's slow-motion interrogation of Clarice and of her memories that emerge from it. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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93% liked it

745,150 ratings

Critics

96% liked it

54 critics

R, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: Jonathan Demme

Release Date: February 13, 1991

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DVD Release Date: July 1, 1998

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Stats: 41,915 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (41,915)

  • ironclad1609
    March 4, 2012
    ironclad1609
    This rare case of the Academy awards recognizing a psycho thriller for most of their Oscars has become an iconic piece of film-making in the 20 years since it came out. Hopkins' performance as Hannibal the Cannibal is still terrifying. Back then there wasn't enough praise of Ted ... read moreLevine's Buffallo Bill, though. Jodie Foster created an iconic character with her Agent Starling caught between those two psychos. The calm menacing story-telling makes for a lot of the atmosphere of the film, but the script is also excellent. The conversations between the protagonist, Lector's escape, the night-vision showdown, all scenes deeply manifested into pop-culture by now. A masterpiece of the genre.
  • EightThirty
    November 23, 2011
    EightThirty
    24/11/2011 (ONLINE)
  • ajv2688
    November 21, 2011
    ajv2688
    The best horror film of all time, the most deserving of every Oscar award out there..? I wouldn't describe it that way, no. Sure it's a good mystery, but it leaves a lot out. It also isn't very disturbing or scary to a horror film fanatic. Even for 1991, this isn't as scary a... read mores it could be. Overall, it's only a good mystery film, but it did leave me thinking about what the significance of the lambs is supposed to be.
  • blacksheepboy
    November 14, 2011
    blacksheepboy
    This is a terrific modern classic that boasts one of the most iconic and fascinating monsters ever created, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, in a breathtaking psychological thriller that is magnificently written, directed and acted. A challenging character study with splendid performances by... read more Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster and Ted Levine.
  • fb1033186916
    November 1, 2011
    fb1033186916
    A psychological thrill ride that's sure to disturb you in all the right way, but the chemistry between Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins was what made this film all throughout effective and nerve wrecking.
  • fb733768972
    October 30, 2011
    fb733768972
    As difficult as it can become to watch, "Silence of the Lambs" is an extremely provacative psychological thriller that will have you either cringing in fear or deeply seduced into the mind of Hannibal and panting as you watch Buffalo Bill slowly destroy a woman's life. This film ... read moreput me on the edge of my seat and there are moments where I want to look away, but the fact that I can't, makes the film that much more realistic. Jodie Foster gives one of her better performances as trainee in the FBI and the chemistry that she has with Hopkins is breathtaking. The dialogue is sharply written, there is not a dull moment ever on screen, the violence is gruesome (yet amazing), and the cast oddly fit their roles perfectly. This is now one of my favourite psychological thrillers and is definitely one I will never forget!
  • scottgreen96
    October 29, 2011
    scottgreen96
    A scarily strong, realistic depiction of Cannibals, their motives, their minds and how they simply tick, and what makes them smile, makes us quiver with fear and jolt with adrenaline.
  • fb1664868775
    October 25, 2011
    fb1664868775
    A truly scary film, and so well made.
  • fb729949618
    September 22, 2011
    fb729949618
    5 stars because there had never been anything both horrific and thrilling before this film, and 5 stars because to this day, there still hasn't been something like it in the genre. Brilliant on all levels, this film gets me every time.
  • theunknownhobo
    August 25, 2011
    theunknownhobo
    When people ask me to define what horror is I simply utter the title of this movie. Before Jigsaw there was another slightly deranged savant with a taste for blood and his name if Hannibal Lecter. This movie is the definition of horror and every movie that has come before or sinc... read moree it, in some manner or another, attempts to walk in its colossal footsteps and nine times out of ten fails. One of the best horror movies ever made, and a pretty accurate book adaption.

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Critic Reviews

October 7, 2008
TIME Magazine

Main attraction: the intellectual tug-of-wills between Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
September 24, 2007
Todd McCarthy, Variety

The juiciest part is Hopkins,' and he makes the most of it. Helped by some highly dramatic lighting, actor makes the role the personification of brilliant, hypnotic evil, and the screen jolts with ele... Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
February 5, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

An accomplished, effective, grisly, and exceptionally sick slasher film that I can't with any conscience recommend, because the purposes to which it places its considerable ingenuity are ultimately ra... Full Review

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
March 7, 2005
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It's a bona fide classic of its kind. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

The Silence of the Lambs is pop film making of a high order. It could well be the first big hit of the year. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

For all the unbridled savagery on display, what is shrewd, significant and finally hopeful about Silence of the Lambs is the way it proves that a movie can be mercilessly scary and mercifully humane a...

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

A smart, restrained entertainment, it doesn't splash around in blood and hysteria. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

There is little doubt that the most memorable aspect of The Silence of the Lambs is Anthony Hopkins' incomparable performance as Lecter. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Adroitly directed by Jonathan Demme, it lurks about the exquisite edge of horror, before finally leaping into an unholy maw of bloody bones and self-awareness. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The popularity of Jonathan Demme's movie is likely to last as long as there is a market for being scared. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Dr. Hannibal Lecter: Ready when you are, Sergeant Pembrey.
    • Dr. Hannibal Lecter: No no no you were doing fine, you had been courteous and receptive to courtesy, you had established trust with the embarrassing truth about miggs, and now this ham-handed segue into your questionnaire tut-tut-tut it won't do.
    • Dr. Hannibal Lecter: I'm having an old friend for dinner.
    • Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb: Has the FBI learned something yet? The police around here don't seem to have the first clue. [Clarice notices a moth] I mean have you got like a description, fingerprints, anything like that?
    • Clarice Starling: No. No I don't. [Clarice unbuttons her gun holster]
    • Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb: Oh, here's that number!
    • Clarice Starling: Very good, Mr. Gordon. May I use your phone please?
    • Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb: [Gumb starts laughing] Sure you can use my phone.
    • Clarice Starling: [draws her gun] Freeze! Put your hands over your head and turn around! Spread your legs! Spread your legs! Put your hands in the back... thumbs up. FREEZE! [Gumb runs off]
    • Miggs: Look at the blood!
    • Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb: It rubs the lotion on its skin. It does this whenever it's told.
    • Catherine Martin: Please mister, let me go! My family will give you anything you want!
    • Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb: It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again.
    • Catherine Martin: Okay, okay.
    • Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb: Now, it places the lotion in the basket.
    • Catherine Martin: Please! I want to see my mom! Please...
    • Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb: [yelling] Put the fucking lotion in the basket!
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The Silence of the Lambs Trivia

  • Anthony Hopkins delivers this line at the end of what movie? "I do wish we could chat longer, but... I'm having an old friend for dinner. Bye."  Answer »
  • 'Red Dragon' and 'Man Hunter' are both prequels to the story told in which movie?  Answer »
  • Name the movie that features this quote: "What does he do, this man you seek?"  Answer »
  • fill in the blank space to create a movie title: Silence of ___ Lambs Baby ____ Four ______   Answer »
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