Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
The Silence of the Lambs
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

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

Photos (see all 88 | slideshow) Videos
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.

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 9% in popularity this week. See rank & trends 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
Awards:
Won 5 Oscars. Another 39 wins & 27 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(117 articles)
Psyche - Until The Shadows (Musick Review)
 (From Fangoria. 3 July 2009, 12:00 PM, PDT)

Lambs Named Best Thriller
 (From WENN. 3 June 2009, 12:00 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
A Story And A Character That You Can't Forget more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

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 (directors cut, video realese) | 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

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The events in this film occur after the events in Manhunter (1986). Although there are several characters common to both films, there are only two actors who appear in both movies. Both actors play different characters in both movies. Frankie Faison plays Lt. Fisk in Manhunter and Barney in Silence of the Lambs, and Dan Butler plays an FBI fingerprint expert in Manhunter and an entomologist in Silence of the Lambs. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: West Virginia State Police uniforms are not brown as shown in the movie. The uniforms are Forest Green and have been that way since the early 1900's. Also the WV State Police vehicles are not Grey as shown in the movie, they are Blue with Old Gold and the State Seal is the emblem on the door. The WV DPS (State Police) were originally asked by the director to have some of the Troopers in the movie, but he did not like the colors of their uniforms and when he requested they change to the Brown uniforms, the Troopers rightfully refused and left the movie set with their cruisers and proper uniforms. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
FBI instructor: Starling! Starling! Crawford wants to see you in his office.
Clarice Starling: Thank you, sir.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Jerry Seinfeld/Annie Lennox (#17.18)" (1992) more
Soundtrack:
Lanmò Nan Zile A more

FAQ

Is this film a sequel to Manhunter?
What is the song that is playing when Buffalo Bill is dancing in front of his videocamera?
When does the story take place?
more
48 out of 57 people found the following comment useful:-
A Story And A Character That You Can't Forget, 17 January 2007
10/10
Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States

I'll never forget my first viewing of this movie at the theater and will always look back fondly on it for one reason: helping me quit smoking cigarettes.

I read the book first, was fascinated by it, and couldn't wait for the film to come out. That was the day I picked to quit smoking and I knew this movie would take my mind off that matter. I was expecting an intense movie and I got it. Little did I realize how well-received this film would be and how it propelled Anthony Hopkins to super-stardom.

Although entertaining, this is not always a fun movie to watch, especially with the scenes with Ted Levine who plays the killer, "Buffalo Bill." "Bill" and his kidnapped young woman are sick and profane people, respectively, and their scenes are very unpleasant. This movie is not for the squeamish with those and other scenes involving the infamous Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Hopkins). There also is some extreme crudeness in the jail/dungeon where Lecter and other inmates are held.

Jodie Foster is excellent as the FBI agent "Clarice Starling" and Scott Glenn is low-key and effective as "Jack Crawford." A major part of the film is psychological more than violent as Lecter constantly taunts "Clarice," while she tries her best to manipulate him to help with a case. The by-play between the two is a game in itself.

Hopkins, however, is the actor people remember best from this movie. His portrayal of the refined-yet-cannibalistic serial killer-doctor is one viewers will never forget. I've enjoyed watching him in the sequels, too. The looks on his face, his fascinating vocabulary with intelligent sarcasm and frankness, never ceases to entertain.

"Silence Of The Lambs" has turned into a modern-day "classic." If by some odd chance you have never seen this movie, be warned it is a dark, difficult story to watch at times....but it will get your mind off other things.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Jodie Foster OMG! clash_city-rocker-1
Great movie,but there're few silly mistakes that could've been avoided laila_is_beauty
Any flaws at all? ldgreeny
HEATH LEDGER AS AN EXTRA?????? cutterjive
Did anyone think that Hannibal was hot? ladyofangels22
Did anyone see Clerks II before they saw this? thebench18
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Red Dragon Tightrope Hannibal Batman Begins Giallo a Venezia
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Crime section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.