10 Things You May Not Know About Silence of the Lambs

Image Source: Orion Pictures

The Silence of the Lambs is a critically acclaimed 1991 psychological horror-thriller film. It was directed by Jonathan Demme and stars Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, and Scott Glenn. The movie follows the story of Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee whose task is to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a notorious serial killer, to gain insight into the mind of another serial killer known as “Buffalo Bill.”

Here are 10 fun facts about this iconic film:

1. Screen Time

Anthony Hopkins only appears on screen for a total of 16 minutes throughout the entire film. Despite this, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

2. Actress vs Actress

Jodie Foster was not the first choice for the role of Clarice Starling. Other actresses considered for the role included Michelle Pfeiffer, Meg Ryan, and Laura Dern.

3. Hello Clarice??

The famous line “Hello, Clarice” is never actually said in the film. The closest line is when Lecter says “Good evening, Clarice” during their first meeting.

4. The Book

The film was based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Harris, who also wrote the sequel, Hannibal.

5. Awards on Awards

The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $272 million worldwide and winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

6. The Poster

The iconic poster for The Silence of the Lambs, featuring a skull made of moths, was designed by the artist John Alvin. Alvin was a prolific movie poster artist who created posters for over 135 films, including E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Blade Runner, and Jurassic Park.

7. Locations

The Silence of the Lambs was shot in various locations throughout Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, Allentown, and the Western Center for Psychiatric Treatment in Canonsburg. The Western Center, a former state mental hospital, was used as the exterior and interior of the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, where Dr. Hannibal Lecter was incarcerated.

8. Buffalo Bill

The role of Buffalo Bill was originally offered to actor Brad Dourif, but he turned it down. The role ultimately went to Ted Levine.

9. Amazing Sounds

Howard Shore composed the score for “The Silence of the Lambs”, known for its eerie sound and mix of orchestral instruments and electronic music. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Score and Shore composed the music for the sequels. Shore is also known for his work on The Lord of the Rings

10. The Big 5

The Silence of the Lambs was the third film in history to win the “Big Five” Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay), following It Happened One Night (1934) and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975).