Another amazing tidbit - This film was released on Valentine's Day, 1991, of all times. And the Academy members remembered it all year to vote to give it 5 Oscars out of 7 nominations.
@@Crabitat There’s arguments on both sides. Original ideas are great, of course, but the ability to adapt one storytelling style to another *well* is incredibly hard.
In the scene at 16:10 he didn't want to make Clarice vulnerable so he can take advantage of her mind. He has a powerful contempt for humankind in general but has found Clarice's authenticity and passion commendable. When she is brave enough to be vulnerable about her lamb story in front of him it restores his faith in humanity even if it's just in this one person. It makes him like her and root for her success.
Crawford: Don't let Lecter inside your head. Lecter: Let me inside your head and I'll help you save that girl. Starling: * hands over the key * She was not her own priority.
That was my take.. He liked her, he liked her mind and assertiveness.. I think his motives we different when it started, but he changed his mind.. And that’s why he was evasive at the end about who Buffalo Bill was..
Yes! And I believe that the part where he says, "Thank you" to her for finally sharing her trauma with him, seemed to me that Lecter was not only grateful to finally encounter an honest person who treated him with respect, but to a) get to utilize his psychiatric skills with someone who he respected as well and truly wanted to help, but b) he was grateful to her for giving him the opportunity to feel again. That final scene where he's on the telephone with Clarice, seems to further indicate this because his first question was, "have the lambs stopped screaming?" as if he's doing a follow-up, checking on her well-being.
Anthony Hopkins has said he based his voice and speech pattern in this movie on the late Katharine Hepburn's. They worked together on a movie called 'The Lion in Winter' in 1968.
One of my favourite things about this movie is that, for the majority of his time on screen, Lecter is either in a cell or in restraints, but it always feels like he is in absolute control of the situation and the people he is interacting with. Give me a slasher villain after me over him any day, cause he scares the hell out of me, and I love it
All of the Hanibal movies are great in their own way, even the prequal one. The guy playing Buffalo Bill would be the stand out if Hopkins didn't have the time of his life making this film, same thing happened to Two-face in Dark knight. Also, i wonder if there's any connection in the main 2 vilains and the lead lady having the same color of eyes(more or less).
Yes. It's one of those things you may not notice at first but it sits in the back of your mind that something's not right and makes you uneasy. Also he seldom breaks eye contact and when he does it's calculated.
The touch of her hand was very significant because Lecter means Clarice no harm and in his own twisted way wants to help her heal from her childhood trauma.
I always thought that it was a demonstration of his ability to get to her, and he didn’t, which was demonstrated later in his words and actions. Also, a strange little goodbye to her.
I've seen this film 20 times and always find something new. For example; when Chilton talks about how the nurse was attacked, Hannibal's pulse never raised above 85. Later, during Lector's escape in the ambulance, the attendant last words while Hopkins rises up behind, is him stating the patient's pulse is 84. Manhunter was a great film, with Brian Cox giving a more sedate but calculating performance. The series was great too.
Caredroia I actually prefer Red Dragon over Manhunter, even though it was a shot-for-shot remake. Ralph Fiennes as Dollarhide just puts it over the top for me.
Hopkins won a best actor academy award for this performance. I believe it was the shortest amount of time seen in the movie (16 mins), for an actor to win such an award.
Lecter had very refined sensibilities and hated anything tacky or shallow. In his mind, he had a very good reason for doing everything he did. He had a connection to Starling bc of his history. That's all I'll say.
@mister me as far as I know, the cell with the plexiglass came as a result of the filmmakers having to come up with a way to photograph the exchanges between the two without the bars getting in the way and obscuring their faces.
In the funeral home scene, not only is she the only female in the room, she's also the only Fed there. Given the traditional animosity between locals and Feds, it's a pointed statement about power. Demme's signature move is direct address - in every one of his films, the actors talk directly to the camera at least once, and usually in conversation. He also always worked with cinematographer Tak Fujimoto, whose style included very deep blacks along with a blue-leaning palette.
The music playing in the background of Hannibal`s kill is Bach`s Goldberg Variations. The film won best Actor , Actress , Director , Picture & Adapted Screen Play.
The author of "Silence of the Lambs" Thomas Harris had visited the FBI´s Behavioral Analysis Unit for some inspiration. He used the real case of the notorious Ted Bundy in the book. Bundy often faked an injured arm and asked young women for help to put something in his prepared car. And then after his arrest and conviction he assisted the FBI in search of the Green River Killer, since he had been active in the same area and both murderers returned to the crime site where they did let´s call it "strange things" with the corpses. But after all Bundy was executed 1989 and the Green River Killer finally captured in 2001. Great reaction by the way
Thanks for acknowledging Harris. TSOTL was actually preceded by a book called Red Dragon, which was the basis of the movies Manhunter and Red Dragon. It's one of the finest crime novels I've ever read, and it has also exerted an influence on popular culture that most people don't appreciate. I'm pretty sure that the whole forensic criminology/"to catch a killer you have to think like one" craze that's taken place in the past couple of decades -- CSI, Criminal Minds, etc. -- can be traced back to this one book.
I know I'm a little late to the party, but what a wonderful reaction and analysis. Look at the presence and magnetism of Hopkins, and then realize the impact he had with only 16 minutes of screen time!
What! Seriously? I have seen SotL many times (I have a DVD copy myself) and the show Monk many episodes, but I never made the connection. The thought never even crossed my mind that there was anything familiar about Cpt. Stottlemeyer.
@@SimoExMachina2 Monk is one of my favorite shows, surprised me too, saw an interview with Levine about his parents seeing Silence, was understandably embarrassed
I watched both Silence of the Lambs and Monk for years, and only about a year ago did my cousin let me on that they were the same actor. My mind was blown! LOL.
They originally thought Lecter was in Calumet City. When they said that, I was watching it in a movie theater in Calumet City. The audience freaked out! It was amazing
Fantastic reaction to a fantastic movie! I love how Hannibal fades into the crowd at the end like he just disappeared into the world and is now walking among us...
I rarely watch movie reactions all the way through especially if I’ve see the movie, however I enjoy your reactions immensely. Your reactions are so thorough, you notice so many things I fail to notice. It is so entertaining, and more importantly so informative. I truly enjoy every minute of them. I look forward to seeing more of them.
Buffalo Bill is based on Ed Gein, who fashioned a "lady vest" for himself from the skinned torso a woman, and often dressed in his mother's clothes after she died. Gein was also the inspiration for Norman Bates from Psycho, and Leatherface, from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Ronald Elkins Gein did kill a woman, but most of the skins/skulls etc. he got from grave robbing. I do think that, had he gotten away with his 1st murder, he would’ve likely become a serial killer, but he probably wasn’t mentally competent enough to get away with killing multiple people, especially in such a rural area.
@@susanmaggiora4800 Very true. I remember reading that he was suspected of killing more than one woman, but there was insufficient evidence to prove the case. I think it speaks to the heinous nature of his crimes that he was executed, despite being found legally insane.
Susan Maggiora he killed 2 women. The first was about 5 or so years before the second victim that he got caught for. He did seem less interested in murder and was more focused on the physical bodies and what was done after. A deeply disturbed individual and a very rare “perfect storm” or mental illness, social isolation, deeply fundamentalist upbringing and unhealthy relationship with his mother. Very unusual, so he’s ended up the inspiration for many “serial killer” narratives
Morgan Dakin Thanks for the information. I’ve seen a couple programs on him, but it’s been awhile. I do think that he would have killed more if he’d not been caught.
This is one of those movies that I forget how amazing it is until I rewatch it. And then afterwards I'm like, "Why am I not rewatching this multiple times a year".
15:12 The scene where Clarice tells Hannibal about why she left the ranch: No music, just the sound of the wind whispering in the background, cameras close on their faces. Absolutely masterful acting and direction. Shan, I highly recommend another Anthony Hopkins movie, "Shadowlands" (1993), if you haven't already seen it. It's about C.S. Lewis (Hopkins) and the relationship he had with his wife, Joy Gresham (Debra Winger). It is one of the most beautiful movies I've ever seen. I adore Anthony Hopkins performance in it. Truly one of the best living actors currently.
I love you man. You just get it. I've seen a lot of reactors and am certainly not trying to put anyone down but some of them are just an average moviewatcher and miss a lot. Some are film students that worry too much about telling everyone about the angle of the shot or the composition over and over. You're maybe the only one I see that can both appreciate the filmmaking on a technical level but understand the intent of a director on a more psychological level. You're spot-on about the similarities I'm Buffalo Bill viewing these women as objects for his personal use and the rest of the men in the film gazing at Starling or hitting on her. It's not a coincidence that the first man to talk in the film is shot facing the camera so that it feels like he's staring directly at you. It's not a coincidence that she's always shown in the room with only men. It's not a coincidence that Multiple Miggs throws semen at her. It is a viral toxicity of masculinity he portrays, decades before the term came to mainstream fruition, and it's done so, so well.
Thank you so so much for the compliments man! This film was all about the writing for me. Of course the performances were brilliant but the actual script is just amazing! So much done thematically!
LOL..."Some are film students that worry too much about telling everyone about the angle of the shot or the composition over and over." We must be thinking of the same guy. The one who pretentiously calls himself "filmmaker" in the titles of his videos and has like three phrases he repeats over and over again.
@@sweetkiss119 I think thats the guy. He cant even pretend to give a shit. Judging from his reactions he has no idea of what he is talking about. Also for a "filmmaker" his videos are shockingly uncreative. I have seen reaction videos with really good editing or at least a good set. None of the creators had the delusions to call him/herself a filmmaker....
There are no meat-based 'desserts' (even though the phrase actually means "what he deserves' a 'desert' is an archaic form of things 'that are deserved')
The last scene between Hopkins and foster when she tells him about the Lambs was suppose to have a flashback but the director thought the acting was so great he thought it would be a crime to not show the whole seen. In fact he said Jodie is about to win a oscar for this to a crew member
When Hannibal tells the Senator "Love your suit", he's actually complimenting her skin quality, which is not only creepy in its own right, but it's a cruel reminder to her of her daughter's situation.
There's that wonderful line in the book where Lecter "sipped the pain" of the Senator. *Really* chilling, you can feel him savouring her grief and fear like a fine wine.
There are 2 versions of a prequel. Manhunter which was made first with a very realistic Brian Cox as Hannibal. Red Dragon came later with Hopkins again. They are the same story but very different approaches.
You should really read the original series of novels! The Hannibal Lecter Tetralogy: - *Red Dragon* (1981), by Thomas Harris. - *The Silence of the Lambs* (1988), by Thomas Harris. - *Hannibal* (1999), by Thomas Harris. - *Hannibal Rising* (2006), by Thomas Harris. All four of the novels are great, but *The Silence of the Lambs* and *Hannibal* are the best!
Anthony Hopkins is a really good actor...a couple of overlooked movies he was in are Alistair Maclean's When Eight Bells Toll...in which a young Anthony is the action hero in Scotish sea spy thriller...Also Juggernaut where he has a supporting role (along with Ian Holm) to Richard O'Toole's anti-terrorist trying to defuse bombs on a Cruise Liner
@@uncertainsubscriber4815 He is great...I haven't seen Magic...that's the one with the doll...sounds too creepy for me😊...If you like that I highly recommend the old school anthology horror movie...Dead Of Night...superb nightmare sequence at the end
I first saw Anthony Hopkins introducing episodes of "The Ascent of Man" (1973) on Public TV. www.imdb.com/title/tt0069733/reference He was a match for author Dr. Jacob Bronowski, so I made a mental note to watch his acting career.
18:30 --- The attention to detail in this sequence is just incredible.. What did he order for dinner? Lamb Chops with..... Fava beans... What did he do to Pembry? Ate his liver..
I got sucked into re-watching your reaction. Two or three times you mentioned Hopkins' use of sibilant S's. That reminded me of reading that one of the components he used in building his mannerisms was a lizard. Another example would be how slowly and deliberately his eyelids would move when he blinked. Best. Leo.
@@PodreyJenkin138 It's merely a semi-formal friendly-folksy sign-off. Leaving with good wishes, especially after a potentially contentious comment, just seems like a nice thing to do to remove any sting. Thanks for asking. Best. Leo.
Easily one of my favorite films, Silence of the Lambs does almost everything perfectly. When I left the cinema after viewing this movie, it was all I thought about for almost a week.
This film is absolute perfection. It's one of only 3 films to ever win all of the "Big 5" at the Oscars, and rightly so. Brilliant, brilliant film and after 30 years it is still in my top 5 favorite movies of all time.
This has probably been mentioned already, but one of my favorite pieces of trivia about this movie had to do with that directing. In the scene where Clarice tells Hannibal about how she ran away with the lamb, the script had called for there to be a flashback so we could see the Young Clarice running away. But then when Jonathan Demme was looking at the footage he shot of Foster and Hopkins, he said that he knew if he cut away from their performances, the audience wouldn’t forgive him and he’d lose them. I love that story, he was so right.
fun fact: they never actually met at all on set before their scenes so that was literally the first interaction she ever gets with Anthony when she walks around the corner and sees him standing like that just waiting for her and she admits in an interview she was actually a little unnerved around him.
It was a masterpiece. Saw it on the big screen. It won 7 Academy Awards. You were right on the awards...... it won Best Actress Foster, Best Actor Hopkins, Best Movie, Best Director Demme, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing. Yes remember this was filmed in the early 90s..... and back then women were objectified. She didn't "belong" in a man's job. They weren't thought as equal so that also explains why she was hit on by men. LOVED your detailed review. And Chris Isaak was one of the cops in the elevator.
One of Jonathan Demme's unconventional achievements as a director is Stop Making Sense - oft-regarded as one of the greatest live concert films of all time.
One of Demme's earlier movies that I thought was pretty good is Something Wild. It's one of those 'guy meets girl, she gets him into trouble' movies. I'm not saying you should do a reaction to it but just giving you an idea of another of his movies that would be worth checking out. Silence of the Lambs is his masterpiece though.
Great reaction of this all-time classic! One of only three films in Academy Awards history to win the top five awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, which you've already seen, also won these awards.
Another wonderful reaction. I know every shot of these films so well I can see it all in my head as you talk about it, but hearing your intelligent reactions is like getting to see them for the first time again. Such a joy.
Jonathan Demme also directed the groundbreaking concert movie of Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense...really a visually artistic and performance Godzilla of a movie
Great reaction! Fun fact: Ted Levine mirrored his Buffalo Bill death position (on his back with hands raised) in the movie Heat. Love this film. I also like Demme's comedic films Something Wild and Married to the Mob.
Lecter. The serial killer Poe would have written in the 19th century if he had lived. This channel is not just on the Internet. It is rapidly becoming a necessary part of it.
I never noticed before that she kept Precious!! I saw this film the first Saturday that it came out and I have watched it dozens of times and never noticed
Sir Anthony Hopkins said in an interview with the legendary journalist Dick Cavett, when discussing both his role as Hannibal Lecter and his encounter with a mandman on the streets of his neighborhood, that the best portrayal of a mad person he'd ever seen, was from Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes in 'Misery'.
Beautiful job. I do disagree with one thing you said though. I don't think Lecter was trying to use the vulnerability of Clarice. I think that, on some level, he craves the humanity that he knows he lacks and he finds it in Clarice. This is an amazing movie adaptation of one of the most brilliant books ever. You should read the book if you find the time. Again, very well done reaction. I really enjoyed watching with you.
This is a month after you posted this, so you may never see this. If you like Anthony Hopkins, you may not yet have seen 84 Charring Cross Road, it's a very good emotional movie. I saw Silence of the Lambs in theaters as a teenager. It was a chilling reminder of the dangers women should be aware of always. Thank you for your reaction as well as your detailed and astute observation and logical reasons for the reasons the director used certain tools and that those reasons paid off in your appreciation. Thanks for sharing.
I really loved watching your reaction to this movie. You were so enthusiastic and engaged throughout. And you actually pointed out a couple of things with the direction and cinematology that I hadn't picked up on--even though I've seen the movie multiple times. So thank you for letting me experience this wonderful movie again through a fresh set of eyes. :)
This was one of a few handful of movies that won the Big 5 at the Oscars: Adapted Screenplay, Actor, Actress, Director, and Best Picture. And Hopkins' performance was the shortest time on screen for a lead to win the Actor Oscar.
I love this movie. Clarice Sterling is my favorite underrated strong female characters. Anthony Hopkins is the best actor to play Hannibal Lector. The actor that plays Buffalo Bill also plays the commanding police officer in the TV series Monk with Tony Shaloub. He is great in that.
Silence of the lambs, one of the best book and movie titles ever imo, is a masterpiece. Demme made another fantastic movie right after this one, Philadelphia, and then... that was it, he never became the major director he should have become. His directing in this movie is sensational. I usually don't like shot/reverse shots with the actors looking at the camera, it rarely works for me, but he could make it work perfectly. Fujimoto's photography and the very gloomy, underrated music are equally perfect. That ending... major chills, always.
Been watching your reactions for a week or so now - nicely done, all around. When you waxed lyrically about what an amazing job Jodie Foster did portraying both a strong and inexperienced character, it brought to mind, "Wind River" (2017), starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen. The "B" story of Olsen's brand new FBI agent thrown out to a low-priority murder case in the wilds of Wyoming is compelling, and a lovely character arc, by the end. Without wanting to over-hype this movie, I will say I can wholeheartedly recommend it; it will have you on the edge of your seat at times, and absolutely gutted (in the best way) by the end. Give it a watch. (P.S. Go in as blind as possible, you will be pleasantly surprised.)
One of only three films to win the Big Five at the Oscars. Best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay, best actor in a leading role and best actress in a leading role. The two other films are It Happened One Night and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
You should watch "The Edge", from 1997. It stars Sir Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin. Stellar acting throughout, and extremely intense. I think you'd enjoy it :)
This really is an excellent adaptation of Thomas Harris's book. Jodie Foster was not the actress the suits wanted; she had to campaign hard to get the role. (If you liked Brooke Smith, who played the girl in the well, she has a magnificent lead role in _Series 7: The Contenders._ Fantastically prescient but little remembered film from 1999.)
Stumbled onto your channel man. I love your soft spoken approach and your apparent film knowledge when you analyze these movies. I wish I could go back and see many of these classics for the first time. Keep up the great work Shan!
That is such a good point about her being hit on during the movie except by her superior Jack Crawford which made the handshake at her graduation significant as he sees her as a colleague
0:42 not just any acadamy awards, it won the "big 5": best main actor, best main actress, best director, best script and best movie - which makes it only 1 of 3 movies which ever achieved that. one of the other movies was by the way "one flew over the cockoos nest" with Jack Nicholson, Danny de Vito and Christopher Lloyd which you must check out as well some time
Great reaction and analysis of this masterpiece of a film. Now you can understand how and why it swept the Oscars.....winning everything it was nominated for. They followed the book almost perfectly (which rarely happens). The one time they "strayed" from the actual story (that I can think of off-hand) was the misdirection when Starling rang the killer's doorbell. There was no real easy way to pull off the scene as it appeared in the book.....but the way they did it on screen was amazing. They essentially brought two different scenes together to make one VERY tense one. Great reaction!
I have to apologize for not knowing what your background is. I just stumbled upon this reaction of yours. But I am impressed by how knowledgeable you are in the filmmaking industry. I have learned a lot from this reaction. I have no connection with the industry, but my interests are broad. Thank you.
Clarice and Lector were never in the room together when this was filmed. I mean, she played her part and he played his part separately and they edited them together. The actors themselves were never really talking to each other. Saw a show on this. Levine is in the show called "The Bridge", a miniseries on Hulu. Excellent. and the 1986 show out beside Miami Vice called "Crime Story". Michael Mann.
Lecter drove Miggs to his death because he didn't like what Miggs had done to Clarice. He was developing a fondness for her, and a kind of protectiveness toward her. When he yelled at her to come back, and they were almost nose to nose at either side of the glass, there was almost an intimacy about them. I liked the way she started breaking the rules almost immediately: she got close to the glass, she talked about personal things and let him in her head, she accepted a towel from him -- everything she wasn't supposed to do, yet it worked out.
It’s about 540 miles from middle of West Virginia to middle of Tennessee (roughly 8.5 hour drive). Jonathan Demme directed Philadelphia (1993, starring Tom Hanks), Beloved (1998... I had to read the book in high school), the remake of The Manchurian Candidate (2004), and several Bruce Springsteen videos.
This movie is one of only 3 to ever win the Big Five Oscars (Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and screenplay).
Another amazing tidbit - This film was released on Valentine's Day, 1991, of all times. And the Academy members remembered it all year to vote to give it 5 Oscars out of 7 nominations.
Interesting. I'd think Best Original Screenplay would be more prestigious than Adapted Screenplay.
A masterpiece!
@@Crabitat There’s arguments on both sides. Original ideas are great, of course, but the ability to adapt one storytelling style to another *well* is incredibly hard.
And shan watched one flew over the cuckoos nest
In the scene at 16:10 he didn't want to make Clarice vulnerable so he can take advantage of her mind. He has a powerful contempt for humankind in general but has found Clarice's authenticity and passion commendable. When she is brave enough to be vulnerable about her lamb story in front of him it restores his faith in humanity even if it's just in this one person. It makes him like her and root for her success.
Crawford: Don't let Lecter inside your head.
Lecter: Let me inside your head and I'll help you save that girl.
Starling: * hands over the key *
She was not her own priority.
@@Serai3 Lecter actually helps Clarice, psychologically. He is giving her therapy. He could have used the process against her, but he chooses not to.
That was my take.. He liked her, he liked her mind and assertiveness.. I think his motives we different when it started, but he changed his mind.. And that’s why he was evasive at the end about who Buffalo Bill was..
@@ChrisMaxfieldActs Yes but she couldn’t be sure that was going to be the case.
Yes! And I believe that the part where he says, "Thank you" to her for finally sharing her trauma with him, seemed to me that Lecter was not only grateful to finally encounter an honest person who treated him with respect, but to a) get to utilize his psychiatric skills with someone who he respected as well and truly wanted to help, but b) he was grateful to her for giving him the opportunity to feel again. That final scene where he's on the telephone with Clarice, seems to further indicate this because his first question was, "have the lambs stopped screaming?" as if he's doing a follow-up, checking on her well-being.
Anthony Hopkins has said he based his voice and speech pattern in this movie on the late Katharine Hepburn's. They worked together on a movie called 'The Lion in Winter' in 1968.
One of my favourite things about this movie is that, for the majority of his time on screen, Lecter is either in a cell or in restraints, but it always feels like he is in absolute control of the situation and the people he is interacting with. Give me a slasher villain after me over him any day, cause he scares the hell out of me, and I love it
Excellent movie!!!! You should react to “Seven” with Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt.....another great psychological thriller!!
Even better than silence of the lambs imo!
Excellent suggestion
And scored by Howard Shore as well!
Was going to make the same suggestion.
All of the Hanibal movies are great in their own way, even the prequal one. The guy playing Buffalo Bill would be the stand out if Hopkins didn't have the time of his life making this film, same thing happened to Two-face in Dark knight.
Also, i wonder if there's any connection in the main 2 vilains and the lead lady having the same color of eyes(more or less).
Personally I think the fact while in character Sir Anthony Hopkins rarely ever blinked added a very predatory feel to his performance.
Yes. It's one of those things you may not notice at first but it sits in the back of your mind that something's not right and makes you uneasy. Also he seldom breaks eye contact and when he does it's calculated.
The touch of her hand was very significant because Lecter means Clarice no harm and in his own twisted way wants to help her heal from her childhood trauma.
It was a very human gesture too. Could interpret it as Lecter seeing her as a person.
I always thought that it was a demonstration of his ability to get to her, and he didn’t, which was demonstrated later in his words and actions. Also, a strange little goodbye to her.
Your reactions are intelligent and very intuitives. Suscribed.
🙂
Thank you so much!
Damn right. You are extremely observant and give profound detail to the tiniest shot or technique
agreed. Subscribed as well.
@@ShanWatchesMovies please react to thin red line 1998.
I've seen this film 20 times and always find something new. For example; when Chilton talks about how the nurse was attacked, Hannibal's pulse never raised above 85. Later, during Lector's escape in the ambulance, the attendant last words while Hopkins rises up behind, is him stating the patient's pulse is 84. Manhunter was a great film, with Brian Cox giving a more sedate but calculating performance. The series was great too.
Caredroia I actually prefer Red Dragon over Manhunter, even though it was a shot-for-shot remake. Ralph Fiennes as Dollarhide just puts it over the top for me.
Great observation on the BP, never noticed that!
Hopkins won a best actor academy award for this performance. I believe it was the shortest amount of time seen in the movie (16 mins), for an actor to win such an award.
Jody Foster has told that she didn't meet Anthony Hopkins while filming as himself. He stayed in character or avoided meeting her outside filming.
The Graham Norton Show: th-cam.com/video/fXUsRIcwtSo/w-d-xo.html
He scared her for real.
She also said she avoided him because she was intimidated! :D
Lecter had very refined sensibilities and hated anything tacky or shallow. In his mind, he had a very good reason for doing everything he did. He had a connection to Starling bc of his history. That's all I'll say.
Ed gein. He's the inspiration for almost every horror film.
@mister me as far as I know, the cell with the plexiglass came as a result of the filmmakers having to come up with a way to photograph the exchanges between the two without the bars getting in the way and obscuring their faces.
I live less than an hour from where Ed Gein lived. They still do not like to talk about it there.
Except for perhaps Body Snatchers. And about a million others :-)
That’s one thing you have to respect about Wisconsin. They eat what they kill.
@@footofjuniper8212 they also have used plexiglass with real serial killers in trials to “ protect “ the civilians in trials.
In the funeral home scene, not only is she the only female in the room, she's also the only Fed there. Given the traditional animosity between locals and Feds, it's a pointed statement about power.
Demme's signature move is direct address - in every one of his films, the actors talk directly to the camera at least once, and usually in conversation. He also always worked with cinematographer Tak Fujimoto, whose style included very deep blacks along with a blue-leaning palette.
I am so impressed by your analysis of everything. Most reactors just babble nonsense, but your very intelligent commentary on the film is great.
This is one of the top 10 movies I ever seen in my life. Just superbly done. Best suspense movie hands down.
Maybe his comment on the senators suit is a sly clue to Buffalo Bill?
Yeah, I've always seen it as that
The music playing in the background of Hannibal`s kill is Bach`s Goldberg Variations. The film won best Actor , Actress , Director , Picture & Adapted Screen Play.
The author of "Silence of the Lambs" Thomas Harris had visited the FBI´s Behavioral Analysis Unit for some inspiration. He used the real case of the notorious Ted Bundy in the book. Bundy often faked an injured arm and asked young women for help to put something in his prepared car. And then after his arrest and conviction he assisted the FBI in search of the Green River Killer, since he had been active in the same area and both murderers returned to the crime site where they did let´s call it "strange things" with the corpses. But after all Bundy was executed 1989 and the Green River Killer finally captured in 2001. Great reaction by the way
Thanks for acknowledging Harris. TSOTL was actually preceded by a book called Red Dragon, which was the basis of the movies Manhunter and Red Dragon. It's one of the finest crime novels I've ever read, and it has also exerted an influence on popular culture that most people don't appreciate. I'm pretty sure that the whole forensic criminology/"to catch a killer you have to think like one" craze that's taken place in the past couple of decades -- CSI, Criminal Minds, etc. -- can be traced back to this one book.
I know I'm a little late to the party, but what a wonderful reaction and analysis.
Look at the presence and magnetism of Hopkins, and then realize the impact he had with only 16 minutes of screen time!
Jonathan Demme also directed Philadelphia starring Tom Hanks. Amazing film.
Ted Levine was great as Buffalo Bill, he was also in the show Monk as Captain Stottlemeyer.
Love that show. I did a reaction to the pilot! Lol.
What! Seriously? I have seen SotL many times (I have a DVD copy myself) and the show Monk many episodes, but I never made the connection. The thought never even crossed my mind that there was anything familiar about Cpt. Stottlemeyer.
@@SimoExMachina2 Monk is one of my favorite shows, surprised me too, saw an interview with Levine about his parents seeing Silence, was understandably embarrassed
I watched both Silence of the Lambs and Monk for years, and only about a year ago did my cousin let me on that they were the same actor. My mind was blown! LOL.
@Johnny Cab And Heat!
1986 movie "Manhunter" the first time we were introduced to the character Hannibal Lecter. Great film and great soundtrack
They originally thought Lecter was in Calumet City. When they said that, I was watching it in a movie theater in Calumet City. The audience freaked out! It was amazing
that's so cool!
Fun fact: Hannibal Lecter was voted top the all-time movie villain in an American Film Institute poll.
Fantastic reaction to a fantastic movie! I love how Hannibal fades into the crowd at the end like he just disappeared into the world and is now walking among us...
I rarely watch movie reactions all the way through especially if I’ve see the movie, however I enjoy your reactions immensely. Your reactions are so thorough, you notice so many things I fail to notice. It is so entertaining, and more importantly so informative. I truly enjoy every minute of them. I look forward to seeing more of them.
Buffalo Bill is based on Ed Gein, who fashioned a "lady vest" for himself from the skinned torso a woman, and often dressed in his mother's clothes after she died.
Gein was also the inspiration for Norman Bates from Psycho, and Leatherface, from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Ronald Elkins Gein did kill a woman, but most of the skins/skulls etc. he got from grave robbing. I do think that, had he gotten away with his 1st murder, he would’ve likely become a serial killer, but he probably wasn’t mentally competent enough to get away with killing multiple people, especially in such a rural area.
@@susanmaggiora4800 Very true. I remember reading that he was suspected of killing more than one woman, but there was insufficient evidence to prove the case.
I think it speaks to the heinous nature of his crimes that he was executed, despite being found legally insane.
Susan Maggiora he killed 2 women. The first was about 5 or so years before the second victim that he got caught for. He did seem less interested in murder and was more focused on the physical bodies and what was done after. A deeply disturbed individual and a very rare “perfect storm” or mental illness, social isolation, deeply fundamentalist upbringing and unhealthy relationship with his mother. Very unusual, so he’s ended up the inspiration for many “serial killer” narratives
Morgan Dakin Thanks for the information. I’ve seen a couple programs on him, but it’s been awhile. I do think that he would have killed more if he’d not been caught.
Buffalo Bill was also based on Ted Bundy and another killer.
This is one of those movies that I forget how amazing it is until I rewatch it. And then afterwards I'm like, "Why am I not rewatching this multiple times a year".
15:12 The scene where Clarice tells Hannibal about why she left the ranch: No music, just the sound of the wind whispering in the background, cameras close on their faces. Absolutely masterful acting and direction.
Shan, I highly recommend another Anthony Hopkins movie, "Shadowlands" (1993), if you haven't already seen it. It's about C.S. Lewis (Hopkins) and the relationship he had with his wife, Joy Gresham (Debra Winger). It is one of the most beautiful movies I've ever seen. I adore Anthony Hopkins performance in it. Truly one of the best living actors currently.
I love you man. You just get it. I've seen a lot of reactors and am certainly not trying to put anyone down but some of them are just an average moviewatcher and miss a lot. Some are film students that worry too much about telling everyone about the angle of the shot or the composition over and over.
You're maybe the only one I see that can both appreciate the filmmaking on a technical level but understand the intent of a director on a more psychological level.
You're spot-on about the similarities I'm Buffalo Bill viewing these women as objects for his personal use and the rest of the men in the film gazing at Starling or hitting on her. It's not a coincidence that the first man to talk in the film is shot facing the camera so that it feels like he's staring directly at you. It's not a coincidence that she's always shown in the room with only men. It's not a coincidence that Multiple Miggs throws semen at her. It is a viral toxicity of masculinity he portrays, decades before the term came to mainstream fruition, and it's done so, so well.
Thank you so so much for the compliments man! This film was all about the writing for me. Of course the performances were brilliant but the actual script is just amazing! So much done thematically!
100%
LOL..."Some are film students that worry too much about telling everyone about the angle of the shot or the composition over and over." We must be thinking of the same guy. The one who pretentiously calls himself "filmmaker" in the titles of his videos and has like three phrases he repeats over and over again.
@@sweetkiss119 I think thats the guy. He cant even pretend to give a shit. Judging from his reactions he has no idea of what he is talking about. Also for a "filmmaker" his videos are shockingly uncreative. I have seen reaction videos with really good editing or at least a good set. None of the creators had the delusions to call him/herself a filmmaker....
masculinity is not toxic.
25:40, Dr. Chilton is gonna get his just desserts, if you get my meaning.
Actually, the expression is "just deserts", if you care to know.
I think he's going to be more like the appetizer.
There are no meat-based 'desserts' (even though the phrase actually means "what he deserves' a 'desert' is an archaic form of things 'that are deserved')
The last scene between Hopkins and foster when she tells him about the Lambs was suppose to have a flashback but the director thought the acting was so great he thought it would be a crime to not show the whole seen. In fact he said Jodie is about to win a oscar for this to a crew member
Such great close up camera work when they switch back and forth between Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster when she talks about her childhood
When Hannibal tells the Senator "Love your suit", he's actually complimenting her skin quality, which is not only creepy in its own right, but it's a cruel reminder to her of her daughter's situation.
There's that wonderful line in the book where Lecter "sipped the pain" of the Senator. *Really* chilling, you can feel him savouring her grief and fear like a fine wine.
There are 2 versions of a prequel.
Manhunter which was made first with a very realistic Brian Cox as Hannibal.
Red Dragon came later with Hopkins again.
They are the same story but very different approaches.
You should really read the original series of novels! The Hannibal Lecter Tetralogy:
- *Red Dragon* (1981), by Thomas Harris.
- *The Silence of the Lambs* (1988), by Thomas Harris.
- *Hannibal* (1999), by Thomas Harris.
- *Hannibal Rising* (2006), by Thomas Harris.
All four of the novels are great, but *The Silence of the Lambs* and *Hannibal* are the best!
thanks for the recommendations! I'll definitely look into those as soon as I'm done reading The Expanse series!
Anthony Hopkins is a really good actor...a couple of overlooked movies he was in are Alistair Maclean's When Eight Bells Toll...in which a young Anthony is the action hero in Scotish sea spy thriller...Also Juggernaut where he has a supporting role (along with Ian Holm) to Richard O'Toole's anti-terrorist trying to defuse bombs on a Cruise Liner
I also love him in the movies Magic and The Remains of the Day.
@@uncertainsubscriber4815 He is great...I haven't seen Magic...that's the one with the doll...sounds too creepy for me😊...If you like that I highly recommend the old school anthology horror movie...Dead Of Night...superb nightmare sequence at the end
I first saw Anthony Hopkins introducing episodes of "The Ascent of Man" (1973) on Public TV. www.imdb.com/title/tt0069733/reference He was a match for author Dr. Jacob Bronowski, so I made a mental note to watch his acting career.
It's such a pleasure to watch these old movies with such a knowledgeable lover of film. Thank you for these reactions!
I really appreciate your compliments, sub and support!
18:30 --- The attention to detail in this sequence is just incredible.. What did he order for dinner? Lamb Chops with..... Fava beans... What did he do to Pembry? Ate his liver..
I got sucked into re-watching your reaction. Two or three times you mentioned Hopkins' use of sibilant S's. That reminded me of reading that one of the components he used in building his mannerisms was a lizard. Another example would be how slowly and deliberately his eyelids would move when he blinked. Best. Leo.
He barely blinked throughout the entire runtime Leo, it was very unsettling!
@@ShanWatchesMovies As it was meant to be. Got to get back to it, we've got over two feet and rising. At least it's light and fluffy today. Best. Leo.
@@PodreyJenkin138 It's merely a semi-formal friendly-folksy sign-off. Leaving with good wishes, especially after a potentially contentious comment, just seems like a nice thing to do to remove any sting. Thanks for asking. Best. Leo.
Shan, great review, great reaction. You hit every nail that I also feel about this film.
Thanks a ton :)
Easily one of my favorite films, Silence of the Lambs does almost everything perfectly. When I left the cinema after viewing this movie, it was all I thought about for almost a week.
This film is absolute perfection. It's one of only 3 films to ever win all of the "Big 5" at the Oscars, and rightly so. Brilliant, brilliant film and after 30 years it is still in my top 5 favorite movies of all time.
I've never heard a TH-camr tell their audience to dislike the video if they didn't like it. Had to like it immediately.
This has probably been mentioned already, but one of my favorite pieces of trivia about this movie had to do with that directing. In the scene where Clarice tells Hannibal about how she ran away with the lamb, the script had called for there to be a flashback so we could see the Young Clarice running away.
But then when Jonathan Demme was looking at the footage he shot of Foster and Hopkins, he said that he knew if he cut away from their performances, the audience wouldn’t forgive him and he’d lose them.
I love that story, he was so right.
Buffalo Bill: "I think they left a card or something, come on in..."
Shan: "Oh, don't go in, dude!" LOL Greatness :)
One of the greatest dialog-shots in cinema history, Clarice in front of the glass and Lecters face mirrored in the glass. Great work!
fun fact: they never actually met at all on set before their scenes so that was literally the first interaction she ever gets with Anthony when she walks around the corner and sees him standing like that just waiting for her and she admits in an interview she was actually a little unnerved around him.
It was a masterpiece. Saw it on the big screen. It won 7 Academy Awards. You were right on the awards...... it won Best Actress Foster, Best Actor Hopkins, Best Movie, Best Director Demme, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing. Yes remember this was filmed in the early 90s..... and back then women were objectified. She didn't "belong" in a man's job. They weren't thought as equal so that also explains why she was hit on by men. LOVED your detailed review. And Chris Isaak was one of the cops in the elevator.
in my opinion, any aspiring actor needs to watch Anthony
in this film, he is just so well rounded and so "THERE"
what a masterpiece
You should watch The Remains of the Day if you haven't already. Some of Hopkins finest work.
Shaddowlands is also great.
Thumbs up from me. Mom's favorite movie. She passed away on March 25th, 2020. Peace out from the Southern Tip of Vancouver Island, B.C. CANADA
This has to be one of my favorite films of all time!!! May I also suggest the movie Unforgiven? Also an Academy award winner...you will love it!!!
One of Jonathan Demme's unconventional achievements as a director is Stop Making Sense - oft-regarded as one of the greatest live concert films of all time.
One of Demme's earlier movies that I thought was pretty good is Something Wild. It's one of those 'guy meets girl, she gets him into trouble' movies. I'm not saying you should do a reaction to it but just giving you an idea of another of his movies that would be worth checking out. Silence of the Lambs is his masterpiece though.
Great reaction of this all-time classic! One of only three films in Academy Awards history to win the top five awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, which you've already seen, also won these awards.
And for the third, you have to go all the way back to 1935 for Frank Capra's "It Happened One Night".
I like how you are obviously such a huge cinema fan, but also so highly educated in filmmaking. Your reactions fascination me. Well done...
Another wonderful reaction. I know every shot of these films so well I can see it all in my head as you talk about it, but hearing your intelligent reactions is like getting to see them for the first time again. Such a joy.
Thank you so much Tim! I really appriciate it!
Jonathan Demme also directed the groundbreaking concert movie of Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense...really a visually artistic and performance Godzilla of a movie
Great reaction! Fun fact: Ted Levine mirrored his Buffalo Bill death position (on his back with hands raised) in the movie Heat. Love this film. I also like Demme's comedic films Something Wild and Married to the Mob.
Thank you Lara!
Yes, someone in the comments pointed that out! I wasn't aware of the parallels! I'll definitely be checking out Demme's other films!
watching your reactions of these movies takes me back to them .. ty for that and keep up the good work.
Thanks Carl, I really appreciate it :)
Lecter. The serial killer Poe would have written in the 19th century if he had lived.
This channel is not just on the Internet. It is rapidly becoming a necessary part of it.
I never noticed before that she kept Precious!! I saw this film the first Saturday that it came out and I have watched it dozens of times and never noticed
Sir Anthony Hopkins said in an interview with the legendary journalist Dick Cavett, when discussing both his role as Hannibal Lecter and his encounter with a mandman on the streets of his neighborhood, that the best portrayal of a mad person he'd ever seen, was from Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes in 'Misery'.
Glad i saw it in the theatre in 91. Seen it about 10 times now. Last year i saw in the cinema again. Still a masterpiece.
Quite simply, a modern classic. The acting, screenplay, directing, editing . . . where do I start?
Beautiful job. I do disagree with one thing you said though. I don't think Lecter was trying to use the vulnerability of Clarice. I think that, on some level, he craves the humanity that he knows he lacks and he finds it in Clarice.
This is an amazing movie adaptation of one of the most brilliant books ever. You should read the book if you find the time.
Again, very well done reaction. I really enjoyed watching with you.
This is a month after you posted this, so you may never see this.
If you like Anthony Hopkins, you may not yet have seen 84 Charring Cross Road, it's a very good emotional movie.
I saw Silence of the Lambs in theaters as a teenager. It was a chilling reminder of the dangers women should be aware of always.
Thank you for your reaction as well as your detailed and astute observation and logical reasons for the reasons the director used certain tools and that those reasons paid off in your appreciation.
Thanks for sharing.
I really loved watching your reaction to this movie. You were so enthusiastic and engaged throughout. And you actually pointed out a couple of things with the direction and cinematology that I hadn't picked up on--even though I've seen the movie multiple times. So thank you for letting me experience this wonderful movie again through a fresh set of eyes. :)
This was one of a few handful of movies that won the Big 5 at the Oscars: Adapted Screenplay, Actor, Actress, Director, and Best Picture. And Hopkins' performance was the shortest time on screen for a lead to win the Actor Oscar.
I love this movie. Clarice Sterling is my favorite underrated strong female characters. Anthony Hopkins is the best actor to play Hannibal Lector. The actor that plays Buffalo Bill also plays the commanding police officer in the TV series Monk with Tony Shaloub. He is great in that.
Fun fact: The actor who plays 'Buffalo Bill' (Ted Levine) is the same actor who played Captain Stottlemeyer on the TV show 'Monk'.
"Fargo", "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", "Gattica" and "Road to Perdition" are a few movies worth checking out.
This is an excellent film to react too and such great performances.
it was an amazing film! Anthony Hopkins in particular!
@@ShanWatchesMovies Go watch "Silence of the ham", it is even better =)
Silence of the lambs, one of the best book and movie titles ever imo, is a masterpiece. Demme made another fantastic movie right after this one, Philadelphia, and then... that was it, he never became the major director he should have become. His directing in this movie is sensational. I usually don't like shot/reverse shots with the actors looking at the camera, it rarely works for me, but he could make it work perfectly. Fujimoto's photography and the very gloomy, underrated music are equally perfect. That ending... major chills, always.
Been watching your reactions for a week or so now - nicely done, all around.
When you waxed lyrically about what an amazing job Jodie Foster did portraying both a strong and inexperienced character, it brought to mind, "Wind River" (2017), starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen. The "B" story of Olsen's brand new FBI agent thrown out to a low-priority murder case in the wilds of Wyoming is compelling, and a lovely character arc, by the end.
Without wanting to over-hype this movie, I will say I can wholeheartedly recommend it; it will have you on the edge of your seat at times, and absolutely gutted (in the best way) by the end. Give it a watch. (P.S. Go in as blind as possible, you will be pleasantly surprised.)
The photographer of this film, Tak Fujimoto, also shot The Sixth Sense, which is another visual masterpiece if you haven't seen it.
I have when i was 14 or 15. The twist really left me scared for a while! Fantastic film!
One of my favourite films of all time.
Loved your reaction. Fantastic analysis while watching.
thank you! glad you enjoyed!
@@ShanWatchesMovies Subscribed as well. I'll check out some other reactions.
24:42 The girl bringing the dog with her... It made me smile. :)
One of my favourites and a rare film where the female lead is strong and believable. Your observations are excellent.
The guy that plays buffalo bill(Ted Levine) in this movie also plays the detective(Leland Stottlemeyer) in the Tv series Monk.
One of only three films to win the Big Five at the Oscars. Best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay, best actor in a leading role and best actress in a leading role. The two other films are It Happened One Night and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
It happened one night
You should watch "The Edge", from 1997. It stars Sir Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin. Stellar acting throughout, and extremely intense. I think you'd enjoy it :)
This really is an excellent adaptation of Thomas Harris's book. Jodie Foster was not the actress the suits wanted; she had to campaign hard to get the role. (If you liked Brooke Smith, who played the girl in the well, she has a magnificent lead role in _Series 7: The Contenders._ Fantastically prescient but little remembered film from 1999.)
Stumbled onto your channel man. I love your soft spoken approach and your apparent film knowledge when you analyze these movies. I wish I could go back and see many of these classics for the first time. Keep up the great work Shan!
That is such a good point about her being hit on during the movie except by her superior Jack Crawford which made the handshake at her graduation significant as he sees her as a colleague
0:42 not just any acadamy awards, it won the "big 5": best main actor, best main actress, best director, best script and best movie - which makes it only 1 of 3 movies which ever achieved that. one of the other movies was by the way "one flew over the cockoos nest" with Jack Nicholson, Danny de Vito and Christopher Lloyd which you must check out as well some time
I have already reacted to One Flew Over The Cuckoo's nest. It on my channel, do check it out! Fantastic film!
True, there is not one second of this film that falls short of perfection.
The naked Bill dance: "That is just messed up"
One of the best films ever!!! Happy to see you appreciated it!
Great reaction and analysis of this masterpiece of a film. Now you can understand how and why it swept the Oscars.....winning everything it was nominated for.
They followed the book almost perfectly (which rarely happens). The one time they "strayed" from the actual story (that I can think of off-hand) was the misdirection when Starling rang the killer's doorbell.
There was no real easy way to pull off the scene as it appeared in the book.....but the way they did it on screen was amazing. They essentially brought two different scenes together to make one VERY tense one.
Great reaction!
No, actually, the doorbell scene was pretty much exactly the same as it was in the book. They did change other things, though.
I have to apologize for not knowing what your background is. I just stumbled upon this reaction of yours. But I am impressed by how knowledgeable you are in the filmmaking industry. I have learned a lot from this reaction. I have no connection with the industry, but my interests are broad. Thank you.
“Goodbye Horses” by Q Lazzarus
Great song.
Play it again, Jame Gumb!: th-cam.com/video/yKFaGDrOfrI/w-d-xo.html
absolute tune!! it's a shame that she never quite got the recognition she deserved. everyone thought she was a man
Clarice and Lector were never in the room together when this was filmed. I mean, she played her part and he played his part separately and they edited them together. The actors themselves were never really talking to each other. Saw a show on this. Levine is in the show called "The Bridge", a miniseries on Hulu. Excellent. and the 1986 show out beside Miami Vice called "Crime Story". Michael Mann.
Outstanding reaction and insightful comments!
Lecter drove Miggs to his death because he didn't like what Miggs had done to Clarice. He was developing a fondness for her, and a kind of protectiveness toward her. When he yelled at her to come back, and they were almost nose to nose at either side of the glass, there was almost an intimacy about them. I liked the way she started breaking the rules almost immediately: she got close to the glass, she talked about personal things and let him in her head, she accepted a towel from him -- everything she wasn't supposed to do, yet it worked out.
It’s about 540 miles from middle of West Virginia to middle of Tennessee (roughly 8.5 hour drive).
Jonathan Demme directed Philadelphia (1993, starring Tom Hanks), Beloved (1998... I had to read the book in high school), the remake of The Manchurian Candidate (2004), and several Bruce Springsteen videos.
I’ve already seen your reaction to this…but it’s so good. The gasps ugh it’s awesome and you have such amazing insight
One of my favorite thrillers of all time, its probably one of the best. Great reaction, man!