“Having an old friend for dinner” one of the greatest lines ever.

That moment when Starling says, “No. No you ate yours” is the exact moment Lecter thinks, “Oh! You’re not afraid to go /there/ within the first five minutes. Oh, I like you.” Their relationship starts there and develops through the rest of the movie and deepens in the book series.

Now, imagine seeing this in the theater and as the lights come up right behind you, Hannibal's voice says, "How did you enjoy the movie?" --- You turn around and are face to face with Sir Anthony Hopkins. Legend says he did this several times when the film was in release.. He would sneak in after the movie started and would sit behind someone just to surprise them at the end..

I hold Lecter's escape as the greatest cinematic escape of all time. SUCH a great escape. I also taught this film in Directing and Horror classes for a decade so I always get extra excited when I see reactors watch it! :)

If you think Hannibal is creepy/freaky/intimidating filling up your computer screen, imagine how it was for those of us who saw his unblinking face 20 feet tall in the movie theater🥺

A major point in the book is that Clarice constantly feels "looked at" by men. The choice to have so many direct to camera shots is to put you more closely in Clarice's shoes.

27:15 - The reaction I am always waiting for. And you guys did not disappoint in the slightest! "He wore this guy's face!"

Actually, Hannibal Lecter’s first movie portrayal was in the 1986 movie “Manhunter” which was remade in 2002 as “Red Dragon” starring Edward Norton. The movie is a Prequel to “Silence of the Lambs”. I highly recommend both as “Red Dragon” in an almost scene-for-scene remake of “Manhunter” with a different ending.

"I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti" Nice medical joke for his own giggles. 3 things you should not consume on psych meds - liver, beans and wine. He was saying straight out as a psychiatrist he went off his meds

Foster didn’t meet Hopkins until their first day together, on set and in character. This was done to keep the tension between them as realistic as possible

Hey George. First movie with Hannibal Lecter is actually Manhunter. Which is often overlooked. It's a good movie but this film most ppl know the character from

I was 41 in 1991 when this was released. Went the day after it opened and had to sit in the third row. Those close-ups were INSANE! The movie is one of only three films that have won the Big Five Oscars - Actor, Actress, Screenplay, Director and Picture.

"Red Dragon" is a prequel. There IS a sequel, called "Hannibal". Clarice is recast, but Hopkins reprises his role. Ray Liotta is also memorable. Hopkins also appears in "Red Dragon", and with Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes and Phillip Semour Hoffman in supporting roles the movie doesn't disappoint. Both are worth a reaction video.

Like how George was like "Oh, the tuck...(nice technique)" :p

Lector gave Starling what she wanted most: "advancement, of course." So instead of feeding her the solution, he guided her along. Mentoring her in how to reason through evidence, so that she would advance in her career going forward. Lector took a liking to her because of the mutual trust/respect during the initial encounter. Lector later called her a "clever girl" stating to Starling "you don't know how close you are to catching" Buffalo Bill. Later, Lector quipped, "People will say we're in love" and "the world is more interesting with you in it." For all those reasons, Lector gave Starling what she wanted most: "advancement, of course." (NOTE: Lector's wince and grimace when Starling tells him how her father died. Showed Lector has a degree of compassion for young Starling's loss and pain. He's evil, but there were signs indicating motive for helping Starling. Also, Lector intentionally sent the other officers on a red-herring by giving false information, thereby, giving Starling more time and opportunity to fing Buffalo Bill before anyone else.)

Imagine how much my mind was blown when I went into the theater knowing nothing about this as a teenager lol

You have to admit that Hopkins's acting is superb. The books by Thomas Harris are well worth a read. They are beautifully written.

The scene where Hannibal escapes was my favorite scene. Not just turning Boyle into a disemboweled angel, but wearing Pembry's face to escape via ambulance, and the reveal was extraordinary.

Your genuine shock and terror at the “surprise” and ending made this one of the better reactions to this movie.

Something I caught just now, in this viewing, that I missed all the other times. When Lecter mentions the word "simplicity" (and then later, Starling w/female friend), I recalled that, that's the brand name for women's dress making patterns that you can buy. Or back in the day (don't know if they're still in business).

The first movie appearance of Hannibal Lecter was in the 1986 film 'Manhunter' where Brian Cox played Lecter. 'Manhunter' was adapted from Thomas Harris' novel 'Red Dragon'. A new move adaptation of the book was made after 'Silence of the Lambs'.

I cannot tell you how many times I've seen this movie (including its original theatrical release), and I'd never noticed Hannibal's tears. Thank you for mentioning it; it brings the scene that much sharper into focus.

I wish you guys would take a few more mins at the end of your reactions to discuss your impressions of the film, after you've had a little time to collect your thoughts.

Anthony Hopkins trained himself to stare for very long periods. So when they were filming Hanibal's shots, he hardly ever blinks. Anthony thought that once you noticed it, it added an extra aspect to the character.

Fun fact: The part where he does that "Th-th-th-th-th" thing after telling her about eating liver was completely adlibbed by Anthony Hopkins. The director loved it and Jodie Foster's reaction so much they kept it in.

21:11 That "cage" scene - the acting from both. Outstanding. Magnificent. Well, they both won an Oscar at the Academy Awards and a BAFTA each.

that was great - ''he got inside our heads, and made us like him''. I've never heard that take before

"Oh, okay, the tuck." HAHAHAHAAAA

I absolutely love that Hopkins got you where he got both my mother and me when we saw it... to the point where we were kind of hoping he got away, even though we KNEW that was the wrong thing to want. Hopkins depiction of Lecter was so charismatic.

The development of the character Jame Gumb (Buffalo Bill) was inspired by a real-life Serial Killer named Ed Gein. When the authorities search Ed's house they found - Whole human bones and fragments, a wastebasket made of human skin, Human skin covering several chair seats, Skulls on his bedposts, Female skulls, Bowls made from human skulls, A corset made from a female torso skinned from shoulders to waist, Leggings made from human leg skin, Masks made from the skin of female heads, Mary Hogan's face mask in a paper bag, Mary Hogan's skull in a box, Bernice Worden's entire head in a burlap sack, Bernice Worden's heart "in a plastic bag in front of Gein's potbelly stove, Nine vulvae in a shoebox, A young girl's dress and "the vulvas of two females judged to have been about fifteen years old, A belt made from female human nipples, Four noses, A pair of lips on a window shade drawstring, A lampshade made from the skin of a human face & Fingernails from female fingers

Anthony Hopkins. One of Wales' finest exports.

Respect the shirt. Happy to see critters proclaim their fandom.

Hannibal: Stands there. Simone: OMG 😳

According to legend. Hopkins went into a theatre where they where playing the movie,and was sitting in the back. The women just if front of him told the people with whom she was, that she would not want to meet Anthony on the streets in a dark nigth, since se whas utterly creeped out by his performance. When the movie ended, Hopkins leaning in next to the woman's ear and said with his Hannibal impression "well did you enjoy it?". Still according to legend, the woman screamed from terror and ran out the theatre.

The correct move to do now is react to "Shadowlands" and watch Hopkins do the most amazing 180 in film history.

Both of your reactions to the reveal in the ambulance was priceless.

The way many scenes in this movie are shot places the audience in the 1st person perspective of Clarice, at least for a portion of the scene. It's meant to make you aware and uncomfortable at the male gaze, before that concept was really in the public mindset. Women may immediately recognize the sensation, men may be taken aback by it, similarly with the main character the audience is meant to identify with being the smallest in the room many times; it's definitely meant to put everyone at unease.

It's been many years since I've read the book, but I distinctly remember in the book their fingers touching on that last encounter was accidental. I really liked that moment because it was the only time Lecter was surprised and not in control.

The single most deserved Oscar in movie history IMO.

I appreciate that both of you notice the camera angles that were deliberately done to give the audience of that feeling that they were being seen… you guys picked up on that and articulated it immediately! Awesome!

One of the very cool tricks this movie plays is that sometimes the characters speak into / look at the camera (you) directly. Looking directly at the camera is very provocative. Movies generally don't do that. It is both disturbing and engaging. It provokes an unconscious response. You are Clarisse. You are there. It is brilliant and should be used more.

I love the cross-cutting of the FBI preparing the raid 'Bill' and him coming upstairs to answer his ringing doorbell. It 'breaks the rules' by deliberating lying to the audience, but it's such a great rug-pull when he opens the door to Clarice that the audience forgives it.

When this film was released Mr Hopkins used to go and see it regularly. At the end he would tap the person in front on the shoulder and asked if they enjoyed the movie in hanibals voice ... can you imagine.

Hopkins portrayal so enigmatic that he stays with you throughout the movie even though he has so little screen time and the movie still thrills even though you know what is coming. Just one more thing....love your T shirts.

Critters for life! Great shirt ❤

Hannibal Lecter has respect and infatuation towards Clarice; he would never harm her

19:33 Hannibal realizes the warden forgot his pen on his bed by accident.

'Having an old friend for dinner.' +1 for noticing. Most reactors did not mention that statement.

There is a scene / monologue in "Westworld" season one that is Anthony Hopkins in absolute perfection as an actor in delivering it. A reactor on KZfaq goes over just that scene in detail to show how brilliant his performance in it is. I think you'd enjoy that series a lot.

And you’re a Critter too?!? Just discovered this channel a day ago and was hooked. and now i see your shirt!! Yay!!

"It rubs the lotion on its skin, it does this whenever it's told !" What a lovely person.

The most frightening thing there is is the human imagination. The great writers and directors will always remember this.

The audience reaction to Lecter's escape was off the chain when I saw this.

I saw this theatrically opening weekend with my wife and mom and afterwards went out to dinner. They weren’t very hungry and became even less so when I asked them if they wanted lamb chops .😂👍

In Italy, this type of film is called a giallo - a crime thriller with elements of horror and eroticism. "Red Dragon" takes place before this one, "Hannibal" takes place after this film.

By far my favorite and artistic scene is when he turns one of the security guards as a disemboweled angel hanging from a cell with a backlight

Award winning acting and writing in this incredible thriller. Like you said, by the end "he got into your head".

Discovered this channel just a couple of weeks ago, and you guys have quickly become my favourite reactors (as in people who react, not as in devices for controlled release of energy). Love that it is simply genuine reactions with focus on the movie, and love even more that there is a complete lack of desire for performative reactions for the "benefit" of the audience. If one would have a complaint, as mentioned in other comments, it would be the somewhat abrupt endings. Do wish there was a bit more discussion after the movie. Though that is but a minor complaint, as it is the reactions that truly matters, and those are always excellent.

One reason I love you two is that you are very sharp and figure a lot of things out before they happen. Yet you also have awesome, genuine reactions to impacting moments in these movies. Keep up the great work!

"Love your suit." Simplicity....a famous brand of sewing patterns. Hannibal gives so many clues.

I just stumbled across this channel the other day, and I've got to say, these are some of the best reactions I've ever seen. The reaction to the ambulance scene was chef's kiss-level amazing. You guys should have WAAAY more subs than you do.

18:30 -- VERY good catch ! Yes, Bill is emotionally conflicted. He's driven to do horrible things by his want or need to change, but he still has a conscious and knows it's wrong but he can't stop himself. Some believe that's why he pulled the hammer back on his revolver rather than just using the trigger. The extra quarter second gave Clarice a chance to stop him.

Anthony Hopkins is a legend. You shou km d follow him on facebook. He posts videos of himself playing piano, dancing and painting pictures

Simone at the end, when tension is on the peak: "Hmmm, cake" Absolutely awesome :-)

Red Dragon is the sequel but the story is set prior to this. I HIGHLY recommend it. Lead roles are played by Anthony Hopkins returning as Lecter, Ralph Fiennes, and Ed Norton. Really well done.

12:56 -- yes.. When you learn behavioral science, you can't turn it off.. You study EVERY SINGLE PERSON you come into contact with.. Believe me, it's more of a curse than anything else.. The only way you avoid calculating and scrutinizing is by consciously ignoring people or looking elsewhere. Otherwise you find yourself reading every single micro emotion in their faces and body language. Every move, the inflections of every word, patterns of speech... One thing we're taught is "figure out what movie or TV show they're in." --- All behavior and responses are learned and people are rarely entirely themselves. When you know what character they emulate, then you figure out how to play them through their role.

Sir Anthony once revealed that he approached this role by playing Lecter as if he was literally a cold-blooded animal. Many of the choices Hopkins makes as an actor in this are in the way he carries himself physically -- like a reptile.

Hopkins said he studied/met (someone?) criminally insane and he never blinked. If you noticed Hopkins never blinks esp. in the close-ups.

You guys are such fun to watch. Easily my fav reactors and every time you drop a new video it's such a nice surprise.

"There's no way he can get passed all these guys." LOLOLOL!

24:01, this was on Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments! And you can see why, as audiences were freaking out and screaming!

When Hopkins was interviewed about this film, he was asked when he knew that got the character "right". He said that he was in his cell in his transport "barrow" between takes. One of the crew walked in and Hopkins went "you're in my cell - pftpftpft" and the crew man RAN - Yup, got that one.

This film won the Big Five Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director (Demme), Best Actor (Hopkins), Best Actress (Foster), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Ted Tally), making it only the third film in history to accomplish that feat.

Manhunter is the first movie with this character. It is directed by Michael Mann and and stars William L. Peterson. The wonderful Brian Cox is a great Hannibal. It is excellent and should be seen. Thomas Harris wrote a series of books with these characters. I like the earliest ones best. Will Graham, the man who caught Hannibal, is the focus in this movie.

Hannibal enjoys beauty. Intelligence and as odd as it may seem, innocence. Starrling was not only a work of art in the mind “he is after all a psychiatrist, something interested him in the field.” But she was also very polite. And the one things Hannibal hates the most, the rude, and fools. The books get a lot more into his psychology. How he sees and plays on people. Like Barney would never be a target because he was always super polite to Hannibal and treated him like a human being, sometimes slipped him extra food or treats. Also loved the drawing of Starrling with the lamb, really brings the whole story together of “silence of the lambs.” Also. If Hannibal doesn’t know you, consider yourself an NPC in his eyes. Not a real person. Like stabbing a and eating an animal to him.

Found your channel today and have been really enjoying it. I get to this episode and see you're wearing a Nott the Brave shirt! #IsItThursdayYet

'Hannibal' is the next story in the series, 'Red Dragon' is before this one (even though it was filmed after). hope that helps.

LOVE the Critical Role shirt!!

Red Dragon was the third movie made with Hopkins and actually a prequel. The Sequel Movie you are looking for is "Hannibal" by Ridley Scott.

this movie did get a sequel 10 years later, titled Hannibal, although the Clarice actress changed. The chronological order of the Hannibal Lecter films is Red Dragon - The Silence of the Lambs - Hannibal. Red Dragon, although it takes place before Silence of Lambs with a different protagonist, was released 1 year after Hannibal. All 3 films have Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal.

"He's drawing her so maybe he likes her so she won't die?" Your perfectly safe with Dr. Hannibal Lectre just follow the following safety tips! 1. Be polite and courteous. 2. Don't try to capture or assist in capture of Dr. Hannibal Lectre. Then you will do just fine!

1. The lisping sound Hopkins makes after he says, 'I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti." is the first scene he and Foster did together and he wanted to freak her out, so her reaction is real. 2. Ted Levine/Buffalo Bill was so disturbing that he received death threats after this was released. 3. The FBI actually let them use their Langley VA facility to film. 4. "I'm coming to get you Murdock". The late Charles Napier/Lt. Boyle played Murdock in Rambo First Blood II. A great first time/share. 5. Everybody is hitting on Clarice but IRL hitting on Foster is a waste of time and effort. She doesn't fly that way. 😭

The first ever Horror Thriller film to win Best Picture.

"Silence of the lambs" is one of only three movies in history to win all the big five Oscars: script, direction, movie, and both leading parts. The other two movies are "It happened one night" and "One flew over the cuckoo's nest".

Given Simone's shirt, I was hoping she'd say "Cased Closed" when Bill was killed.

3:40 the shots are intentionally weird. It's always male characters speaking to Clarice who are staring right at the camera. It makes the audience feel how she feels when men are seeing her as a woman first, and FBI agent second.

There are so many damn tiny puns and hints in this movie that I am still finding all these years later. This movie will always be in my top 5 best films of all time. So much better than the book. “Love your suit” was another brilliant line that almost no one catches, too.

I can't even describe the effect Anthony Hopkins has on me while playing this character so mysteriously genius and intense

You guys should definitely check out Red Dragon.

Hey Geroge. Great catch to know that the disemboweled police officer was a recreation of a 17th-century renaissance painting. Even as a serial killer, Hannibal is quite artistic.

i watched half of this movie and i didn’t fall asleep for hours, i was so thrilled that adrenaline kept running through my head and there were so many key points that i replayed so strongly in my head

Hopkins should’ve won 4 Oscar’s for this

Critical Role! Simone is a critter! :D

Ah, that was a pleasure. Most people figure out Hannibal is actually on the stretcher. Great reaction!

This is 1 of only 3 films to win "The Big 5 Academy Awards", those being Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress & Best Screenplay(either Original or Adapted)! The other 2 are "It Happened One Night" in 1934 & "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" in 1975.

I love watching people watch this for the first time. Seeing the appropriate response to Lecter and Miggs especially significantly calms my anxiety and helps me not feel so alone.

Simone & George, I love your reactions! I would like to provide a short explanation of the Hannibal Lecter franchise, if I may. There have been 11 installments in the franchise so far: 4 books, 5 films, and 2 TV shows. The writer Thomas Harris wrote the 1st book “Red Dragon” which came out in 1981. The novel Red Dragon was adapted into the movie Manhunter, directed by Michael Mann, which came out in 1986. Manhunter cost about $14 or $15 million (about $37 to $39 million in 2022 dollars), but it grossed less than $9 million (about $23 million in 2022 dollars) in the USA. It got mixed reviews at the time, but it has gotten better reviews in recent years. It currently has 93% from all critics on Rotten Tomatoes and 100% from top critics. Thomas Harris then wrote the 2nd novel “The Silence of the Lambs” which came out in 1988, which is a sequel to the 1st book Red Dragon. The film “The Silence of the Lambs” then came out in 1991, directed by Jonathan Demme. Jodie Foster played Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins (now Sir Anthony Hopkins as of 1993) played Dr. Hannibal Lecter. It could be argued that the film “The Silence of the Lambs” is a sequel to the film “Manhunter” but this is not the usual understanding. Thomas Harris then wrote the 3rd book “Hannibal” which came out in 1999, which is a sequel to the 2nd novel The Silence of the Lambs. The novel “Hannibal” was then adapted into the film “Hannibal” in 2001. Unlike the questionable relationship between the first 2 movies (Manhunter and The Silence of the Lambs), the film “Hannibal” is unquestionably a direct sequel to the film The Silence of the Lambs. Sir Anthony Hopkins returned to play Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the film Hannibal. Jodie Foster unfortunately did not return to play Clarice Starling in Hannibal, but I can’t say why until after you see it, if you choose to. It was then decided to adapt again the original book Red Dragon in 2002 into the film Red Dragon, directed by Brett Ratner and starring Sir Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter. The 2002 film Red Dragon is unquestionably a direct prequel to the film The Silence of the Lambs. Thomas Harris then wrote the 4th book “Hannibal Rising” which came out in 2006, which is a prequel to the 1st book Red Dragon. It starts with Hannibal Lecter as a child in Europe during World War 2. The book Hannibal Rising was then adapted into the film Hannibal Rising in 2007, directed by Peter Webber, as a prequel to the film Red Dragon. The TV show “Hannibal” was then created in 2013. It ran for 3 seasons until 2015. The final installment, so far, has been the TV show “Clarise” which only ran for 1 season in 2021.

I see your "Nott the Brave" shirt! Yay fellow Canadian Critter! You guys would really, really like the Hannibal show, I think.

Yesss. You should love the music and it should be effective. It's Howard Shore! The filming was spectacular and meant to make you feel uneasy when Clarice is with men. You feel "the stare". Also note that most of the time the person talking to her is looking straight into the camera while we aren't usually looking directly into her eyes, which puts us in her perspective.

Seriously...I keep stopping what I'm watching to watch your reactions 🤣🤣