Author Thomas Harris wrote four books in the Hannibal Lecter series. The books, in order of the story are: Hannibal Rising, Red Dragon, The Silence Of The Lambs and Hannibal. They were turned into films and a television show between 1986 and 2015. Below are the reviews for the filmed versions in the order that they were made. The star rating on each also expresses the review of the books in this reviewer’s opinion.
Manhunter (1986)
C – 120m (Theatrical Cut) / 124m (Director’s Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Red Dragon: The Pursuit Of Hannibal Lecter, Red Dragon: The Curse Of Hannibal Lecter, Red Dragon, Blutmond, Hunter
Novel: Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
Screenplay By: Michael Mann
Dir.: Michael Mann
Starring: William Peterson, Kim Greist, Joan Allen, Brian Cox, Dennis Farina, Tom Noonan, Stephen Lang, Benjamin Hendrickson, Michael Talbott, Dan Butler, Frankie Faison, Joanne Camp, David Allen Brooks and Chris Elliott.
Former FBI profiler Will Graham returns to service to pursue a dangerous serial murderer nicknamed, “The Tooth Fairy,” by the media. Well done early Lecter (Lecktor here) film doesn’t hold a candle to the subsequent films but holds it’s own nicely. Cox and Peterson are tops. The preferred cut of the film is the Director’s Cut.
Trivia: While this movie was being filmed, Anthony Hopkins (who would go on to play Hannibal Lecter from 1991 – 2002 in three theatrical outings, including this film’s remake) was playing in King Lear at the National Theatre. In turn, when The Silence Of The Lambs (1991) was filming, Brian Cox, who plays Hannibal Lecter here, was playing in King Lear at the National Theatre. Brian Cox said that he based his portrayal of Hannibal was based on Scottish serial killer: Peter Manuel. This is the only Hannibal movie where his last name is spelled: Lecktor. Frankie Faison is the only actor to appear in four out of the five Hannibal films. Anthony Hopkins is next record holder being in three of them.
Nominated for a 1987 Edgar Allan Poe Award for: Best Picture – Michael Mann. Followed by the films: The Silence Of The Lambs (1991), Hannibal (2001) and the prequel: Hannibal Rising (2007). This was remade as: Red Dragon (2002), the book’s actual title, by Brett Ratner, and starring: Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Harvey Keitel, Ralph Fiennes and others. This was also remade as the television show: Hannibal (2013 – 2015).
Rated: [R]
Out Of Print on VHS, Laserdisc and DVD but Available on Blu–ray and Digital Copy in both Theatrical Cut and Director’s Cut
The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
C – 118m (Current Cut) / 138m (Original Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Silence Of The Lambs
Novel: The Silence Of The Lambs by Thomas Harris
Screenplay By: Ted Tally
Dir.: Jonathan Demme
Starring: Jodie Foster, Scott Glenn, Anthony Heald, Frankie Faison, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Ted Levine, Tracey Walter, Dan Butler, Diane Baker, Roger Corman, Charles Napier, Brent Hinkley, Chris Isaak, George A Romero, Edward Saxon and Mike Schaeffer.
Music By: Howard Shore
A young F.B.I. cadet seeks the help of a convicted, incarcerated, manipulating cannibal killer in order to catch another serial killer known as, “Buffalo Bill,” who skins his victims. This film is a tour de force for all involved. A perfect thriller that genuinely gives someone watching the film the creeps for one reason or another. All who got awards or were nominated for awards, richly deserved them.
Trivia: Jodie Foster has said that in the scene where Hannibal meets Starling and he mocks her Southern accent, it was not planned. Anthony Hopkins mocked her and her reaction was genuine indignation and hurt. She is said to have later thanked him for eliciting such an honest response from her. Sir Anthony Hopkins was confused when he learned that he got the role of Hannibal from his portrayal of Dr. Fredrick Treves in The Elephant Man (1981). He questioned Jonathan Demme about it by saying, “But Dr. Treves was a good man.” Demme replied, “So is Lecter, he is a good man too. Just trapped in an insane mind.” Sir Anthony Hopkins only had 24 minutes and 52 seconds of screen–time, making him the second shortest performance time to win Best Actor. The shortest is still held by David Niven in Separate Tables (1958), with 23 minutes and 39 seconds of screen–time.
After Lecter is moved from Baltimore the idea was to put him in an orange or yellow jumpsuit. Sir Anthony Hopkins convinced Director Jonathan Demme and Costume Designer Colleen Atwood that he would be more sinister looking in white. It has since been reported that Sir Anthony Hopkins said that he attributed his idea to his fear of dentist. Sir Anthony Hopkins explained his voice as Hannibal as being a cross between Truman Capote and Katharine Hepburn. Jame Gumb’s dance was not in the script but was in the novel. The dance was added at the behest of an insistent Ted Levine, who said that the dance was: “essential in the definition of the character.” The first moth cocoon found in a victim’s throat was made from a combination of Tootsie Rolls and Gummy Bears so that it would be edible in the event it was accidentally swallowed. And finally: Jodie Foster tried to buy the film rights to this book but Gene Hackman beat her to it. He planned to direct the film and star as either Jack Crawford or Hannibal Lecter, however he withdrew from the idea when he saw a clip of himself in Mississippi Burning (1988) at the Oscars® and felt too afraid to make more violent films.
Oscar® winner for: Best Picture, Best Actor – Sir Anthony Hopkins, Best Actress – Jodie Foster, Best Director – Jonathan Demme and Best Adapted Screenplay – Ted Tally. It was additionally Oscar® nominated for: Best Sound and Best Editing. It was also a Golden Globe winner for Best Actress – Motion Picture – Drama – Jodie Foster. It was additionally nominated for Golden Globes for: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director – Motion Picture – Jonathan Demme, Best Actor – Motion Picture – Drama – Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Best Screenplay – Motion Picture – Ted Tally.
Rated: [R]
Out Of Print on VHS and Laserdisc but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy as part of The Criterion Collection and separately
Hannibal (2001)
C – 131m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Silence Of The Lambs II, The Silence Of The Lambs 2
Novel: Hannibal by Thomas Harris
Screenplay By: David Mamet and Steven Zaillian
Pro. – Dir.: Ridley Scott
Starring: Sir Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, Ray Liotta, Frankie Faison, Giancarlo Giannini, Francesca Neri, Zeljko Ivanek, David Andrews and Francis Guinan.
Music By: Hans Zimmer
Living in exile, Hannibal Lecter tries to reconnect with Agent Starling and finds himself the target of revenge from a powerful victim. Frankly a lesser entry in the series isn’t without its own gruesome interesting points. Sadly most of those are towards the rear of the film and the viewer must float through a dream state first two acts to get to the final two gory ones. Still, it is worth a watch.
Trivia: When Thomas Harris finished the Hannibal novel, he sent copies to Jonathan Demme, Jodie Foster and Sir Anthony Hopkins. The screenplay for the film was rewritten numerous times due to issues with character elements that Demme and Foster had. As it turned out, neither Demme, nor Foster stuck with the production. Only Sir Anthony Hopkins and Frankie Faison returned. At one point David Fincher was slated to direct the film but dropped out. Sir Anthony Hopkins reportedly wrote a script for a sequel to this film. It was never utilized. Though Sir Anthony Hopkins had no official say in who would play Starling, Director Ridley Scott consulted him on the matter after Jodie Foster declined to reprise her role as Starling. Sir Anthony suggested Julianne Moore whom he had previously worked with on: Surviving Picasso (1996). The part of Mason Verger was offered to Christopher Reeve first, and he displayed some interest, though having not read the novel. When he found out Verger was a quadriplegic, facially disfigured and a child rapist to boot, he declined the role. Gary Oldman based his Verger voice on Katharine Hepburn.
Rated: [R] – Strong Gruesome Violence, Some Nudity & Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy
Red Dragon (2002)
C – 124m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Novel: Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
Screenplay By: Ted Tally
Producers: Dino De Laurentiis and Martha De Laurentiis
Uncredited Associate Producer: Terry Needham
Dir.: Brett Ratner
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Harvey Keitel, Emily Watson, Mary–Louise Parker, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Anthony Heald, Ken Leung, Frankie Faison, Madison Mason, Bill Duke and Frank Langella.
Music By: Danny Elfman
A retired F.B.I. Agent with special psychological gifts, is assigned to help track down the mysterious killer, “The Tooth Fairy,” with the help of his old nemesis: Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter. This remake of Manhunter (1986), under the novel’s original title, offers a more grisly telling of the story but does so with style. Everyone connected to this film is welcome when they turn out work like this and by that this reviewer means they are in top form here. This was Sir Anthony Hopkins’s swan song as Hannibal Lecter, though he made other films where he played basically the same character sans the cannibalism.
Trivia: Director Brett Ratner reportedly asked Sir Anthony Hopkins to get a facelift and Sir Anthony refused. Sir Anthony Hopkins showed up on set on one of his days off just to watch Philip Seymour Hoffman work, as they shared no scenes together. Philip Seymour Hoffman insisted on being glued to the chair during his encounter with Ralph Fiennes’ character. Ralph Fiennes gained fifteen pounds of muscle for the role of Francis Dolarhyde. Sir Anthony Hopkins stated that his final outing as Hannibal was to remind audiences that Hannibal is a serial killer. He stated that he didn’t like the fact that Hannibal became a fun anti-hero in the public’s minds.
Rated: [R] – Violence, Grisly Images, Language, Some Nudity & Sexuality
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy
Hannibal Rising (2007)
C – 121m (Theatrical Cut) / 131m (Unrated Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Lecter Variation: The Story Of Young Hannibal Lecter, Young Hannibal: Behind The Mask, The Lector Variations, Young Hannibal, Hannibal 4
Novel: Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris
Screenplay By: Thomas Harris
Producers: Dino De Laurentiis and Martha De Laurentiis
Dir.: Peter Webber
Starring: Gaspard Ulliel, Li Gong and Rhys Ifans
Hannibal grows up after escaping the Nazis and cannibalism during World War II and plans revenge on the cannibals responsible for his sister’s murder years before. Lured and frankly unnecessary prequel to the successful Hannibal series is also slow moving. One scene of revenge is welcome when Hannibal goes after the crude guy in the market. Otherwise, skip it.
Trivia: The only Hannibal outing to be scripted by the book series’ author, Thomas Harris.
Rated: [R] – Strong Grisly Violent Content and some Language / Sexual References
Available on DVD & Digital Copy
Hannibal: The Complete Series (2013–2015)
C – 44m Each, 39 Episodes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
Inspired By The Novel: Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
Creator: Bryan Fuller
Starring: Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, Laurence Fishburne and Eddie Izzard.
Will Graham is a teacher who is recruited because of his psychological gifts to help the F.B.I. track down killers, along the way he meets Hannibal Lecter and trouble ensues in the long run. The short lived series is slow moving for the most part, which may be a hindrance for some, but the visual touches are amazing. Worth a look.
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy