The Silence of the Lambs - Trivia, Questions and Fun Facts

[sylvia]

This movie has many "cat" clues in the first victim's house that seem to lead Clarice to the identity of the killer, and to where Catherine Martin might be. There's a photo of Frederika (the first victim) and her cat, and then a cat figurine by the jewelry box with Polaroid photos. And the pet cat seems to lead Clarice to the wardrobe with the diamond-shaped dress taping that resembled the skinning of one of the victims. Notably, the name "Catherine" has the word "cat" in it.

[melinda]

When Ted Tally was writing the screenplay for this movie, he suggested Jodie Foster for the role of Clarice Starling. Foster had been lobbying hard for the part, but when Jonathan Demme was hired to direct, he wanted Michelle Pfeiffer instead. Pfeiffer turned it down because Orion Pictures wasn't willing to pay the $2 million for which she asked. Demme then agreed to meet Foster. He hired her after only one meeting, because he said he could see her strength and determination for the part, and he felt that was perfect for Clarice.

[cameron]

Gene Hackman bought the rights to the novel. He planned to direct this movie, and play either Dr. Hannibal Lecter or Jack Crawford. He withdrew after watching a clip of himself in Mississippi Burning (1988) at the The 61st Annual Academy Awards (1989), which made him uneasy about taking more violent roles.

[manuel]

Clarice Starling was one of the biggest influences for creating the character of Dana Scully, according to The X-Files (1993) creator Chris Carter. There is also a tribute to this movie in the last episode of the ninth season, when Scully visits Mulder in the jail and he tells her, "I smelled you coming, Clarice."

[dustin]

Most of this movie was shot in Pittsbugh, Pennsylvania, which was chosen for its large variety of landscapes and architecture. Some of this movie's interior scenes, including the Baltimore jail scene in the beginning, and the ballroom scene of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in his cage, were shot in Soldiers and Sailors Memorial, located on Fifth Avenue in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh.

[camila]

Jame Gumb's dance was not included in the original draft of the screenplay, although it appears in the novel. It was added at the insistence of Ted Levine, who thought the scene was essential in defining the character.

[claude]

Clarice Starling's revolver is the then-standard FBI-issue Smith & Wesson Model 13 chambered in .357 Magnum, with a three-inch barrel, this firearm was the last revolver issued by the FBI (usually loaded with .38 Special +P .158 grain lead LHP ammo). Starling is shown being issued her Model 13 and training with it on the range in several deleted scenes. She is also seen doing a quick reload of her revolver with a speedloader after she opens fire on a suspect and expends all six rounds. When Starling fires her weapon at the suspect, there is noticeable recoil and she flinches. However, when she fires it on the range in the deleted scenes, there is absolutely no recoil, and she keeps her eyes open. This could indicate multiple weapons were used on the set.

[kyle]

When Sir Anthony Hopkins's agent called him in London, to tell him that he was sending him a script called "The Silence of the Lambs," Hopkins immediately thought he might be going up for a children's movie.

[ronnie]

Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster only share four scenes throughout the course of this movie.

[mathew]

The rules for speaking with Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Sir Anthony Hopkins) are the same as the rules for speaking with Ethan Powell in Instinct (1999), a role also played by Hopkins.