12 Details in The Silence of the Lambs That Many People Overlooked

12 Details in The Silence of the Lambs That Many People Overlooked

      Here are some insights about Silence of the Lambs that you might have overlooked, even if you're part of the Behavioral Science Unit.

      If you haven't checked out the 1991 classic yet, you should. Directed by Jonathan Demme, the film tells the story of young FBI trainee Clarice Starling (played by Jodie Foster) as she is tasked with engaging with imprisoned serial killer Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to gain insights into a series of murders committed by Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine). The film is based on Thomas Harris's book and was adapted for the screen by Ted Tally.

      Now, let’s delve into the 12 details about Silence of the Lambs that you might have missed.

      The "Bill Skins Fifth" Article Is Focused on Hannibal Lecter, Not Buffalo Bill

      Orion – Credit: C/O

      In the early moments of Silence of the Lambs, as Clarice waits for Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) in his office at Quantico, she observes the disturbing photos and newspaper articles on the wall. One headline from the National Inquisitor catches her eye: BILL SKINS FIFTH.

      However, if you pause and examine the article closely, you'll find that it's not about Bill; it's actually about Lecter. The article outlines Lecter's arrest, background, and contains quotes from both Lecter and Crawford.

      The creators of the news article for Silence of the Lambs either did not expect anyone to scrutinize the text or were just having some fun. We'll discuss more about the specifics of this article shortly, as it's rather peculiar.

      Clarice's Political Views

      Orion – Credit: C/O

      Silence of the Lambs doesn’t overtly express any political messages; its themes of empathy and resilience against horrific challenges are meant to resonate universally. Yet, we learn a bit about Clarice Starling’s values through a brief exchange when she is first called to Crawford’s office.

      “I remember you from my seminar at UVA,” he mentions, referring to her university. “You challenged me quite rigorously, if I recall, regarding the bureau’s Civil Rights record during the Hoover years.”

      While we can't be entirely certain, the mention of Civil Rights likely alludes to Hoover's surveillance of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. This is one of many clues the film offers about Clarice’s empathy and support for marginalized individuals.

      Lecter Provides Clarice a Significant Hint During Their Initial Meeting

      Orion – Credit: C/O

      Barely two minutes into their initial conversation, Clarice inquires about one of the intricate pencil drawings he has in his cell. “That is the Duomo, seen from the Belvedere,” he replies. As Lecter knows, Jame Gumb—also known as Buffalo Bill—resides in Belvedere, Ohio.

      A belvedere is an architectural feature designed to maximize a particular view—in this case, the duomo, or cathedral, in Florence, Italy. “Do you know Florence?” Lecter asks.

      He’s not just giving Clarice a hint about Jame Gumb, but possibly also alluding to his own intentions, should he escape Dr. Chilton’s confines: at the beginning of the Silence of the Lambs sequel Hannibal, Lecter is residing in Florence, working as a museum curator.

      Museum Curator

      MGM – Credit: C/O

      Speaking of museum curators, we promised to elaborate more on the “BILL SKINS FIFTH” article—the one that, despite the headline about Buffalo Bill, centers on Lecter.

      The first sentence states: “Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a prominent medical and social figure in Baltimore for many years, has been charged with the brutal murder of a museum curator at his home…”

      This is intriguing because Hannibal does indeed kill a museum curator and subsequently assumes his job, but that event occurs in the film Hannibal, which takes place after Silence of the Lambs.

      In the TV series Hannibal, Lecter also engages in the kill-the-curator-and-take-his-job scenario. Perhaps he has a penchant for targeting museum curators.

      “Goodbye Horses” Returns

      Orion – Credit: C/O

      The haunting song that Buffalo Bill dances to, “Goodbye Horses,” also features in Married to the Mob, the film made by Jonathan Demme prior to Silence of the Lambs.

      In that film, it plays during a scene with Michelle Pfeiffer’s character in a robe. Perhaps Buffalo Bill has watched Married to the Mob, and Pfeiffer embodies the woman he longs to become? This may be too self-referential for Demme, but who knows.

      Initial Casting Choices for Clarice Starling

      AFF – Credit: C/O

      Jonathan Demme initially hesitated to cast Jodie Foster.

      In a discussion with Paul Thomas Anderson at the Austin Film Festival, he revealed that he had been considering Michelle Pfeiffer for the role of Clarice Star

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12 Details in The Silence of the Lambs That Many People Overlooked

Silence of the Lambs prompts an attentive watch. Here are 12 details from Silence of the Lambs that you might have overlooked, regardless of how often you've viewed it.