Hannibal
April 24th 2007 04:41
Ridley Scott’s Hannibal (2001) picks up the scent ten years after the events of Silence of the Lambs. Hannibal Lecter has been in hiding having escaped further incarceration, and is living incognito amidst the classical art and culture of Florence, Italy, where he indulges as an art scholar vying for a coveted role as museum curator. But he is waiting, oh, so patiently for a familiar deep roller to fly back into his life, a certain straight arrow Starling.
Everything eventually collides culminating in an infamous scene of cannibalism. It was the graphic nature of this scene which resulted in Hannibal having its Australian and German censorship ratings changed (from children under 15-16 to be accompanied by an adult increased to a restricted rating where no one under 18 being admitted). This was an unprecedented move. In Australia it was a very concerned and pro-active mother whose 16-year-old daughter had seen the film and consequently suffered nightmares who filed a letter of complaint to the NSW Film & TV Office.
WARNING! CONTAINS SPOILERS!
The end of the movie does provide a little confusion, even dissatisfaction; would Lecter really have done what he did? The movie ending differs radically from the novel. The DVD has many deleted scenes including an alternate ending, of which the plane sequence Scott favoured, and I can understand why, the subtle corruption of the Oriental kid is all the more fitting. Hannibal Lecter is a very rare breed of cinema villian, he whom we want to escape.
Hannibal is a most rich and sophisticated feast, not to be consumed with popcorn and soft drink, but with a tantalizing antipasto and a most vibrant and hearty red wine. Ta-ta.
Here's the original theatrical trailer:
* images on this page are courtesy of www.beyondhollywood.com and www.filmhai.com
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Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
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Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Gary Oldman was fantastic too. Very grotesque.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Kylie, Silence is a leaner, more scarifying film, Hannibal is the fleshed-out character study .... And yup, Oldman nailed that role fer sure, the voice and accent alone! He arranged specifically to not have his name in the opening credits to add mystery to the performance.
Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
And because of this, I haven't seen the other movies in this series because I haven't seen the 'original'.
Is Silence of the Lambs worth renting? Would I find myself laughing at the wacky hair-dos and dress sense of the early 90's?
Charles.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Though ManHunter is my favourite in the series, Hannibal runs a close second with its literary, mythical sense of humour, tongue in cheek tone to match the hammy lead and masterful visual style...a feast of cinematic debauchery..
Doesnt hurt that Gary Oldman and Julianne Moore are in it either.....I prefered Moore to Foster.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Oh yes, rent Silence of the Lambs fer sure! But perhaps you should start at the beginning, rent Michael Mann's Manhunter (remade as Red Dragon, but not as good) first, then Silence, then Hannibal. Don't bother with Red Dragon or Hannibal Rising ...
The early 90s styles are amusing, yes.
JD,
I see Gary Oldman is in the new Harry Potter film , boy oh boy ... that's sad news.
Comment by 1928
anthony hopkins is amazing as usual and the rest of the cast are fantastic.
i wish they would make an other hannibal but i know they wont.
all together all the hannibal series are excellent and anthony hopkins suits the role perfectly.
BRILLIANT