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Silence Of The Lambs (2 Disc Ultimate Special Collector's Edition) [1991]


RRP: £19.99
The Best of Hannibal
Review date: 2007-02-16 Rating: 10 out of 10

The Hannibal Lecter series has proved to be something of a huge success with fans of the horror/thriller genre, although moreso in viewing figures than actual critical acclaim. The only film of the entire series thus far that is actually worthy of receiving any critical acclaim has already received it, and that film is "Silence of the Lambs". The 1991 follow-up to Manhunter (the original adaptation of Red Dragon) sees Anthony Hopkins replace and ultimately outshine the previous Hannibal Lecter: Brian Cox. And despite Brian Cox probably having a wider acting ability than that of Hopkins, it is the character of Hannibal Lecter in which Hopkins outshines Cox and with immense ease.

Hannibal Lecter remains in a high-security mental institution and is in this film first visited by Clarice Starling -- Jodie Foster in one of the biggest roles of her acting career. Originally sent to interview Hannibal for research purposes, Clarice sees herself pulled into the ongoing "Buffalo Bill" case -- a series of grisly murders in which women have been starved and then skinned -- when Hannibal himself throws himself into the case by introducing Clarice, through vague directions, to Bill's "first victim". And, like Manhunter & Red Dragon, it becomes a story of a psychotic psychiatrist turned serial killer pitting his wits against both the FBI and with an at-large murderer.

As Clarice Starling; Jodie Foster delivers an excellent performance alongside the cold and seemingly sociopathic famed killer. The two find a real chemistry between each-other and really get across to the viewers the feelings that the two main characters of the story felt for eachother in the best-selling novel highly revered as one of the most brilliant suspense novels of all time. And it is the movie adaptation of the aforementioned bestseller that is equal in the sense of being easily one of the best movies of that genre ever.

As the body discoveries continue we witness the outstandingly bizarre "Buffalo Bill" (Ted Levine) successfully abducting his next intended victim, Catherine Martin (Brooke Smith). The two acting talents in that duo also develop and depict an excellent chemistry, albeit a much darker and completely loveless chemistry.

Also delivering stellar acting performances are Anthony Heald as the untrustworthy Dr. Frederick Chilton, Scott Glenn's portrayal of Jack Crawford (the head of the Behavioral Science Unit of the FBI in Quantico, Virginia), and several other excellent performances delivered by various actors playing police officers and detectives in this truly magnificent pulse-pounding thriller.

If you are wanting to witness a captivating, magnificently directed, magnificently acted and meticulously plotted thriller then look no further than 1991's "Silence of the Lambs". Being easily the best movie adaptation of the Hannibal Lecter stories, it is this film that best captures the human evil and thinking of the main villain and, although you'll find yourself rooting for him at the end, sees one of the best collective cast performances of any production. "The Silence of the Lambs" is a movie you must see!

- Edit -

The 2-Disc Ultimate Edition of "The Silence of the Lambs" that I am reviewing comes complete with a small handbook regarding the Hannibal Lecter story. Along with that there are some neat little menu cards for some of Hannibal Lecter's "favourite meals", without human ingredients of course.

Disc 1 is of the movie, including language selection and subtitles.
Disc 2 includes several featurettes and interviews. Along with trailers, TV spots and an Image Gallery.

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Reviews


One of the greatest horror/thrillers of all time
Review date: 2006-03-17 Rating: 10 out of 10

This film is by far the best there is from the horror/thriller genre and the best out of the three films with Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter (if you include Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter) Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins bring outstanding performances (which they won Academy Awards for Best Actor and Actress) Also the three more Academy Awards the film won (Best Director - Jonathan Demme, Best Adapted Screenplay - Ted Tally and Best Picture) It is the first horror film to be awarded with the Best Picture award and is the first film to be awarded when it came out on VHS release. The only problem with this edition of the film was the opening credits (missing the actors names and main title) but that didn't bother me really, what's important is that you get to watch the film. Defiantly worth buying if you love horror or thrillers or both.

missing credits
Review date: 2006-02-21 Rating: 6 out of 10

Just got my copy of the ultimate edition since my special edition became corrupted by that yellowing/cloudy artefact on the disc. It seems a very good transfer but the beginning of the credits are missing (principal actors and film title) - the picture is there but the actual credit writing doesn't appear over it. I've noticed on the net comments that this occurred with the Scandanavian version. Not sure what this means - whether we return it and wait till Sony/MGM get it right, or whether we're lumbered with the fault. It seems this title is the kiss of death on DVD for MGM. I'm writing this 2 days after its release and so far I can see no other mention of this fault on the net. My advice is to hang on and see what develps before purchasing in case we have to return the discs like last time.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Scott Glenn
Jodie Foster
Anthony Hopkins
Anthony Heald
Ted Levine

Creators:
Anthony Hopkins (Primary Contributor)
Jodie Foster (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: MGM Entertainment
Manufacturer: MGM Entertainment
EAN: 5035822281998
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Digital Sound, DTS Surround Sound, PAL, Subtitled, Widescreen,
Release date: 2006-02-20
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 114 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1991
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Original Language)
Language: Hungarian (Original Language)
Language: Czech (Original Language)
Language: Polish (Original Language)
Language: Bulgarian (Original Language)
Language: Danish (Original Language)
Language: Dutch (Original Language)
Language: Finnish (Original Language)
Language: Greek (Original Language)

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