10 Rare (but Tasty) ‘Silence of the Lambs’ Behind-the-Scenes Photos You’ve Never Seen Before
See Foster, Sir Anthony Hopkins—Hannibal Lecter—and director Jonathan Demme bring the film to life
Somehow it’s difficult to believe that it’s been over 30 years since The Silence of the Lambs first reached theaters and introduced moviegoers to Sir Anthony Hopkins’s serial killer and cannibal Hannibal Lecter. And whether it’s Lecter behind his glass cell or the quiet determination of Jodie Foster‘s FBI agent Clarice Starling as she attempts to navigate the darkest corners of the human mind, the film has, for good reason, made a permanent impact on pop culture history.
For that reason, it’s no surprise that The Silence of the Lambs took home five Academy Awards at the 1992 ceremony in the categories of Best Director for Jonathan Demme, Best Actor for Hopkins, Best Actress for Foster as Starling, Best Adapted Screenplay for Ted Tally (his script based on the novel by Thomas Harris) and Best Picture.
“The second that first draft script came out of Ted Tally’s typewriter, we all looked at it and said, ‘This is perfect. There’s almost nothing to change.’'” relates Foster. “And almost nothing changed from that first draft. As each person came on, they were all just immediate yeses. I think that’s why we all did the best work of our life. Sometimes we’ll never reach that height and in a way it was all downhill from there. Sometimes it’s a once in a lifetime experience to feel that way.”
As haunting and intense as the final version of The Silence of the Lambs is, the process of making it was filled with collaboration, creativity and even a few moments of levity (as difficult as that may be to imagine given the subject matter). That’s where this piece comes in. We’ve gathered 10 behind-the-scenes photos that give you a glimpse at what it was really like on set.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what it looked like behind that glass cell or how some of those iconic moments came together, you’re in the right place. Let’s step behind the curtain and revisit The Silence of the Lambs—this time from the other side of the camera.
1. Agent Starling’s got two daddies
One of the standout aspects of Jodie Foster’s performance in The Silence of the Lambs is the emotional tightrope she walks between the allure (even if it is terrifying) of Hannibal Lecter (Sir Anthony Hopkins) and her FBI supervisor, Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn).
2. That man is not an FBI agent!
Early on in the film, when Clarice Starling is training, Jodie Foster is given some directorial suggestions from Jonathan Demme. Interestingly, Foster herself wanted to direct the film, but when she realized that wasn’t going to happen, she was happy to just star in it.
3. She’s looked better!
Scott Glenn (back to camera), director Jonathan Demme, Jodie Foster and Chris McGinn, who seems to be getting directions on how to be a corpse on a gurney. Hopefully she’s not a method actress.
4. All quiet in the asylum
Anthony Hopkins (strait jacket and all), director Jonathan Demme and part of the film crew on set, 1991.
5. It doesn’t seem that Demme can really trust that man!
6. All it takes is a cup of coffee
When recently asked how she got into the mindset of Clarice Starling during the making of the film, Jodie Foster commented, “I’ve learned that what I need to do is drink a little coffee and I need somebody to say, ‘Action!’ and that’s kind of it.”
7. Securing the prisoner
Why take chances? Jonathan Demme makes sure that Hannibal Lecter is secure in his bindings.
8. That’s more like it!
Oh, sure, everybody’s all laughs now, feeling reasonably secure that Hannibal Lecter isn’t going anywhere. But does anyone really believe that? (we’ve seen the film, so our answer is a decided no.)
9. Keeping a safe distance
Director Jonathan Demme watching Anthony Hopkins’ performance on set via the “Media Village,” a part of all movie productions.
10. Oscar night
On Oscar night 1992 (held on March 30), Jonathan Demme, Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins take home the gold in the respective categories of Best Director, Best Actress and Best Actor.
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