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'The Silence of the Lambs', the film that brought Thomas Harris serial killer series success on the big screen. Directed by Jonathan Demme this film emerged in 1991, three years after the novel of the same name was brought out. 'Red Dragon' was actually the first novel in the series written by Thomas Harris, it was also the first film to be released and emerged in 1986 under the name of 'Manhunter' directed by Michael Mann. The film was a box office flop though, it received glowing reports from the critics but still it bombed when given its release. A key factor in the success of Jonathan Demme's cinematic telling must be seen in the form of one Anthony Hopkins. Sensational as serial killer Hannibal Lecter whenever I see this actor now I can only ever view him as Hannibal the cannibal. 'Red Dragon' eventually got its release featuring Anthony Hopkins in 2002, only after third novel 'Hannibal' had been given an adaptation in 2001 though.

The first time I saw 'The Silence of the Lambs' I must say that I was incredibly impressed, and every time I have seen it since it has done nothing but impress me more. Every element of the film just seems to come together perfectly, the acting is spot on, the direction brilliant, and best of all; there was an excellent basic storyline already there in the form of the Thomas Harris novel 'The Silence of the Lambs'. Novel adaptations do not always come together very well at all, this is one that is pulled off to great effect however and is in fact excellent. A decade on and the Ridley Scott directed film 'Hannibal' followed, a film that I personally feel has greater atmosphere and is ultimately a more enjoyable film; I don't mean to take anything away from the excellence of 'The Silence of the Lambs' however as there is just no denying the brilliance that this film possesses.

The basic plot line here is that women are being kidnapped and killed across the Midwest of America. The murderer is unknown, he is given the nickname of 'Buffalo Bill' though and the FBI really have very little to go by. They're trying desperately to track this killer down, for all they know he could be anywhere though and the whereabouts of this psychopath is very much unknown. Young FBI agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is given the job of interviewing Hannibal Lecter at his prison in order to attempt to extract possible information from him about the whereabouts of this unknown killer. Dr. Hannibal Lecter was once a great psychiatrist but now just

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