This Day in Horror: THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS Was Released 29 Years Ago

The Silence of the Lambs was released on February 14th, 1991; the film made an impressive sweep at The Academy Awards in 1992, taking home Oscars for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director (Jonathan Demme), Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter), Best Actress (Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling), plus Best Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing. It’s the most impressive Academy night for a horror movie in history, and the legitimacy this added to the genre can not be understated.

The Silence of the Lambs spawned the sequels Hannibal, Red Dragon, Hannibal Rising, and the TV series Hannibal. The film has also become part of the popular zeitgeist, often quoted and parodied (“It puts the lotion in the basket or else it gets the hose again!”). While horror has achieved some new heights in terms of artistic integrity in the 21st Century, The Silence of the Lambs remains a true champion of the genre, making the anniversary of it’s release a truly noteworthy day in Horror History.

If it’s been a while, revisit the film by watching the trailer for The Silence of the Lambs embedded at the top of the article.

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