Horror History: Ridley Scott’s HANNIBAL Is Now 20 Years Old
Mike Sprague
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On this day in horror history, Ridley Scott’s adaptation of Thomas Harris’ Hannibal hit theaters back in 2001. The Silence of the Lambs sequel features Anthony Hopkins reprising his role as the infamous serial killer Hannibal Lecter.
When the novel was published in 1999, its violence caused controversy. So much so that Silence of the Lambs director Jonathan Demme, screenwriter Ted Tally, and original star Jodie Foster all declined to be involved in its adaptation. Julianne Moore stepped in to play FBI Special Agent Clarice Starling after Foster passed.
Scott became attached after the success of Gladiator. He signed onto the project after reading the script by David Mamet and Steven Zaillian.
RELATED: Anthony Hopkins Regrets Playing Hannibal More Than Once
Set ten years after Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) escaped from custody. The doctor is now at large in Europe. Mason Verger (Gary Oldman) remembers Lecter too and is obsessed with revenge. Verger was Dr. Lecter’s sixth victim, and though horribly disfigured, has survived. Verger realizes that to draw the doctor into the open, he must use someone as bait: Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore).
Rated R for strong gruesome violence, some nudity and language, the film sports an 39% approval rating over on Rotten Tomatoes. The Critics Consensus reads: While superbly acted and stylishly filmed, Hannibal lacks the character interaction between the two leads which made the first movie so engrossing.
Do you dig Hannibal?
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