One of the most iconic images in the history of the genre is no doubt the reveal of Hannibal’s restraint mask in Silence of the Lambs, worn by star Anthony Hopkins. It’s hard to imagine the mask looking any different, though you may be surprised to learn that it wasn’t the first choice.
Prior to the cameras rolling, Anthony Hopkins tried on several different variations of the mask, which included a beekeeper’s mask and a baseball catcher’s helmet. Thanks to The Criterion Collection, some GIFs of that behind-the-scenes test footage have been revealed for the very first time.
Check out the snippets of footage below, and good luck trying to imagine a world wherein Hannibal wore any mask other than the one we’ve come to know, love, fear, and respect!
