The lambs are still screaming in this sumptuous treatment of Jonathan Demme’s iconic film
Criterion does sterling work, giving the royal treatment to important cinematic achievement, both historical and modern, from foreign fare to American indie and everything in between. All of their output is worth consideration and appreciation, but there are some releases it’s hard to deny hold more allure than others. Such is the case with The Silence of the Lambs, a film already indoctrinated to the collection on DVD (Spine #13), now getting a fresh remaster and release that reinvigorates a film that still lingers fresh in the mind.
Synopsis:
In this chilling adaptation of the best-selling novel by Thomas Harris, the astonishingly versatile director Jonathan Demme crafted a taut psychological thriller about an American obsession: serial murder. As Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee who enlists the help of the infamous Hannibal “the Cannibal” Lecter to gain insight into the mind of another killer, Jodie Foster subverts classic gender dynamics and gives one of the most memorable performances of her career. As her foil, Anthony Hopkins is the archetypal antihero — cultured, quick-witted, and savagely murderous — delivering a harrowing portrait of humanity gone terribly wrong. A gripping police procedural and a disquieting immersion into a twisted psyche, The Silence of the Lambs swept the Academy Awards® (best picture, director, screenplay, actress, actor) and remains a cultural touchstone.
So much has been written about Silence that it’s difficult to add anything truly new, save to heap on the praise for Jonathan Demme’s exquisitely crafted horror. Some may label the 1991 film a thriller, and that’s unarguably a component — it’s certainly more palatable a tag to some — but the horror component is undeniable. It was released in a February, etched itself into the public and critical consciousness, and it rode the wave of acclaim to multiple award wins. It did something similar to what Get Out is doing this year, championing a genre rarely recognized during awards season.
Anthony Hopkin’s Hannibal Lecter is terrifying in his civility and education. Unnerving, whimsical, terrifying, Hopkins channels every ounce of his stage experience into every movement, facial expression, character tic, and even cadence, crafting an instantly realized icon of cinema. Jodie Foster’s contribution should not be understated in the face of such an iconic performance from Hopkins. Her Clarice Starling is sharp, tenacious, and capable, but adrift in a sea of predatory men, some her co-workers. While Hopkins steals the show, it’s Foster that gives Silence true substance.
Thomas Harris’ original works were explored in stunning fashion in Bryan Fuller’s Hannibal series. TV provided a broad canvas to explore multiple facets of the books, but Demme builds Silence in a meticulous fashion, interweaving locations and plotlines while crafting a haunting ambiance, cinematographer Tak Fujimoto imbuing every frame with a beautiful chill. As well as exploring this mentor-mentee relationship between Hannibal and Starling, he fully realizes the thriller and procedural aspects of the books, charting the institution of law trying to tackle and understand these killers. It’s these moments and insights that linger long in the mind, immersing us in the twisted psychology of monsters and their evil deeds; perhaps the biggest chill in the film comes from the snapping sounds of a camera during the autopsy of a victim. Interest in the psyche of serial killers and sociopaths has only grown since its release, and despite the number of entries to this burgeoning sub-genre, as well as a series of lackluster sequels, it’s a testament to its potency that The Silence of the Lambs remains the top of the food chain.
The Package
This Criterion release features a new 4K restoration of The Silence of the Lambs approved by director of photography Tak Fujimoto. The result is a thing of beauty. The darker scenes, of which there are many, are perhaps the best example of how much more depth and detail is apparent. Colors are natural but strongly represented, and a natural grain is preserved. Criterion also went to town in terms of special features:
- Audio commentary from 1994 featuring director Jonathan Demme, actors Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, screenwriter Ted Tally, and former FBI agent John Douglas
- New interview with critic Maitland McDonagh: A considered look at the history of serial killers and their depiction in American cinema. The featurette touches on different adaptations of Harris’ work, as well as non-Hannibal related fare.
- Thirty-eight minutes of deleted scenes: A range of qualities that overall are of good to great quality. It’s a large amount of footage that ranges from slightly expanded scenes to sequences that were cut entirely. A very interesting and juicy addition to the release.
- Jonathan Demme and Jodie Foster: A featurette that blends interview footage with production content to delve into the adaptation of the film, its making, as well as its reception upon release. Running nearly an hour, it’s illuminating fare.
- Inside the Labyrinth: Originally produced for the film’s 10th anniversary, fans should be familiar with this documentary that explores the impact of the film on cinema and pop culture. It features interviews with cast, crew, and notables of the film industry, and its inclusion is very welcome.
- Page to Screen: An episode of the TV show that looks at how the film interpreted Harris’ original novel.
- Understanding the Madness: Interesting interview footage with FBI agents sharing their approaches to criminal profiling at the bureau.
- Scoring The Silence: Interview with composer Howard Shore about his work on the film and how he married character moments with music.
- Behind-the-scenes featurette: Bog standard BTS promo.
- Storyboards: Illustrations by artist Kalina Ivanov.
- Trailer: Restored original trailer.
- PLUS: A book featuring an introduction by Foster, an essay by critic Amy Taubin, pieces from 2000 and 2013 by author Thomas Harris on the origins of the character Hannibal Lecter, and a 1991 interview with Demme: A high quality book, packed with content, including interviews, an essay, and details on the 4K transfer. It’s beautifully put together, featuring new artwork that matches the slipcase, and fold out insert. Undeniably one of the more handsome Criterion releases.
The Bottom Line
It’s been 27 years since The Silence of the Lambs was released and it remains as compelling and chilling as it ever did. It’s a film that still feels fresh and innovative, but still it’s been given a new lease on life by a sumptuous Criterion restoration and release. The lambs are still screaming.
The Silence of the Lambs is available via Criterion from Feb 13th, 2018.