The 15 Best Quotes From The Silence Of The Lambs

Summary

Hannibal Lecter’s quotes reveal his incredible ego and manipulative nature, showcasing how he thinks and behaves.
The dialogue in The Silence of the Lambs is exceptional and evidence of why it won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Clarice Starling’s strength and battles against sexism in her profession are important elements of the movie’s feminist themes.

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Along with creating one of the most chilling movie villains of all time and delivering huge thrills, The Silence of the Lambs quotes have helped cement its impressive cinematic reputation. The movie is often regarded as one of the greatest movies ever made, and certainly one of the greatest crime dramas. While it includes many tropes of the “catching a serial killer” movie, it transcends the genre thanks to some masterful writing, acting, and directing. Several standout quotes from The Silence of the Lambs highlight its terrific characters and bone-chilling sequences that have made it a classic.

Adapted from the novel by Thomas Harris, The Silence of the Lambs has an incredible script, and its numerous Hannibal Lecter sequels and prequels have failed to match its quality. Ted Tally even won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, a fine reward for filling this film with some of the finest dialogue ever heard in a crime drama. Though Lecter himself gets to deliver many of the movie’s most memorable lines, there are several other quotes from The Silence of the Lambs that fans remember all these years later.

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15 “Jack Crawford Sent A Trainee To Me?”

Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins)

The image of Hannibal Lecter waiting patiently in his cell for Clarice Starling is one of the most unforgettable character introductions in movie history. Upon glancing at Clarice’s badge, Hannibal notices that it expires in one week.

When Clarice tells him that she’s a trainee, a look of surprise crosses his face, and he can’t help but ask, “Jack Crawford sent a trainee to me?” It displays Hannibal’s incredible ego. Not only is he one of the country’s most feared criminals (not exactly something a trainee should be dealing with), but he also believes that a trainee will crumble under his intelligence and machinations.

With these few words, audiences already glean an understanding of how Hannibal Lecter thinks and behaves. However, it also suggests that Clarice may be out of her depth and Crawford has thrown her into a dire situation.

14 “You Know What You Look Like To Me With Your Good Bag And Your Cheap Shoes? You Look Like A Rube.”

Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins)

From behind a glass wall in his cell, Hannibal Lecter still manages to feel as though he is totally in control. He is an expert at reading people and immediately gets to work picking apart Clarice when she first comes to visit him.

Though his infatuation with her will grow over time, his first impression of her is not impressive. He reads her in a way that suggests he has done this to many other people who came to visit and was effective at summing them up.

Perhaps spurred on by his insulted ego at having this inexperienced agent sent to him, Hannibal taunts her as a “rube” and attacks the thing she is most conscious of — her lack of experience. He attempts to cut her down emotionally as if that is the only type of fun he is able to have when he is separated from the rest of the world by his cell.

13 “People Will Say We’re In Love.”

Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins)

Though he is dismissive of her at first, Hannibal not only grows to admire Clarice but even develops an infatuation with her. Though he generally keeps their conversation polite and courteous, he does not try to hide the fact that he sees something alluring in Clarice which adds another layer of tension to their scenes together.

As the investigation continues, Clarice makes several visits to Hannibal. When she arrives for another of their sessions, he greets her by suggesting that people will begin to talk about how much time they spend together.

It is Hannibal’s way of teasing her, making an intriguing observation about what their relationship is. However, it may also be a brief glimpse into his own mind and what he wishes their relationship could be. Indeed, the sequel Hannibal makes it clear how he views Clarice.

12 “Oh, And Senator, Just One More Thing: Love The Suit.”

Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins)

No Merchandising. Editorial Use Only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Everett Collection / Rex Features ( 411879fv ) ‘THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS’ – Anthony Hopkins – 1991 VARIOUS

When Catherine Martin becomes the latest captive of the serial killer Buffalo Bill, desperate measures are taken to bring her back as she is the daughter of Senator Ruth Martin. Lecter is brought in to offer his expertise on the case and insists on meeting the senator in person. Once again, though Lecter is bound and wearing a mask, he seems in control and first toys with the senator before offering some made-up clues of who Buffalo Bill is.

Before leaving, Lecter compliments the senator’s wardrobe. The sly sense of humor Lecter shows in this moment is more playful than he has ever seen before, but it is all the more chilling that he knew the comment would disturb the senator. It may also hint that he knows what Buffalo Bill is planning on doing with his captive.

11 “Ready When You Are Sergeant Pembry.”

Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins)

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Lecter’s escape from prison is one of the most memorable moments in the Oscar-winning horror movie. After seeing him behind bars for the entire movie, the audience glimpses the monstrous and dangerous side of Lecter.

He enacts his plan when the guards are serving him dinner, patiently and politely waiting for them to go through the normal serving routine only to then strike in a terrifying way. In the aftermath, one guard is dead and the other, Pembry, tries to crawl away.

Lecter calmly picks up the discarded knife and repeats his line, “Ready when you are, Sergeant Pembry.” It is a fascinating look at Lecter as a villain as he flashes from polite gentleman to wild animal then returns to politeness with a more sinister edge as he plans more horrible things for his victim.

10 “I Can’t Explain It… He – He Would Consider That Rude.”

Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster)

When Hannibal does escape from prison and kills several people in the process, it makes sense that there are some who think Clarice might be in danger. Given their interactions and the interest Hannibal has shown in her, Clarice’s best friend, Ardelia, expresses her concern.

Despite her friend’s skepticism, Clarice insists that Hannibal will not come after her because it would be “rude” in his mind. Even as Clarice admits it is a strange idea, it is not hard to see her point given what the audience has seen about Hannibal.

They struck a bond together, as unorthodox as it is, and it would be a breach of trust for him to seek her out now. As grisly as Hannibal is as a killer, there are moments that suggest he does have some code and that he is especially protective of Clarice.

9 “A Census Taker Once Tried To Test Me. I Ate His Liver With Some Fava Beans And A Nice Chianti.”

Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins)

This is likely Hannibal Lecter’s most famous quote and one of the most chilling. By this point in the movie, Hannibal’s horrific crimes have been well exposited and understood by Clarice, but when she meets Hannibal, she sees a rather polite and agreeable man who treats her with respect.

However, when she throws a snide remark his way, he offhandedly mentions how he once ate a man’s liver. The sly, almost inconsequential way he so matter-of-factly states it truly reveals the monster underneath the façade.

Hannibal and Clarice know that he is behind bars, but there is still a lot of power to this threat with the idea that he could really do it if he wanted to. The fact that he follows it up with the iconic slurping noise, which was improvised by Anthony Hopkins in the moment, adds to the unsettling and memorable quote.

8 “Well, Clarice. Have The Lambs Stopped Screaming?”

Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins)

Upon making his violent escape from prison, Hannibal flees to Bimini and phones Clarice after she catches Buffalo Bill. The first thing he asks her is if the lambs have stopped screaming, referencing a prior discussion that the two had shared.

The Silence of the Lambs is a brilliant crime thriller, but it’s also a psychological drama concerning the mind of Clarice Starling. Clarice is a good person, and she desperately wants to help the defenseless of the world.

By asking her if the lambs have stopped screaming, Hannibal is both confirming the capture of Buffalo Bill and the appeasement of Clarice’s desire. In a strange way, it shows that Hannibal cares for her, genuinely checking in with her even if it might risk exposing him in his hiding. However, it is also a reminder to her that he is inside her head.

7 “I’m Having An Old Friend For Dinner.”

Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins)

One of the greatest puns in the history of film comes at the end of The Silence of the Lambs. After catching up with Clarice over the phone, Hannibal cuts the conversation short as he reveals that he’s “having an old friend for dinner” while hiding out in Bimini.

The “friend” in question is Dr. Frederick Chilton, the director of the “Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane”. Given Hannibal’s disdain for the man, it is perhaps not surprising that he sought him out as a form of revenge.

It’s a masterful final line, proving both threatening and darkly hilarious in equal measure. While it sounds like some type of cordial get-together, it is clear that Chilton is about to meet a gruesome fate. While the movie ends before Chilton realizes he has walked into Hannibal’s trap, the sequel Hannibal confirms that Chilton went missing shortly after.

6 “Not ‘Just’, Clarice. What Set You Off?”

Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins)

As exciting of a thriller as The Silence of the Lambs is, some of the most thrilling scenes are simply the conversations between Hannibal and Clarice. The pivotal and most important moment of the entire film sees Hannibal and Clarice discussing her childhood inside the Memphis courthouse/makeshift prison.

Hannibal wishes to discuss her past traumas, but Clarice seems reluctant. When she coldly states, “One day I just ran away,” Hannibal digs deeper, stating, “Not ‘just’, Clarice” and asking “What set you off?”

By probing further, Hannibal is able to break Clarice’s shell, and she finally admits the truth about the metaphorical screaming lambs and her desire to help the helpless, the revelation that gives the title The Silence of the Lambs new meaning. The Oscar-winning performances of Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster make this exchange one of the most compelling moments in the movie.

5 “Why Don’t You Look At Yourself And Write Down What You See? Or Maybe You’re Afraid To.”

Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster)

When Clarice first meets Hannibal, he remains one step ahead of her throughout the length of their conversation. He’s aware of the numerous FBI tricks she’s pulling to gain trust, and he’s easily able to read Clarice’s past, character, and desires. However, Clarice is a strong woman, and though she is intimidated by him, she eventually turns the tables on Hannibal by asking him to analyze himself.

Not only does the line establish Clarice as a strong, take-no-nonsense agent, but it also demonstrates that she can go toe-to-toe with Hannibal in conversation. This could be the moment in which Hannibal agrees to help her, perhaps respecting her drive and fortitude. Though she is underestimated, she proves to be smarter than many of the people she comes across and makes Hannibal second guess his initial assessment of her.

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4 “Cops Look At You To See How To Act. It Matters.”

Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster)

Clarice Starling is one of the strongest female leads of all time, and the movie is as much about her strength as it is about the hunt for a serial killer. She is not only willing to challenge Hannibal in his mind games but also call out her own boss when he is wrong.

Jack Crawford pulls the Sheriff away from Starling, knowing that he won’t want to talk business in front of a woman. This understandably irritates Starling, and she later confronts Crawford about it.

It’s not only important to Clarice’s character development, but it also proves one of the movie’s most important sequences in terms of its feminist themes. The movie does a great job of showing Clarice battling against the sexism in her profession without making it a direct part of the narrative.

3 “It Rubs The Lotion On Its Skin Or Else It Gets The Hose Again!”

Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine)

The Silence of the Lambs contains two terrifying villains, and fans continue to debate about who is the scariest. Anthony Hopkins might get most of the attention for his amazing performance as Hannibal, but Ted Levine’s work should not be overlooked as the serial killer on the loose.

This iconic line from Buffalo Bill is perhaps the movie’s most famous, providing a nightmare-inducing glimpse into the detached mind and practices of the prolific serial killer. He wants Catherine to lotion up so her skin is clean and suitable for wearing, and he uses a hose against her when she disobeys.

Perhaps the most important thing to take away is his use of “it” rather than “she,” establishing the complete disassociation he undergoes when interacting with his victims. Levine delivers a haunting performance that deserves the same level of acclaim as his costars.

2 “Memory, Agent Starling, Is What I Have Instead Of A View.”

Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins)

One of the first things that Clarice notices in Lecter’s cell is his incredibly detailed drawing of Florence, Italy. When she inquires about the detail, Lecter simply states, “Memory, Agent Starling, is what I have instead of a view.” This line does a couple of things. Not only is it greatly written and performed, but it also depicts Lecter as a cultured savant, with both a deep knowledge of Florence and a great talent for art.

However, it also sets up his frustrating lack of a view, which is something that Clarice will utilize to her advantage while trying to sway Lecter later in the movie. The intelligence and culture Lecter has makes him all the more chilling as a remorseless killer. However, it also cements him as a truly unique and fascinating movie villain.

1 “You Won’t Wake Up In The Dark Ever Again To That Awful Screaming Of The Lambs.”

Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins)

The dynamic between Hannibal and Clarice makes for one of the most interesting hero and villain relationships in movie history. Each time they meet their conversations grow more intense and more revealing, strengthening their unusual bond.

During the movie’s most pivotal sequence, Clarice finally unveils her lamb dream to Dr. Lecter. He in turn sheds his eerie, serial killer persona for just a second and inhabits his past life as a psychiatrist, helping Clarice to understand her dream.

When she spills the details, Hannibal finally understands her desire and motivations – the motivation to clear her head of past trauma and help the helpless. With this, he finally understands Clarice and is able to let her go, both as an FBI agent and now as a client. It might not be a sentiment he can relate to, but it seems as though he has some hope for her to achieve her goal and find peace.

Silence of the Lambs

The Silence of the Lambs follows FBI trainee Clarice Sterling (Jodie Foster) as she hunts a serial killer known as Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine). To find the killer, she must place her trust in the notoriously dangerous but brilliant cannibal, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). With Buffalo Bill’s latest victim the daughter of a U.S. Senator, the pressure is on Sterling to catch the criminal before he can bring his twisted scheme to fruition.

Director jonathan demme Release Date February 14, 1991 Cast Scott Glenn , Jodie Foster , Anthony Hopkins , Ted Levine , Anthony Heald Runtime 118 minutes

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