An FBI agent comes out of early retirement to catch a serial killer. Competent adaptation of the Thomas Harris novel (already filmed as Manhunter), here styled as a prequel to The Silence of the Lambs. Over-familiar material means diminishing returns though, despite good work from cast and crew.
Tag: Thomas Harris
Hannibal (2001, dir. Ridley Scott)
Clarice Starling is helped by a former victim of Lecter’s to find the escaped Hannibal. Elegant sequel to The Silence of the Lambs with Lecter repositioned as an antihero. Lots to enjoy if you go with it, though it lacks the impact of its predecessor.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991, dir. Jonathan Demme)
An FBI trainee enlists the help of a serial killer inmate to catch a murderer. Still-excellent adaptation of the Thomas Harris novel, faithful to the book but its own thing also. Autumnal and austere, with just a touch of gothic, and loaded with subtext.
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