Hannibal (2001)

Directed by: Ridley Scott | 131 minutes | drama, crime, thriller | Actors: Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Ray Liotta, Gary Oldman, Giancarlo Giannini, Frankie Faison, Francesca Neri, Zeljko Ivanek, Hazelle Goodman, David Andrews, Francis Guinan, James Opher, Enrico Lo Verso, Ivano Marescotti, Fabrizio Gifuni

It took ten years before the sequel to the successful ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ was finally there. Thomas Harris, author of the bestsellers ‘Red Dragon’ (1981) and ‘Silence of the Lambs’ (1988), wrote ‘Hannibal’ especially for its film adaptation. But when he finally finished his manuscript, many of the original Oscar-winning cast and crew were unwilling to participate in the sequel to ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991). Even after fifteen screenplays, director Jonathan Demme was not satisfied, screenwriter Ted Tally also withdrew, and Foster did not find the storyline for her character believable. Julianne Moore was then allowed to take on the role of agent Clarice Starling. Ridley Scott from ‘Blade Runner’ (1982) and ‘Gladiator’ (2000) was allowed to take over the direction from Demme. Only Sir Anthony Hopkins returned as Dr. Hannibal ‘The Cannibal’ Lecter.

The ‘Hannibal’ series so far consists of ‘Manhunter’ (1986), ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991), ‘Hannibal’ (2001) and ‘Red Dragon’ (2002). ‘Red Dragon’ is the prequel to ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ and a remake of ‘Manhunter’. In the correct time sequence, ‘Hannibal’ is the last part of the series for the time being. ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ laid the foundations for the relationship between then FBI pupil Starling and man-eating psychopath Lecter. At the end of “The Silence of the Lambs,” Dr. Lecter said goodbye to Clarice and us with the phrase, “I’m getting a friend to eat.”

Lecter has already prepared several tasty meals. He is hiding in sunny Florence where he lives the good life. He has the identity of Dr. Fell, a researcher of medieval Italian writings. If dr. fierce. Lecter works as a curator at the Palazzo Vecchio. There Lecter comes into contact with Detective Pazzi, who is investigating the disappearance of a caretaker. Pazzi slowly begins to suspect that Dr. Fell the infamous Dr. Lecter is. Meanwhile, Starling, who is under fire for a case gone wrong, is approached by wealthy Mason Verger. Verger was one of the first patients of Dr. Lecter and the ‘treatment’ left him with a horribly disfigured face. Verger wants revenge and has written out a huge reward for a tip on Lecter’s whereabouts. Verger hopes to use Starling, the only person who can get the Doctor out of hiding, to do this. Detective Pazzi likes the reward and decides to go after Lecter alone in Florence. Lecter, in turn, puts a lot on the line to get back in touch with Starling. In ‘Hannibal’ the extremely curious relationship between Starling and Lecter is deepened and taken to a higher level.

This cast can also be there. Moore is doing fine, but many viewers still have Foster’s impressive performance in mind. Hopkins is once again the creepy murderous but also tasteful Dr. reader. A role that will remain forever associated with Hopkins. Maybe a little too much. After filming Hannibal, it was rumored that Hopkins could often be found in restaurants eating chicken liver and chianti with the Hannibal look in his eyes. There are also Ray Liotta from (‘Goodfellas’ (1990)) and an unrecognizable Gary Oldman (‘Dracula’ (1992) and ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ (2004)). However, despite the cast’s good acting, ‘Hannibal’ cannot reach the level of suspense and thrill of ‘The Silence of the Lambs’. ‘Red Dragon’ (2002) is a better attempt at that in that respect. ‘Hannibal’ has become a completely different film so it doesn’t really fit in the list. The film also leans much more towards the horror genre than towards that of a thriller. Sometimes ‘Hannibal’ even enters the comedy genre because some scenes are as sickening as they are laughable.

The best side of ‘Hannibal’ is not the story, but especially the location. Beautiful Florence (Firenze) is optimally used for the film. ‘Hannibal’ takes us past Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Capponi, Santa Croce, Piazza Santo Spirito and Forte di Belvedere. The cinematography and music are very good. Occasionally ‘Hannibal’ also feels like a travel program for people with very special tastes. The dark atmosphere of the predecessor has thus disappeared. There is also Harris’s lesser quality book, most likely the product of the choice of commerce over art.