The Silence of the Lambs is one of the greatest thrillers of all time, horror movies and psychological dramas. It’s one of the most successful films in history and has won several Academy Awards.
But what is the origin of this phrase? Why is the movie called Silence of the Lambs? In this article, we will explore the source, history and meaning of this phrase, and why it has come to be so iconic.
Silence of the Lambs — An Overview
Silence of the Lambs is a psychological horror movie, released in the year 1991, directed by Jonathan Demme. The movie stars Jodie Foster, who plays an FBI trainee Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins, who plays the role of a cannibalistic killer named Dr. Hannibal Lecter.It is one among the few movies to win the coveted five major Academy Awards, which include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Actress.
Storyline
The story revolves around Clarice Starling, who is a rookie FBI trainee, selected to try and obtain information from an imprisoned serial killer, Hannibal Lecter.After reluctantly agreeing to help, Hannibal Lecter gives her valuable information which are based on his detailed observations. As Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter, interact, she begins to cultivate a strong and complex bond with him as they share their secrets.
Through the course of the movie, Clarice will be dragged deeper into Hannibal Lecter’s mind as she tries to catch the serial killer ‘Buffalo Bill’.
Why is the movie called ‘Silence of the Lambs’?
The movie is ‘called ‘Silence of the Lambs’ because of a major theme in the movie.The ‘Lambs’ in this case refer to Clarice Starling as well as Catherine. Silence of the Lambs highlights themes of power, manipulation and death, represented by scenes of lambs being slaughtered in the beginning and end of the movie. The silence in the title also reflects on Clarice’s very nature.
Due to the lack of support from her family, she silently and patiently endured hardships in her past. This is one of the reasons why Hannibal Lecter finds her helpful in obtaining information he needs.