The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Jonathan Demme's classic film version of the second Thomas Harris novel to feature his charismatic psychopathic psychiatrist Hannibal Lector gets a limited edition 4KUHD and Blu-ray release from Arrow Films.

You know the plot, don't you? If not then you have a real treat in store and certainly not one I'm going to spoil, suffice to say that THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS is the police procedural thriller that launched a thousand imitators, most of them on television and episodes of some of which are still continuing to be made to this day. As well as shows like Crime Scene Investigation it's also easy to see how it inspired more fantasy-related programmes like Chris Carter's the X Files.

Of course, what sets the film apart from 'just' being 'FBI trainee cracks a case' is the masterstroke that is Hannibal Lecter and the icy, magnetic performance of Anthony Hopkins who plays him. It's been stated so many times how little screen time he actually has but so memorable is he that even when Lecter isn't around he's still playing on the mind.

It's a mark of just how iconic a film has become when it's possible to point out scene after scene that has been used in comedy sketches or just plain imitated in films made subsequently. However, it's a testament to the skill of all involved that, 33 years after it was made, THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS doesn't feel especially dated and still retains much of its ability to not just shock an audience but keep it in suspense.

Arrow's disc is packed with extras, including two commentary tracks. If you want the facts then go for the archival Tim Lucas one, however, of you fancy a fascinating discussion between trans film academics then you want the new one by Elizabeth Purchell and Caden Mark Gardner.

Other new material includes two new visual essays. Through Her Eyes (8 minutes) discusses Jodie Foster's character of Clarice Starling, while Healing Humanity (16 minutes) looks at how the film tells its story via the different characters' POV. 

Breaking the Silence is an archival 'on-screen interview and trivia track' that plays throughout the film, all available as a separate extra. Page to Screen is a 41 minute 2002 Bravo TV episode about the film, while other archival pieces include a 2004 interview with Howard Shore (16 minutes), a 1991 making of (8 minutes), and a 51 minute documentary on the collaboration of Jonathan Demme and Jodie Foster on the film.

You get 20 minutes of deleted scenes and an addition seven minutes of deleted scenes from VHS sources, plus two minutes of outtakes, trailer, TV spots and image gallery. Oh, and Anthony Hopkins' telephone answering machine message. 

Finally, Arrow's limited edition set contains a booklet with new writing on the film, a double-sided poster and six double sided reproduction lobby cards. 

Jonathan Demme's THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS is out on 4K UHD and Blu-ray from Arrow Films on Monday 26th August 2024