The Silence of the Lambs

1991 · directed by Jonathan Demme

Rating

96/100

Hit

yes

Prestige lists

AFI 100, Oscar Winner, Criterion, NFR

Clarice Starling is a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991), directed by Jonathan Demme, rates 96/100 — a hit. See how its director, cast and crew rate across their careers.

Cast

• Jodie Foster
• Anthony Hopkins
• Scott Glenn
• Ted Levine
• Anthony Heald
• Brooke Smith
• Diane Baker
• Kasi Lemmons
• Frankie Faison
• Tracey Walter

Crew

• Tak Fujimoto — Director of Photography
• Craig McKay — Editor
• Howard Shore — Original Music Composer
• Ted Tally — Screenplay

More from Jonathan Demme

1. Stop Making Sense (1984) — 90/100 · hit
2. Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids (2016) — 77/100
3. Philadelphia (1993) — 76/100
4. Melvin and Howard (1980) — 76/100
5. Something Wild (1986) — 74/100
6. Rachel Getting Married (2008) — 73/100

How these numbers work: Methodology