There is a grace in his life now. An elegance which suits him nicely. And yet, he thinks of her and wonders if his life can ever be complete without her. Her strength comes from a regimen of discipline and a clarity of purpose. Yet there is a shadow that follows her everywhere. A faint distraction - making her feel … vulnerable. Ten years later, he is still her most terrifying nightmare. Ten years later, she is still his fondest fantasy.

tagline Break The Silence.

concept Hannibal returns to America and attempts to make contact with disgraced Agent Starling and survive a vengeful victim's plan.

background We first met Dr. Hannibal Lecter in 1986 when Michael Mann adapted and filmed "Manhunter" - based on   Thomas Harris's best-selling novel Red Dragon: In Pursuit of Dr. Hannibal Lecter. "The Silence of the Lambs"  was adapted for the screen by Ted Tally and directed by Jonathan Demme in 1991.Now, director Ridley Scott takes on an adaptation of the third novel in the trilogy,  adapted for the screen by David Mamet and Steven Zaillian.  Ten years have passed since Dr. Hannibal Lecter escaped from custody, ten years since FBI Agent Clarice Starling interviewed him in a maximum-security hospital for the criminally insane. The doctor is now at large in Italy, gloriously at liberty in an unguarded world. But Starling has never forgotten her encounters with Dr. Lecter - his cold voice still haunts her dreams.

synopsis Following his escape from the asylum in "Silence of the Lambs", Dr. Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) goes into hiding and flees the country - to Florence, Italy. Despite living a now quiet life, Dr. Lecter finds it necessary to return to America to see FBI Agent Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore) - falling into the trap of one of his old victims, Mason Verger (Gary Oldman) desperate for revenge. Disfigured and confined to a life-support system, he plans to draw Lecter out of his hiding place, using the one thing he truly cares for: Clarice Starling. FBI agent Starling finds out about Mason's evil plot and will do anything to make sure that Mason doesn't succeed.

behind the scenes "There are two ways to make a movie," says producer Dino De Laurentiis, "You make the movie like the script, shot by shot, putting together what is on the page. Or you create, day by day, a movie that is inspiration. That is what Fellini did in his time. That is what Ridley Scott does"

Not since the genius of Shelly or Stoker brought the undead to life has so a terrifying, yet magnetic monster appeared in literature.

"We like Hannibal Lecter because, like a contemporary Nosferatu, he is essentially charming and seductive at the same time he is terrifying us," says Ridley Scott. "As with all the great monsters of literature, there is a perverse curiosity that makes us want to know what makes them tick. Hannibal's appeal is less mystical than some of the others. He exists and functions in our lives - which makes him all the more frightening. With Hannibal, there is a strong possibility he is walking on the street right next to you."

"I suppose Jungian psychoanalysts would say it's a shadow that we have in all of us," says Anthony Hopkins. "Or maybe it's his certainty, his calmness that we probably envy. Some of the most colorful figures in classical literature, Iago, Richard III, Faust have those qualities. They're so brilliant. They have no doubts. They have no uncertainty. That's what makes them charismatic: they're always in control."

"Lecter has a sort of admiration for Starling because she is so steadfast in her pursuit of him," says Julianne Moore. "And she has real respect for him, what a dangerous person he truly is, so, the courage of her pursuit is even more admirable. But her strict sense of right and wrong, compels her to, at one point, become his protector. This intense morality may even be what makes her most appealing to him."

When Thomas Harris began the long-anticipated book that would become Hannibal, and summoned his dark creation from the part of the imagination in which it had been incubating for nearly a decade, he kept it so secret that even producers Martha and Dino DeLaurentiis, were kept from knowing any details.

"Every six months or so, Dino or I would pick up the phone and call Tom," recalls Martha DeLaurentiis. "We'd ask, 'How's it going? Do you have any idea when the book is going to be delivered?' But Tom keeps very much to himself during the process. He's very much a 'closed set'."

They finally learned that Harris had given Hannibal a home in one of his own beloved cities, Florence, and when the book was finally published in July 1999, the world was treated to a glimpse of not only the beauty and culture of Florence - but also its traditions of blood-letting and betrayal.

"The film incorporates, as does the novel, a lot of wit," says Scott. "That's what really attracted me to the book. It wasn't just a story about darkness and detective work. It has some very humorous characters and situations."

"In 'Silence', one of the strong underpinnings that emerged during the story was the growing respect and civilised exchange between two human beings who couldn't have been farther apart in terms of their positions in life - that is to say, serial killer and FBI Agent," says Scott. "In a strange way, there's a parallel between these two beings in that they are both superb practitioners of their businesses and both are lone wolves, without significant relationships in their lives. Because of these similarities, I get a feeling of kindred spirits. And that is what fascinates me."

review by daniel dercksen The silence is broken with Ridley Scott's superb adaptation of a sequel that has kept audiences waiting for ten years, and will have audiences talking about for the next ten years.

What makes it a remarkable achievement is that, despite the horror and suspense, it is one of the most fascinating and tragic love stories ever told.   A story about love that turns into an obsession, and an obsession that turns into a lonely and pitiful existence. A story about those who seek freedom, and ultimately find it in the aftermath of impulsive and instinctive actions.

Hannibal comes with baggage. Heavy baggage. Thomas Harris' best-selling novels; the box-office hit Silence of the Lambs (which received 5 Oscar awards including Best Picture); and Michael Mann's explosive film Manhunter. The baggage and expectations so heavy in fact, that two of the world greatest screenwriters were called in to write the screenplay: David Mamet and Steven Zailian.

This all rests in the vision of one man: director Ridley Scott, whose stylised visualisation reminds strongly of his brother Tony Scott's 1983 The Hunger.

Scott's brilliance is evidence in how he manipulates the heavy subplotted and subtexted storyline: challenging the audience and teasing them with superb craftsmanship - almost like Hannibal stalking one of his victims. The excellent exposition explodes when the reality of what is happening, and what is about to unfold, collides.  The audience is jolted into an uncomfortable resolution, where there is little light in the darkness of Hannibal's crazed mindscape.

Scott defuses the graphic and gory detail with masterful visual dynamics, using the splendid canvas of cinema to paint subtle strokes of genius.

The exceptional production design and cinematography are blessed with another great score by Hans Zimmer. It is a haunting soundtrack, offering beautiful angelic purity contrasting heavily with the pounding and rhythmic beat. This is further highlighted by mind-blowing sound design and incredible make-up design.

An added bonus is the great cast, headed by Anthony Hopkins and Julian Moore, with strong support from Gary Oldman and Ray Liotta. The actors bring depth and understanding to characters that connect with the audience on an almost primeval level.

If you have not seen Silence of The Lambs, please do so before watching Hannibal. A lot of the exposition and especially the relationship between Dr. Lecter and Clarice will seem confusing.

People will definitely talk about Hannibal.

Hannibal will linger in the minds of those who indulge in disturbing psycho-thrillers. 

Have a taste of a truly frightening and shocking experience before others spoil the meal.

box-office breaker: During its opening weekend in South Africa, Hannibal took a  huge bite of the box-office,  a whole 49% of the total gross!

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