The film The Silence of the Lambs from 1991 stars Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling, an FBI agent in training. She is assigned to interview the imprisoned psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter, played by Anthony Hopkins, to gain insight into a serial killer who is skinning women. The film uses camera techniques like close-ups and lighting to build tension as Clarice questions the creepy yet intelligent Lecter in his stark prison cell about the case.

1. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS

2. ABOUT THE FILM
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The film was made in 1991.
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It stars Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins and Lawrence A. Bonney.
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Imdb rated it 8.7 out of 10.
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It was released in America on 14 th February 1991.
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It was originally a novel, which Thomas Harris wrote.
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It is rated R in America.

3. PLOT
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Clarice Starling is a young FBI agent in training who has been assigned to help
find a missing woman and save her from a psychopathic serial killer who skins
his victims. Clarice tries to get a better insight into the mind of the killer by
talking to another psychopath, Hannibal Lector, who used to be a respected
psychiatrist

4. TECHNICAL CONVENTIONS
CAMERA
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Many over the shoulder shots, this shows conversation between the two
characters
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Lots of close up’s. clip contains lots of emotion. Close ups help audience identify
the characters
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Mid shots, show characters body language and facial expressions.
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Low angle shot of Hannibal Lector - makes him look powerful and authorities.
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High angle shot on woman, makes her look small weak and vulnerable
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Shallow focus. Attention drawn to characters.

5. EDITING
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Quick shots between characters
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Slow scene- tension- focus on narrative

6. SOUND
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Mostly dialogue.
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No background music- tense- can focus on what is being said
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Some background ,music whilst walking to cell
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Exaggerated sound on high heels

7. MISE-EN-SCENE
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Lighting:
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Chiarscuro
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Quite bright
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Highlighting- eyes stood out

8. COSTUME
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Prison jump suit (grey) – Hannibal
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Woman suit – Professional (FBI or similar)
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Grey – bland, boring.

9. PROPS
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FBI badge
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Prison cell furniture
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Official documents

10. COLOUR
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Grey, browns – Boring, bland, not exciting. Neutral!

11. LOCATION
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Prison
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Prison cell

12. OPINIONS
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The start was slow as the speech was whispered at a slow pace which created
tension.
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The shots were close ups and very personal and so made you look at the right
character.
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It was good because it was intriguing and made you want to watch more but it
was slow getting into it.
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Hannibal was creepy and organised in a prison way in that his room was perfectly
organised.
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The woman was innocent and scared and her pale face and pink lips represented
this as it showed she was pure and vulnerable.
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The background made it frightening as brick walls gave the effect of the prison
being cold and dark and therefore evil. It was perfect for a thriller film.