8. The Silence of the Lambs - Directed by Jonathan Demme (1991, Won 5 Oscars)
Jonathan Demme's critically acclaimed psychological thriller was not the first cinematic portrayal of the famous literary character, Hannibal 'The Cannibal' Lecter. Michael Mann directed an adaptation of Thomas Harris' first novel, Red Dragon, in the 80s and changed the title to Manhunter, however, Demme's version of the series' second novel is far superior for a number of reasons. Firstly, its content is much edgier and properly handled in the hands of Demme, where Mann's version was sprawling at points. Also, where Manhunter starred a pre-CSI William Petersen and Brian Cox as Lecter, Lambs stars Jodie Foster as the young and tortured FBI agent Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins, in his finest performance to date, as Lecter. Foster holds the film with a firm presence while Demme's grim direction lays a cloth of dread and filth across the entire motion picture. Tightly scripted by Ted Tally, the film is intelligently subversive and chillingly tense, excellently balancing terror, drama, mystery, and violence throughout. With under 20 minutes of total screentime, Hopkins is the film's biggest treat, completely embodying Lecter so confidently that it will forever be a performance that leaves all viewers unsettled. He even went on to play Lecter in two more films, Lambs' sequel, Hannibal and Hollywood's second attempt at adapting Red Dragon. Yet nothing will ever compare to Lambs, one of the few films to win all five major Academy Awards (Best Picture, Actor, Actress, Director, and Screenplay).
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