Hannibal - film - Hannibal is a 2001 film directed by Ridley Scott, adapted from the Thomas Harris novel of the same name. Set ten years after The Silence of the Lambs, the premise is that one of Hannibal Lecter's surviving victims, the extremely wealthy Mason Verger, is out to capture, torture, and kill him. The film's locations alternate between Italy and the United States. One of the final scenes shocked audiences and critics alike.[1] According to Steffen Hantke, author of 'Horror Film: Creating and Marketing Fear', Hannibal the film was an 'eagerly anticipated auteur and star-driven event movie, with emphasis on a distinctive visual appearance and deliberate flamboyant performances.'[2] The anticipated sequel to 1991's five-Oscar-winning The Silence of the Lambs introduced Hannibal Lecter to mainstream moviegoing audiences.[3] The character of Hannibal Lecter became a 'household name'[4], and part of popular culture.[5] The 'bumpy' development of Hannibal drew a large amount of attention, with both Silence of the Lambs director, Jonathan Demme and actress Jodie Foster eventually declining involvement.[6] Upon release, Hannibal broke box-office records in the United States, Australia, Canada and the UK in February 2001.[7]