Production note The film won five major Oscars: picture, director, actor, actress, and screenplay.
Production note Anthony Hopkins has under 25 minutes of screen time.
Production note Gene Hackman was originally attached to the rights package and was expected to direct or be involved.
Production note Sean Connery reportedly refused the Lecter role.
Production note Ted Levine improvised or insisted on the tuck dance and researched trans bars for the role.
Production note William Goldman suggested removing a 12-minute Crawford/Clarice sequence after a screening.
Production note The character of Jame Gumb is discussed as an amalgam of multiple real-life killers.
Production note Jodie Foster supposedly reacted genuinely when Hopkins mocked her Southern accent on set.
Manhunter Referenced as the earlier adaptation whose box office disappointment led to the book rights arrangement.
The Silence of the Lambs source novel Discussed as a major bestseller beach read along the lines of Presumed Innocent and The Firm.
The Accused Used to frame Jodie Foster’s rise and her Oscar momentum before this film.
Thelma and Louise Used in Oscar comparisons for Susan Sarandon and Ridley Scott.
JFK Mentioned as an Oscar-era competitor for directing and acting categories.
Bugsy Referenced as a heavily promoted, Oscar-weighted contender in the same year.
Thelma and Louise / Ridley Scott Used in the director Oscar comparison.
Cape Fear Used to discuss Robert De Niro as a competing Oscar-performance type and thriller-villain role.
The Fisher King Referenced in the same award-race discussion for Bridges and Robin Williams.
Stop Making Sense Cited as Jonathan Demme’s other apex-level work.
Philadelphia Used to describe Demme’s next major one-two punch and to critique some dated content.
Basic Instinct Mentioned as part of the early-90s thriller boom.
The Silence of the Lambs sequel Hannibal Discussed as the franchise entry that hurt the legacy a bit.
The Edge Used as the movie that finally let Hopkins feel separate from Lecter again.
Good Will Hunting Referenced in the William Goldman anecdote about cutting the second half of the script.
