Quotes

Dialogue

Mason Verger: You know, I thank God for what happened. It was my salvation. Have you accepted Jesus, Agent Starling? Do you have faith? Clarice Starling: I was raised Lutheran. Mason Verger: That's not what I asked.

Dialogue

Mason Verger: The good doctor approached me with a piece of broken mirror and said, "Try this"... Hannibal Lecter: Try peeling off your face... Mason Verger: "...and feeding it to the dogs." [In the flashback, Verger cuts off parts of his face] Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time.

Dialogue

Agent Pearsall: Of course you're right, Starling... but it doesn't change anything. Clarice Starling: It changes everything. It changes me.

Dialogue

Paul Krendler: Jesus, Starling! What are you doing sitting there in the dark? Clarice Starling: Thinking about cannibalism.

Dialogue

Clarice Starling: Paul, what is it with you? I told you to go home to your wife, was that wrong? Paul Krendler: Don't flatter yourself, Starling. That was a long time ago. Why would I hold that against you? Besides, this town is full of cornpone country pussy.

Dialogue

Mason Verger: I might be able to get a cookie now. What do you think, Cordell? Cordell Doemling: I think it would kill you.

Dialogue

So—now, was it Mason Verger you sold me to? [Rinaldo Pazzi struggles in his binds; his mouth is taped-over] No, no, no; blink twice for yes and once for no—was it Mason Verger you sold me to?

Dialogue

[Rinaldo Pazzi blinks twice]

Dialogue

Yes, good, thank you. And are his men waiting for me outside?

Dialogue

[Pazzi struggles]

Dialogue

Was that a single blink? Oh, you're confused. Well, please don't be confused because I may have to fillet Signora Pazzi after all.

Dialogue

[Pazzi struggles again and opens his eyes, wide.]

Dialogue

Have you told anyone in the questura about me? [Pazzi blinks once] No, I thought not. Have you told Allegra? [Pazzi, again, blinks once] No? Are you sure? I believe you. Okey dokey, here we go. [Lecter opens the window and prepares to wheel Pazzi out onto the balcony on a box-trolley.] Okay... Your heart is really palpitating. [Lecter reaches into Pazzi's jacket and pulls out a vibrating mobile phone] Oh, it's not your heart. Well, should I answer it? [Lecter answers the phone; Clarice is on the other end.] Pronto.

Dialogue

I've gone above you. I've spoken to your section-chief. Someday you'll thank me, or you won't. I don't care, you'll be alive. Inspector Pazzi?

Dialogue

Is this Clarice? Well, hello Clarice. I'm afraid I have bad news for you.

Dialogue

Is he dead?

Dialogue

Did you get my note? I hope you liked the skin-cream, I had it specially made for you.

Dialogue

[Clarice cuts him off] Is he dead, Dr Lecter?!

Dialogue

Clarice, there's nothing in this world that I would love more than to be able to chat with you. Unfortunately, you've caught me at an awkward moment. Please forgive me. See you around... [Lecter hangs up the phone and turns to Pazzi] An old friend. [Lecter places the phone back into Pazzi's jacket] OK, hold on. Here we go... [He wheels Pazzi out onto the balcony, whistling rock-a-bye-baby] What's it to be? Bowels in or bowels out, like Judas? Oh, you're confused? Then I'll decide for you, if you permit me. [Lecter incises Pazzi's abdomen with his Spyderco Harpy and sends him over the railing]

Dialogue

Mason Verger: So what do you think, Cordell? Does Lecter want to fuck her or kill her or eat her alive? Cordell Doemling: Probably all three, though I wouldn't want to predict in what order.

Dialogue

Mason Verger: What do you think? Paul Krendler: I could have handled this. Mason Verger: Oh, coulda, woulda, shoulda. I mean what do you think about the money? Paul Krendler: Five. Mason Verger: Oh, let's just toss it off like 'five'! Let's say it with the respect it deserves. Paul Krendler: Five hundred thousand dollars. Mason Verger: Well, that's better, but not much. Will it work? Paul Krendler: It'll work. Won't be pretty. Mason Verger: What ever is? Mason Verger: Cocksucker! Mason Verger: I suppose now you wish that you had fed the rest of me to the dogs. Hannibal Lecter: No, Mason. I much prefer you the way you are.

Dialogue

Clarice Starling: I'll cut you loose. If you touch me, I'll shoot you. Hannibal Lecter: Understood. Clarice Starling: Do right, and you'll live through this. Hannibal Lecter: Spoken like a true Protestant.

Dialogue

Paul Krendler: What the fuck... Hannibal Lecter: [walks in from behind] Good, you brought the wine. Paul Krendler: Oh God-- [Lecter smothers him with a dish cloth]

Dialogue

Hannibal Lecter: Paul, would you like to say grace? Paul Krendler: [in drugged, lobotomized stupor] God bless every one of us, even white trash like Starling. Hannibal Lecter: I don't think the Apostle Paul could have put it any better. He hated women too.

Dialogue

Hannibal Lecter: I came half way around the world, to watch you run, Clarice. Let me run, eh? Hannibal Lecter: Tell me, Clarice, would you ever say to me "stop, if you loved me, you'd stop"? Clarice Starling: Not in a thousand years. Hannibal Lecter: Not in a thousand years... Hannibal Lecter: That's my girl. Hannibal Lecter: Now, that's really interesting. But I'm rather pressed for time. Where's the key? Hannibal Lecter: Okay... Hannibal Lecter: Above or below the wrist, Clarice? Hannibal Lecter: This is really going to hurt...