Hannibal Lecktor quotes from Manhunter (1986)

Hannibal Lecktor

Have you ever seen blood in the moonlight, Will? It appears quite black.

Hannibal Lecktor

If one does what God does enough times, one will become as God is.

Hannibal Lecktor

That's the same atrocious aftershave you wore in court three years ago.

Will Graham

I need your help, Dr. Lecktor.

Hannibal Lecktor

Why should I?

Will Graham

There are things you don't have — library privileges, computer access. I'd speak to the chief of staff. And there's another reason.

Hannibal Lecktor

Pray tell.

Will Graham

I thought you might enjoy the challenge — find out if you're smarter than the person I'm looking for.

Hannibal Lecktor

Then, by implication, you think you're smarter than I am, since you caught me.

Will Graham

I know that I'm not smarter than you.

Hannibal Lecktor

Then how did you catch me?

Will Graham

You had disadvantages.

Hannibal Lecktor

What disadvantages?

Will Graham

You're insane.

Hannibal Lecktor

Hello, Will. I want to congratulate you on the job you did on Mr. Lounds. I admire that enormously — oh, what a cunning boy you are!

Will Graham

I'm sick of you crazy sons of bitches, Lecktor. You got something to say, say it.

Hannibal Lecktor

I want to help you. You would be more comfortable if you would relax with yourself. We don't invent our natures; they're issued to us, along with our lungs and pancreas and everything else. Why fight it?

Will Graham

Fight what?

Hannibal Lecktor

Did you really feel so depressed after you shot Mr. Garret Jacob Hobbs to death? I didn't know you then, but I think you probably did. But it wasn't the act that got you so down. Didn't you feel so bad because killing him felt so good? And why shouldn't it feel good? It must feel good to God. He does it all the time. God's terrific. He dropped a roof on 34 of His worshipers last Wednesday night as they were groveling through a hymn to His majesty. Don't you think that felt good?

Will Graham

Why does it feel good, Dr. Lecktor?

Hannibal Lecktor

It feels good, Will, because God has power. If one does what God does enough times, one will become as God is.

Hannibal Lecktor

This is a very shy boy, Will. What were their yards like?

Will Graham

Big back yards. Fences, hedges. Why?

Hannibal Lecktor

Because, my dear Will, if this pilgrim imagines he has a relationship with the moon, he might go outside to look at it. Have you ever seen blood in the moonlight, Will? It appears quite black. If one were nude, it would be better to have privacy for this sort of thing.

Will Graham

That's interesting.

Hannibal Lecktor

No, it's not. You thought of it before.

Will Graham

I considered it.

Hannibal Lecktor

You came here to look at me, to get the old scent back again, didn't you?

Will Graham

I want your opinion.

Hannibal Lecktor

I don't have one right now.

Will Graham

Well, when you have one, I'd like to hear it.

Hannibal Lecktor

Can I keep this?

Will Graham

I haven't decided yet.

Hannibal Lecktor

I'll study them. When you get more files, I'd like to see them, too. You can call me. When I have to call my lawyer, they bring me a telephone. Would you like to leave me your home phone number?

Will Graham

No.

Hannibal Lecktor

Do you know how you caught me, Will?

Will Graham

Goodbye, Dr. Lecktor. You can leave messages for me--

Hannibal Lecktor

Do you know how you caught me?

Hannibal Lecktor

The reason you caught me, Will, is we're just alike. [Will keeps knocking. A prison guard opens the door] Do you understand? [Will leaves] Smell yourself.

Hannibal Lecktor

You want to know how he's choosing them, don't you?

Will Graham

I thought you might have some ideas.

Hannibal Lecktor

Why should I tell you?

Will Graham

You'd get to see the file on this case. And there's another reason.

Hannibal Lecktor

Pray tell.

Will Graham

I thought you might be curious to see if you're smarter than the person I'm looking for.

Hannibal Lecktor

Then, by implication, you think you're smarter than me, since you caught me.

Will Graham

No. I know that I'm not smarter than you.

Hannibal Lecktor

Then how did you catch me?

Will Graham

You had disadvantages.

Hannibal Lecktor

What disadvantages?

Will Graham

You're insane.