Most scenes together: Dr. Hannibal Lecter & Clarice Starling (15), Clarice Starling & Dr. Frederick Chilton (6), Clarice Starling & Jack Crawford (3)
Murray He's alive. Sergeant Tate, he's alive!
Sgt. Tate Get a hold of him more and feel his hand, son, talk to him.
Murray What do I say?
Sgt. Tate It's Jim Pembry, now, talk to him, damn it!
Murray Is it true what they're saying, he's some kinda vampire?
They don't have a name for what he is.
Buffalo Bill's real name?
That is now a matter of record with the proper authorities. My name is Dr. Frederick Chilton. C-H-I-L-T-O-N ...
Roden Sphingid ceratonia, maybe. [cuts open cocoon] Agent Starling, meet Mr. Acherontia styx.
Pilcher Weird.
Roden Better known to his friends as the Death's-head moth.
Senator Martin Dr. Lecter, I brought an affidavit guaranteeing your new rights. You want to read it before I sign?
I won't waste your time or Catherine's time bargaining for petty privileges. Clarice Starling and that awful Jack Crawford have wasted far too much time already. I only pray they haven't doomed the poor girl. Let me help you now, and I will trust you when it is all over.
Senator Martin You have my word. Paul? [her aide is poised to take notes]
Buffalo Bill's real name is Louis Friend. I met him just once, he was referred to me in April or May 1980 by my patient Benjamin Raspail. They were lovers, you see. But Raspail had become very frightened. Apparently, Louis had murdered a transient and done things with her skin.
We need his address and a physical description.
Tell me, Senator, did you nurse Catherine yourself?
Senator Martin What?
Did you breastfeed her?
Krendler Now, wait a minute …
Senator Martin Yes, I did.
Toughened your nipples, didn't it?
Krendler Oh, you son of a bitch!
Amputate a man's leg, and he can still feel it tickling. Tell me, ma'am, when your little girl is on the slab, where will it tickle you?
Senator Martin Take this thing back to Baltimore!
Five foot ten, strongly built, about 180 pounds; hair blonde, eyes pale blue. He'd be about 35 now. He said he lived in Philadelphia, but may have lied. That's all I can remember, ma'am, but if I think of any more, I will let you know. Oh, and Senator, just one more thing: love your suit.
Dr. Lecter?
Don't bother with a trace, I won't be on long enough.
Where are you?
I have no plans to call on you, Clarice. The world's much more interesting with you in it. So you take care now to extend me the same courtesy.
You know I can't make that promise.
I do wish we could chat longer, but ... [eyeing Dr. Chilton] I'm having an old friend for dinner. Bye.
Dr. Lecter? ... Dr. Lecter? ... Dr. Lecter? ... Dr. Lecter? ...
A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti. [hisses]
Note: ranked #21 in the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 movie quotations in American cinema.
Advancement, of course. Listen carefully. Look deep within yourself, Clarice Starling. Go seek out Miss Mofet, an old patient of mine. M-O-F-E-T. Go now, I don't think Miggs could manage again quite so soon, even though he is crazy. [shouting] Go now!
All good things to those who wait.
And don't lie, Clarice, or I'll know.
Do not touch the glass. Do not approach the glass. You pass him nothing but soft paper – no pencils, no pens. No paper clips or staples in his paper. Use the sliding food carrier only, no exceptions. If he attempts to pass you anything, do not accept it. Do you understand?
Good evening, Clarice.
Hester Mofet. It's an anagram, isn't it, Doctor? Hester Mofet, "the rest of me". "Miss the rest of me," meaning that you rented that garage?
I'm having an old friend for dinner.
I've been in this room for eight years now, Clarice. I know they will never ever let me out while I'm alive. What I want is a view. I want a window where I can see a tree, or even water. I want to be in a federal institution, far away from Dr. Chilton.
