The Silence of the Lambs Book/Movie Comparison.

             Both the novel and the movie The Silence of the Lambs follow the same basic plot, and start and end the same way. The theme of both works is the same, and the novel contains all characters that were in the movie. There are, however, many, many differences in the plot and character development.

             The movie, while excellent as far as movies go, excludes many crucial scenes, details, and characters. Because of this, the novel is far superior to the movie. For example, throughout the novel, Clarice operates under the fear that she may be "recycled", or held back at Quantico Academy for missing classes while on her assignment with Jack Crawford. This fear impacts many of Clarice"s decisions throughout the book. However, the entire notion of being recycled is absent from the movie.

             In the novel, Dr. Lecter has six fingers on his left hand. It is this polydactyly that, in a crucial scene, sways his guard"s attention from his other hand, in which he holds a makeshift key to his handcuffs. This allows him to escape from his cage. In the movie, however, Dr. Lecter has no sixth finger.

             The lack of scenes involving Jame Gumb also greatly detracts from the movie"s appeal. In the novel, the reader is allowed an in-depth look inside the life of a sociopath. Thomas Harris writes these scenes in such vivid detail that the reader knows exactly what Jame Gumb is thinking and what his motives are for committing his bizarre acts. It is truly disturbing to recount these scenes, but they add to the book"s intense realism. In the movie, however, the viewer is treated to only a few, short scenes of Jame Gumb, in which we learn nothing of his motives or train of thought.

             Many characters, which are featured prominently in the book, are barely mentioned, and sometimes left completely out of the movie. Ardelia, Clarice"s roommate, is a constant source of support for Clarice.