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A retired FBI agent with psychological gifts is assigned to help track down "The Tooth Fairy", a mysterious serial killer. Aiding him is imprisoned forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter.

Director:

Brett Ratner

Writers:

Thomas Harris (novel), Ted Tally (screenplay)
Reviews
Popularity
835 ( 38)
4 wins & 10 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Hopkins ... Dr. Hannibal Lecter
Edward Norton ... Will Graham
Ralph Fiennes ... Francis Dolarhyde
Harvey Keitel ... Jack Crawford
Emily Watson ... Reba McClane
Mary-Louise Parker ... Molly Graham
Philip Seymour Hoffman ... Freddy Lounds
Anthony Heald ... Dr. Frederick Chilton
Ken Leung ... Lloyd Bowman
Frankie Faison ... Barney Matthews
Tyler Patrick Jones ... Josh Graham
Lalo Schifrin ... Conductor
Tim Wheater Tim Wheater ... Flautist
John Rubinstein ... Dinner Guest
David Doty David Doty ... Dinner Guest
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Storyline

After escaping death by the skin of his teeth while on the hunt for the elusive madman, Dr Hannibal Lecter, the now-retired and emotionally scarred FBI agent, Will Graham, finds himself back in action. Reluctantly, as yet another monstrous serial killer known as "The Tooth Fairy" terrorises Baltimore, Graham turns to Lecter, the evil mastermind who's been under lock and key for three long years, to lend a hand in this challenging and time-sensitive case. But, to delve deep into the demented mind of a killer, one must first face his inner demons, and Will already knows that his insane imprisoned assistant is a gifted manipulator. Can Graham find the horrifying Red Dragon in time before another family suffers? Written by Nick Riganas

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Before the Silence, there was the Dragon See more »

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, grisly images, language, some nudity and sexuality | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Ethan Hawke, Matt Damon, and Jeremy Renner were considered for the role of Will Graham. See more »

Goofs

The audio tape delivered to the police is clearly a voice-over between two scenes, and the movie never states or implies that the tape got delivered attached to the wheelchair - it wouldn't have survived the fire. The tape is also, of course, edited by Dolarhyde. Why should he reveal his voice to the police if he can edit it out? See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Hannibal Lecter: Think to yourself that every day is your last. The hour to which you do not look forward will come as a welcome surprise. As for me, when you want a good laugh, you will find me in fine state, fat and sleek, a true hog of Epicurus's herd.
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Crazy Credits

Thanks to the men and women of the Federal Bureau of Investigation See more »

Connections

References Primal Fear (1996) See more »

Soundtracks

Scherzo
(1843) (uncredited)
from "A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61"
Written by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Conducted by Lalo Schifrin
Concert music played during the opening scenes
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User Reviews

 
Nothing on Silence of the Lambs and the novel it's based on, but a decent thriller in it's own right.
20 January 2008 | by The_VoidSee all my reviews

After the return of the infamous Hannibal Lecter to our screens in 2001 with Ridley Scott's film version of the best novel in Thomas Harris's Lecter trilogy, it's not surprising that a new version of the first novel in the series got an update a year later considering that it's previous screen version, Michael Mann's Manhunter, doesn't fit in with the other two films in the series. I do have to say that this version is both more true to Harris' novel and an overall better film than Manhunter; though it does have numerous shortfalls and has nothing on the masterpiece 'Silence of the Lambs'. The plot is quite similar to the one in Silence of the Lambs, and features a cop on the hunt of a serial killer and receiving help from the incarcerated Hannibal Lecter. FBI Agent Will Graham, the captor of Hannibal Lecter, is called out of retirement to help catch a serial killer dubbed "The Tooth Fairy" by the media. The killer has already slaughtered two families and the FBI believes that another one is soon to join them; meaning that Will Graham has no choice but to ask Hannibal Lecter for help with the case.

The casting is one of the things that many critics pick up on, and that's not surprising. Anthony Hopkins effortlessly slips back into the role that he will always be associated with; although he's far more comical here than in previous Lecter films. As anyone who has read the book will tell you, Edward Norton is completely wrong for the role of Will Graham as the role needed a grittier actor. Harvey Keitel is a great actor, but Scott Glenn from Silence of the Lambs fit the role of Jack Crawford much better. There's nothing wrong with the rest of the supporting cast, however, with Ralph Fiennes, Emily Watson and Philip Seymour Hoffman all fit into their respective roles well. There's not a great deal wrong with the plot pacing, although the film is a little slow at times and the book is much more exciting on the whole. Certain parts of the plot could have been cut out to streamline the film for the screen, although Ted Tally's screenplay is good in that it does encompass most of the important parts of the book. Obviously this film is always going to come under criticism for not being as great as Silence of the Lambs and it does have nothing on the book, but overall Red Dragon is a decent enough thriller in it's own right and I cant say I dislike it.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

Germany | USA

Language:

English | French

Release Date:

4 October 2002 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Red Dragon See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$78,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$36,540,945, 6 October 2002

Gross USA:

$93,149,898

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$209,196,298
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Color:

Color (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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