The 1991 horror-thriller film The Silence of the Lambs directed by Jonathan Demme is widely considered a classic American film that explores the psychological and legal aspects to the process that result in the successful capture of serial killers. However, many of those who have seen this film are not aware of the entities that helped create it, namely the Pentagon. But why would the U.S. government want to be embroiled in the affairs of the creation of a Hollywood movie? In order to understand this it is important to understand what aspects of the film warrant, or possibly don’t warrant government intervention.

First, because Demme chooses to frame a serial killer film from the perspective of an FBI trainee there are several important factors that prompted the assistance of the Pentagon. The first being that the government has to make sure that there is no misrepresentation of the offices that represent it, in this case the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The government understands that a false or altered interpretation of their services could possibly discredit them in the public eye, and thus it is important to not only monitor what is said about it, but to have a hand in offering facilities, training, and even money to ensure that they are framed exactly the way they want to be to the public. By doing so the government is not only able to create a somewhat-accurate narrative for a film, it is also responsible for creating popular propaganda for itself within the realm of film.

Another possible reason for why this film was made in conjunction with the Pentagon is for displaying the power that the government holds. Early films designed in this matter were mostly focused around war, mainly to demonstrate the power of the United States Army. This film is a step in a different direction, aiming toward the U.S. home front in an effort to both captivate viewers by the tenacity and effectiveness of law enforcement, and to instill fear in those who would venture to break the law as brazenly as the serial killer the protagonist is trying to apprehend. By showcasing a form of crime that was on the rise in the United States in particular, the government is trying to demonstrate that not only are they prepared to deal with such a threat, but they are prepared to go to any lengths to make sure that they are successful.

In conclusion, The Silence of the Lambs has never really truly been viewed from the perspective of understanding the influences that shaped the portrayal of the FBI throughout it. The government has always done its best within film to portray itself positively, and for this reason there is no need for it to create more blatant propaganda or to try to cast its influence further.



“The Silence of the Lambs.” IMDb. February 14, 1991. Accessed December 03, 2018.

The Silence of the Lambs. Directed by Jonathan Demme. Performed by Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Lawrence A. Bonney. Santa Monica, CA: MGM Home Movie, 1991. DVD.

The Silence of the Lambs
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