Purpose of Hannibal's mask
I recently watched Silence of the Lambs (1991) and was wondering what Hannibal's mask actually does and why he needs it. When I first saw it, I thought it stopped him talking as people have been warned about what to say to Lecter. However, I was clearly wrong. Still trying to figure it out, I concluded that it must be to prevent Hannibal biting the Senator's face off. But if surely his restraints are enough to prevent him getting close enough to do that.
This doesn't look like someone who has enough range of movement to do that, even without the mask. So why do they give him it? Is it just a precaution?
Best Answer
Hannibal can and would use his mouth to hurt you if it suited him.
Hannibal, like most people, has the opportunity to use any part of his body to come into contact with another person (a victim).
Unlike most people, Hannibal:
- Has the medical training to know exactly how to produce whatever damage he wants to inflict in multiple different ways.
- Has the motivation to inflict this damage if he views you as someone that should be punished for his own slight reasons.
- Has the desire to do this damage due to his cannibalistic proclivity.
- Has the extraordinary intelligence to dupe you into making yourself vulnerable -- even when you think you are on your guard.
All this indicates that every avenue he has to inflict his will has to be defeated. That includes his hands, his feet, AND his mouth. Personally, I would include his forehead and use a head restraint to attach his head to the backboard (in addition to the chest, hip, and leg restraints).
Pictures about "Purpose of Hannibal's mask"
Why does Hannibal wear a mask?
The mask is a way to stop Hannibal from biting other people. They tried a few masks to see which one stroke a more menacing look. Other characters in other movies use similar masks for similar purposes, like Steve Buscemi's character in Con Air.Why does Hannibal have a muzzle?
This is the clinical bite restraint muzzle that was used to contain Dr. Hannibal Lecter. A three strap system on this mask ensures a secure fit. Stainless steel bars cover the mouth to prevent even the smallest opportunity for Lecter to take a bite.Did Hannibal Lecter wear a mask?
Hannibal Lecter technically wears two masks in the greatest Thomas Harris adaptation, The Silence of the Lambs. The first is his terrifying muzzle, a Jason Vorhees-esque mask with bars blocking his mouth. The second is not nearly as stylish \u2014 it's an actual human face.Who designed Hannibal Lecter mask?
\u201c[Costume designer] Colleen Atwood had a whole host of ideas, and we just kept going through them, one after the other,\u201d Zea said.The Psychology of Hannibal Lecter
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Answer 2
The mask is a way to stop Hannibal from biting other people. They tried a few masks to see which one stroke a more menacing look.
Other characters in other movies use similar masks for similar purposes, like Steve Buscemi's character in Con Air.
Real life anti-biting masks look a little less S&M, although Hannibal's could easily pass for an older model.
Answer 3
Clarisse was shown a surveillance video of Hannibal attacking a nurse using only his teeth. Jack Crawford (her boss) explains that after the attack, doctors were somewhat able to reset the woman's jaw, and reconstruct what was left of her face. (I'm having trouble finding the scene, so I don't have the exact dialogue.)
This establishes that Hannibal can savagely destroy a person just by biting them, so his mouth needs to be covered to prevent that.
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