While Hannibal Lecter has been portrayed brilliantly by actors like Mads Mikkelsen and Brian Cox plus Gaspard Ulliels less memorable but easy on the eyes performance in Hannibal Rising, its Anthony Hopkins legendary performance as the erudite, chianti-drinking cannibal in The Silence of the Lambs (and again in Ridley Scotts Hannibal in 2001) that is undoubtedly the most iconic. But strangely enough, Hopkins is actually only in the film for a total of around 16 minutes which, after David Nivens 15 minute long performance in 1958s Separate Tables, is the second shortest performance to receive an Oscar for Best Actor. Regardless of his short screen time Hopkins chilling rendition of Hannibal, some of whose mannerisms he reportedly based on real life psychopath Charles Manson, stole the show.
