10 Things Hannibal Does Better Than The Movies

7. Hannibal Isn't Afraid To Play With The Source Material To Its Advantage

The films understandably stuck fairly closely to the novels from which they were adapted. Wheras the TV show has an artistic licence to take elements from the Thomas Harris's books and shape them into something that follows the general narrative of Hannibal's history while still keeping the series unpredictable and fresh. It also isn't afraid to shake things up - like supposedly killing Silence Of The Lamb's Doctor Chilton long before that novel's events have appeared in the show and changing Freddie Lound's gender. Freddie's aggressive nature is much more interesting as a woman. She might be easily dismissed, but there is a greater sense of vulnerability to her too. Like Clarice she is willing put herself in danger to solve the mystery and is far more likely to engage with characters like Abigail Hobbs compared to a similarly domineering male figure. We've already had a pre-deformed Mason Verger in season two, next year we're going to see Inspector Pazzi from the Novel Hannibal, Hannibal's aunt Lady Murasaki from Hannibal Rising and Francis Dollarhyde of Red Dragon. It is an exciting time for the show as it moves beyond the Red-Dragon prequel setting into the novels themselves. Book purists might not like it, but the show has already proven itself in its ability to take Hannibal and Will in an innovating new direction. Going for the jugular of Red Dragon will be the point when it really shines over the films. Of course ratings are always an issue for this show. But if we get to season four, Bryan Fuller gets to try his hand at Silence Of The Lambs and that is an exciting prospect indeed.