Red Dragon (2002) - Quotes

The Dragon Before the Silence

Taglines: Before the Silence, there was the Dragon

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Entering the Mind of a Killer

Taglines: FBI Agent Will Graham Is About to Enter the Mind of a Killer. He Must First Let Hannibal Lecter Inside His Head.

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Origins of a Dark Journey

Taglines: How It All Began!

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First Encounter with Hannibal Lecter

Taglines: Meet Hannibal Lecter For The First Time

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A Prelude to Silence

Taglines: Before the Silence

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A Visitor for Hannibal Lecter

Dr. Frederick Chilton: Hannibal, there's someone to see you. A young woman... says she's from the FBI, but she seems much too pretty for that if you ask me. I'll tell her you said no.

Hannibal Lecter: ...what is her name?

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Confrontation of Fear and Desperation

Francis Dolarhyde: Drop it. Do it now, gumshoe. Your son is about to change. Then your wife. You can watch, then I'll take care of you.

Will Graham: [imitating Dolorhyde's grandmother] Look at you. I have never seen a child as disgusting as you! You pissed your pants? How dare you! You want me to cut it off? Is that what you want me to do? Apologize! Don't cry at me, you little faggot! Say it! Say it, or I will cut it off! Say, "I'm sorry, daddy, I'm a dirty little beast. Freak. Harelip. And no one will ever love me!

Will Graham: Run!

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Frustration Over Delays and Cravings

Will Graham: What is taking him so long?

Molly Graham: Are you kidding? It takes him 20 minutes to get out of bed in the morning!

Will Graham: Yeah, but now I have a serious marshmallow jones.

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A Conversation on Humanity and Attraction

Will Graham: [to Reba] That's all for now, but I'd like to come back before I leave town to see how you're doing.

Reba McClane: [choking up] Sure. Who could resist a charmer like me?

Will Graham: Whatever was left in him that was still human was only kept alive because of you. You probably saved some lives. You didn't attract a freak... You attracted a man with a freak on his back.

Reba McClane: [crying] I should have known!

Will Graham: [smiles] Sometimes you can't. Trust me, I've been there myself. There was a lot wrong with Dolarhyde, but there's nothing wrong with you. Except your hair. Your hair is a train wreck.

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Perception and the Consequences of Inaction

Hannibal Lecter: You sensed who I was back when I was committing what you call "my crimes".

Will Graham: Yes.

Hannibal Lecter: So you were hurt, not by a fault in your perception or your instincts, but because you failed to act on them until it was too late.

Will Graham: You could say that.

Hannibal Lecter: But you're wiser now.

Will Graham: Yes.

Hannibal Lecter: Imagine what you would do, Will, if you could go back in time.

Will Graham: Put two in your head before you could palm that stiletto.

Hannibal Lecter: [smiles] Very good, Will. You know, I believe we're making progress.

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Unexpected Discoveries and Consequences in the Archive

Hannibal Lecter: Beneath the yellow folder, you'll find your latest rejection slip from the archives. It was brought to me by mistake with some of my archives mail. I'm afraid I opened it without looking. Sorry.

Dr. Frederick Chilton: I think we'll remove Dr. Lecter's toilet seat as well

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The Complexity of Pity and Authenticity

Reba McClane: If there's anything I hate worse than pity, it's fake pity. Especially from a walking hard-on like Ralph Mandy.

Francis Dolarhyde: I have no pity.

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The Influence of Environment on Criminal Behavior

Hannibal Lecter: What were the yards like?

Will Graham: Big back yards, why?

Hannibal Lecter: Because if our pilgrim feels he has a special relationship with the moon, he might want to go out and look at it. Have you ever seen blood in the moonlight, Will? It appears quite black. If one were nude, say, one would want outdoor privacy for that sort of thing.

Will Graham: You think that would be a factor when he chooses a victim?

Hannibal Lecter: Oh, yes. And there will be more of them, of course... victims. So, you'll be wanting lots of these little chin-wags, I take it?

Will Graham: I might not have time.

Hannibal Lecter: Oh, but I do. I have oodles.

Will Graham: I need your opinion now.

Hannibal Lecter: Then here's one... you stink of fear under that cheap lotion. You stink of fear, Will, but you're not a coward. You fear me, but still you came here. You fear this shy boy, yet still you seek him out. Don't you understand, Will? You caught me because we're very much alike. Without our imaginations, we'd be like all those other poor... dullards. Fear... is the price of our instrument. But I can help you bear it.

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A Request for Assistance in Investigation

Will Graham: I need your help, Dr. Lecter.

Hannibal Lecter: Birmingham and Atlanta. You want to know how he's choosing them, don't you?

Will Graham: Yes.

Hannibal Lecter: Why should I?

Will Graham: There are things you don’t have - books, library privileges, maybe even computer access. I'll speak to the Chief of Staff.

Hannibal Lecter: Ah, yes, Dr. Chilton. Gruesome, isn't he? Fumbles at your head like a freshman at a panty girdle. If you’ll recall, Will, our last collaboration ended rather messily.

Will Graham: And there’s another reason.

Hannibal Lecter: I’m all ears.

Will Graham: I thought you might enjoy the challenge. Find out if you're smarter than the person I'm looking for.

Hannibal Lecter: Then by implication, you think you are smarter than I am, since it was you who caught me.

Will Graham: No, I know I'm not smarter than you.

Hannibal Lecter: Then, how did you catch me?

Will Graham: It's all in the transcripts. What does it matter now?

Hannibal Lecter: It doesn't matter to me, Will.

Will Graham: You had... disadvantages.

Hannibal Lecter: What disadvantages?

Will Graham: ... You're insane.

Hannibal Lecter: [pause; menacing] You’re very tan, Will. And your hands are so rough, not like a cop’s hands, anymore. That lotion is something a child would select. It has a ship on the bottle, does it not? And how is young Josh, and the lovely Molly? They’re always in my thoughts, you know.

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Christmas Cards and Unwanted Gifts

Hannibal Lecter: That's the same atrocious aftershave you wore in court.

Will Graham: I keep getting it for Christmas.

Hannibal Lecter: Christmas, yes. Did you get my card?

Will Graham: [uncomfortable] I got it. Thank you.

Hannibal Lecter: So nice of the bureau to forward it for me. You know, they wouldn't give me your home address.

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Analyzing Lecter's Murders and Fantasies

Dr. Frederick Chilton: Tell me, when you saw Lecter's murders, their style, so to speak, were you able perhaps to reconstruct his fantasies? And, if so, did you jot down any impressions?

Will Graham: No.

Dr. Frederick Chilton: Let me be frank, Mr. Graham. The first definitive analysis of Lecter will be a publisher's wet dream. I'd give you full credit, of course

Dr. Frederick Chilton: Dammit, man, you must have some advice. You caught him. What was your trick?

Will Graham: I let him kill me.

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The Allure of Power and Control

Will Graham: [speaking of the serial killer he's investigating] He's not going to stop.

Detective: Why not?

Will Graham: Because it makes him God. Would you give that up?

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Understanding the Mind of a Killer

Will Graham: See, that's where we're off target. He's not collecting body parts.

Hannibal Lecter: [studies Graham for a moment] Have you shared this with the Bureau?

Will Graham: No, I didn't. I needed to see you first, but I'm right. I know I'm right. I'm... I'm starting to be able to think like this one.

Hannibal Lecter: That's fascinating. You know, I'd always suspected as much: You are an eideteker.

Will Graham: I'm not psychic.

Hannibal Lecter: No, no, no, this is different; more akin to artistic imagination. You're able to assume the emotional point-of-view of other people, even those that might scare or sicken you. It's a troubling gift, I should think. How I'd love to get you on my couch.

Will Graham: Something still doesn't make sense to me: you're the best forensic psychiatrist I know. And somehow, in all our time together, this possibility never occurred to you.

Hannibal Lecter: Well, I am only human, Will. Perhaps I made a mistake.

Will Graham: You don't strike me as a man who makes very many mistakes.

Hannibal Lecter: Now I'm starting to think that I might no longer enjoy your full confidence.

Will Graham: [thinks for a minute, and then shakes his head in frustration] No, no, I--I didn't say that. I didn't. I don't, I don't know what I'm saying, I... I'm very, very tired. I... I almost had it.

Hannibal Lecter: [smiles] It'll come to you.

A Tempting Dish with a Dark Secret

Dinner Guest: Hannibal, confess. What is this divine-looking amuse-bouche?

Hannibal Lecter: [smiles deviously] I'm afraid if I tell you, you won't even try it.

Dolarhyde's Intriguing Perspective on Graham

Francis Dolarhyde: [Continuing Dolarhyde's "fan letter"] Investigator Graham interests me. Not your standard gumshoe, is he? More alert. Purposeful-looking. You should've taught him not to meddle. Forgive the stationary. I chose it because it will dissolve very quickly if you should have to swallow it. If I hear from you, next time, I might send you something wet. Until then, dear doctor, I remain your most avid fan.

A Connection Through Transformation and Misunderstanding

Francis Dolarhyde: [Dolarhyde's "fan letter" to Dr. Lecter] : My dear Dr. Lecter: I wanted to tell you I'm delighted that you've taken an interest in me. And when I learned of your vast correspondence, I thought: "Dare I?" Of course I do. I don't believe you'll tell them who I am. Besides, what particular body I currently occupy is trivial. The important thing is what I am becoming. I know that you alone can understand this transformation. I have some things I'd love to show you. If circumstances permit, I hope we can correspond. I have admired you for years and have a complete collection of your press notices. Actually, I think of them as unfair reviews. As unfair as mine. They do like to sling demeaning nicknames, don't they? "The Tooth Fairy." What could be more inappropriate? It would shame me for you to read that, if I didn't know you had suffered the same distortions in the press.

The Dragon Demands Awe Over Fear

Francis Dolarhyde: I am the Dragon, and you call me insane. You are privy to a great becoming, but you recognize nothing. You are an ant in the afterbirth. It is your nature to do one thing correctly: before me, you rightly tremble. But fear is not what you owe me, Mr. Lounds. You owe me awe.

The Tragic Transformation of a Monster

Will Graham: [Of Dolarhyde] When I read his journal, it was just so sad. I couldn't help feeling sorry for him. He wasn't born a monster; he was made one through years of abuse.

Reflections on Scars and the Past

Dr. Hannibal Lecter: [in the final letter to Will] My dear Will, you must be healed by now... on the outside, at least. I hope you're not too ugly. What a collection of scars you have. Never forget who gave you the best of them, and be grateful; our scars have the power to remind us that the past was real. We live in a primitive time, don't we, Will? Neither savage nor wise. Half measures are the curse of it; any rational society would either kill me or put me to some use. Do you dream much, Will? I think of you often. Your old friend, Hannibal Lecter.

The Nature of Enjoyment in Violence

Dr. Hannibal Lecter: Tell me, Will. Did you enjoy it? Your first murder? Of course you did. And why shouldn't it feel good? It does to God. Why, only last week in Texas, He dropped a whole church roof on the heads of 34 of His worshippers, just as they were groveling through a hymn. He wouldn't begrudge you one journalist.

Reflections on Accommodations and Foolishness

Dr. Hannibal Lecter: Do you like my little exercise cage, Will? My so-called lawyer is always nagging Dr. Chilton for better accommodations. I don't know which is the greater fool.

Blood in the Moonlight

Dr. Hannibal Lecter: Have you ever seen blood in the moonlight, Will? It appears quite black. If one were nude, say, one would want to have outdoor privacy for that sort of thing.

The Value of Imagination and Fear

Dr. Hannibal Lecter: Without our imaginations, we'd be like all those other poor dullards. Fear is the price of our instrument. But I can help you bear it.

Dr. Lecter's Commentary on Dr. Chilton

Dr. Hannibal Lecter: Ah yes, Dr. Chilton. Gruesome, isn't he? Fumbles at your head like a freshman pulling at a panty girdle.

Admiration and Threat in Dark Context

Dr. Hannibal Lecter: Remarkable boy. I do admire your courage. I think I'll eat your heart.

Embracing Life's Uncertainties with Humor

Dr. Hannibal Lecter: [[Epicurus] 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 ] herd.