"The story is very much about how this guy who has left this kind of work, gets pulled step by step into exactly the kind of full-on level of exposure to danger that he's told himself he doesn't want to get involved in anymore. What's intriguing to me is how Hannibal Lecter is simultaneously insane, filled with rage and desire to do harm to my character [Will Graham] and yet is also the one who's offering him counsel on how to get over the wounds that he, Lecter, gave him. It's very complicated. When Lecter is saying to Graham that he can help him have a better understanding of what happened to him and how he can get past this, even though he's the one who did it to him, it's very strange."

"In "Red Dragon", Lecter is so much angrier. He's enraged. And he's furious with Ed Norton's character about being locked away, and would destroy him if he could. So it's that anger I wanted to be there. No charm. Just lethal. And Brett helped me get there with that."

"[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."

"[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."

"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."

"[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."

"[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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

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

"Anthony Heald — Dr. Frederick Chilton"

"Philip Seymour Hoffman — Freddy Lounds"

"Mary-Louise Parker — Molly Graham"

"Remarkable boy. I do admire your courage. I think I'll eat your heart."

"Emily Watson — Reba McClane"

"Harvey Keitel — Jack Crawford"

"Ralph Fiennes — Francis Dolarhyde"

"Edward Norton — Will Graham"

"Anthony Hopkins — Dr. Hannibal Lecter"

"Before the Silence, there was the Dragon"

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

"How It All Began!"

"Danny Huston — Danny O'Brien"

"Daryl Hannah — Maddy Pilager"

"Maria Bello — Nora Allardyce"

"Richard Dreyfuss — Chuck Raven"

"Chris Cooper — Dickey Pilager"

"Campaigning in theatres."

"Vote Pilager '04."

"Vote early. Vote often."

"As you know, I am Cyrus West. Now, first of all, let me tell you that you're all a bunch of bastards."

"If I were crazy, I'd be a much better designer."

"Samm-Art Williams - Meurice"

"M. Emmet Walsh - Loren Visser (private detective)"

"Dan Hedaya - Julian Marty"

"Frances McDormand - Abby"

"John Getz - Ray"

"Dead in the heart of Texas."

"Breaking up is hard."

"Ray: [to Abby] You left your weapon behind."

"Strip joint DJ: And remember, gentlemen, we're always here, two to two, A.M. to P.M., three hundred and sixty-four days and Christmas, God willing and the creek don't rise."

"Teenager: [to Marty] Hey mister, how'd you break your pussyfinger?"

"[to Abby] Something pretty fucking weird is going on. Put your coat on and I'll drop you at home. But don't talk to either of 'em until I do. And don't worry. Believe me. These things always have a logical explanation. Usually."

"Even the fucking dog's gone crazy."

"[to Ray] Look. Personally I don't give a shit. I know Marty's a hard-on but you gotta do something. I don't know; give the money back, say you're sorry, or get the fuck out of here, or something...It's very humiliating, preaching about this shit...I'm not laughing at this, Ray Bob, so you know it's no fucking joke."

"Let's do it outside, in nature."

"Lover-boy oughta lock his door. Lotta nuts out there."