Aaran Thomas, Gaspard Ulliel, Helena Lia Tachovska

In the most chilling chapter in the life of Hannibal Lecter, find the answer to the most elusive question of all - why? Reaching back to explore the origins of Lecter's rage, terror and savagery, t...( read more  read more... )he story begins in Eastern Europe at the end of World War II when a young Hannibal watches the violent death of his parents - a horrific moment that changes him forever. Showing a cunning aptitude for science, he hones his skills to exact justice on those that hurt his family, igniting an insatiable lust within a serial killer who was not born, but made.

Flixster Users

61% liked it

527,848 ratings

Critics

15% liked it

136 critics

R, 1 hr. 57 min.

Directed by: Peter Webber

Release Date: February 9, 2007

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DVD Release Date: May 29, 2007

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Flixster Reviews (26,872)


  • November 10, 2009
    Hannibal Rising starts well and is beautifully filmed but unfortunately it becomes a little slow, a little boring and slightly contrived towards the middle. There is a huge unexplained leap between innocent Hannibal and warped and crazy Hannibal, thus, not really explaining, or s...( read more)hould I say convincing us as to why he becomes the monster seen in Silence of the Lambs etc. A wasted opportunity! Rhys Ifans is truly annoying too!
  • September 24, 2009
    Great Film. For adults with adult themes including the Russian Front which most un-educated people won't understand. I would recommend the film if you were around when the 'Silence of the Lambs' was released. This film is different, very very different, but it keeps up with moder...( read more)n films and follows the timeline of Hannibal Lecter well. Enjoyable any night of the week movie !
  • June 10, 2009
    It's time to learn what led Hannibal Lecter, once a gifted, bright young man, to a life of horrendous crime.

    Fans of the book series will already be familiar with the story of Hannibal's younger sister, Mischa (and her eventual fate at the hands of Nazi soldiers), from Thomas Ha...( read more)rris's 1999 novel "Hannibal".

    Now it is time to learn the full story of Lecters troubled childhood, a result of growing up through the horrors World War 2.

    I, for one loved Hannibal Rising, so much so that I returned to cinemas to watch the film for a second time merely a week after my first viewing. The film has also re-kindled my interest in Thomas Harris's wonderful series.

    Stunning cinematography, emotional performances beautiful direction and all together great story telling help to make this film one of the best I have seen in a long time.

    Gaspard Ulliel makes cannibalism hot and does a fantastic job at portraying a young Lecter. He is perfectly charming and polite on the outside, whilst on the inside his sadistic and vengeful nature continues to grow. Ulliel is highly engaging and convincing in his performance, doing the famous character justice.

    Gong Li must also be mentioned at this point for her performance as the graceful Lady Murasaki who acts as both mentor and love interest for the young Hannibal. Li and Ulliel have a good chemistry throughout most of the film and both actors appear to have a great understanding of their characters.

    I would highly recommend this movie to fans of the book series, however fans of the movie series might be disappointed if they are expecting to see another Silence of the Lambs or Red Dragon.
  • June 7, 2009
    Hannibal Rising or Flogging A Dead Horse
  • December 22, 2008
    Ooh! Hannibal Rising kind of hurt. You'd hope for something more than his little sister getting cannibalized by war criminals would create one of movie history's greatest characters but the Quick Buck and the substandard revenge plot win out again. Gaspard Ulliel wasn't the worst...( read more) part of Hannibal Rising and I think he did the best with what he had to work with--unfortunately that wasn't much. The sexy Japanese aunt (with uncharacteristically large boobs--sorry, had to throw that out there) incestuous storyline was kind of out there but ultimately I was just looking for more of a connection between the prequel and the previously existing Hannibal canon. On the plus side, Hannibal Rising wasn't all bad but hopefully they'll stop making weak sequels and spinoffs.
  • November 17, 2009
    Muy chida. La pasaron en TV y no la vi completa.. me quede con ganas de comprarla. La japonesita esta muy sexy.. jaja
  • November 15, 2009
    totally sucked compared to the first movie which was very good
  • November 15, 2009
    i didn't see the first of theses movies so did not know much about Hannibal. Also i slept through half of it.... but, it came across as a good movie with plenty of horror and gore.
  • November 11, 2009
    great story about sweet revenge!
  • November 3, 2009
    Not the best but Gaspard's performance was very good and disturbing.

Critic Reviews


March 2, 2007
Pete Hammond, Maxim

The most terrifying movie of the new year. full review

February 12, 2007
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

Hannibal Rising is basically a Steven Seagal vigilante movie with a hero who eats the people he kills. At least it's ecofriendly. full review

February 9, 2007
Kyle Smith, New York Post

There is no action-movie cliché too rusty to be wheeled forth. full review

February 9, 2007
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

As played by French actor Gaspard Ulliel, Hannibal is a playing-card joker: Ulliel performs every scene with the same dimpled smirk, which looks less like an expression than a plastic-surgery mistake. full review

February 9, 2007
Kurt Loder, MTV

If this picture were a little more ludicrous, just a shade more inane, it might be fun to watch. Unhappily, that is not the case. full review

February 8, 2007
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

By spelling out the traumas that turned a kind Lithuanian princeling into an epicurean serial killer, the movie reduces a figure of mythic evil to a jumbo case of post-traumatic stress disorder. full review

February 8, 2007
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

What Hannibal Rising is, mostly, is a hoot. Gong Li cautions the nightmare-plagued Hannibal that 'Memory is a knife -- it can hurt you.' And let's not forget the classic, 'They ate my sister.' full review

View more Hannibal Rising reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • sannewal
    July 17, 2008
    I love this movie. Gaspard is so pretty! He's just perfect as Hannibal.
  • thereverendtholomewplague
    May 24, 2008
    I recommend this movie.
    It was amazing.
  • EdwardX18
    April 15, 2008
    I love this movie. We go deeper into the past of a younger Hannibal Lecter and his evolution into the famous cannibal we all know since Silence of the Lambs. Gaspard Ulliel in his first English speaking film delivers a terrifying and wonderful portrayl of Hannibal during his youth as he seeks revenge on the war crminals who brutally murdered his sister and ate her.
  • spidyloverisme
    December 6, 2007
    i love this movie i thought gaspard did an awesome job i dont car what anyone says i think it is great
  • Aritosgold
    November 7, 2007
    This is good ;;
  • Onemoresexibassist
    August 27, 2007
    ive watched the movie and read teh book I reccomend you read teh book
  • distortedxlullabies
    July 31, 2007
    yes, he is a cannibal...
    but he is also very intelligent and perceptive.

  • kevboy606
    July 16, 2007
    Isn't Hannibal a cannibal? Can't see the movie, but was wondering.
  • Nessa13Rocker
    July 15, 2007
    I loved this movie. I thought it was great to see Harris' book on film. Gaspard was brilliant! I thought he did a tremendous job.
  • staceybaje
    July 10, 2007
    I love this Picture because it all a love a brother has for little sis. I think that it doesn't matter who u are or what your situation is,when it your blood/family all logic is gone.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Hannibal Rising Trivia


  • WHAT YEAR DID THE MOVIE HANNIBAL RISING START IN?  Answer »
  • From which movie is this quote? "Hannibal, a memory is like a knife: it can hurt you!"  Answer »
  • Is the movie HANNIBAL RISING the first screenplay that Thomas Harris wrote?  Answer »
  • Who directed Hannibal Rising?  Answer »

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