This is the story of Hannibal Lecter's (Gaspard Ulliel) early years, based on the Thomas Harris book of the same title. This prequel shows him (young Hannibal played by Aaron Thomas) in three different stages of his life; from wealthy childhood living in Castle Lecter with his parents the Count and Countess and his younger sister Mischa (Helena Lia Tachovska) in World War II-era Lithuania; the horrors on the Eastern Front of being abused by local rogue mercenaries, Nazis, Russians, the killing of his family, and cannibalism; and the years in Paris attending medical school.
Director Webber (Girl With a Pearl Earring) puts on a very stylish show of a period piece film in Europe. Both young and older Hannibal give a sympathetic emotional slant to this character rather than portraying the vicious and psychotic character audiences have seen in the original Dr. Lecter (Brian Cox of Manhunter) who was real in nature, but not as well acted as the Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) of The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal.
This film moves from the Eastern Front where he lost his family in brutal killings to Hannibal's teenage years where he lives in a work home for teenage refugees, which happens to be his family castle. In this home he is physically abused and decides to escape and make his way to Russia to his last surviving relative - his aunt, Lady Murasaki Shikibu (Gong Li), who is the widow of his blood-related uncle. They only have themselves, because both have lost loved ones in the war. The beautiful Gong Li gives a great sensitive portrayal as his aunt. But I found the other villians in this movie more exciting and even more sinister than Hannibal. These are the five rogue mercenaries (Rhys Ifans, Kevin McKidd, Richard Brake, Stephen Walters, and Ivan Marevich) who are savage outlaws. They have some very exciting and gruesome scenes.
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Article comments
1 - da Gong show!
I love Gong li - was she good in it? could u understand her english? i luv her so much and hope she is the best in the movie ever! She is so pretty and fabulous actress!
2 - hareshan
Hannibal Rising is the best moves ever. I luv this film.
3 - Mike
Hey whats the song at the beginning of this movie. Played over the scenes of the forest and little hannibla playing with his sister by the water. Its not on the soundtrack, i downloaded it and listened. spent countless hours lookin at countless webpages for the answer, cant seem to find the name of it. please help me out!!