Hopkins angry at censor talk for 'Hannibal'

BERLIN, Germany -- Sir Anthony Hopkins is fuming over reports that his film Hannibal may be censored in Italy because of excessive violence, an interview showed on Tuesday.

After being asked about reports of censorship by Italian authorities, the British-born actor told German newspaper Bild, "It's hypocrisy -- censorship is tyranny. No one is being forced to see Hannibal.

"Censorship would ruin the film and destroy it," Hopkins declared following the premiere of his film at the Berlin Film Festival.

"In Italy a lot of people are already running to their psychiatrists - even without having seen the film."

Hannibal, the sequel to the 1991 Silence of the Lambs has been criticised for its gratuitous violence and particularly gruesome scenes.

In one part Hopkins' character eats the brain of one of his drugged victims -- while he is alive and talking.

Four women fainted and were removed by ambulance after seeing the movie in Italy on Sunday.

In both Germany and Australia, authorities are considering giving the film a rating, which would restrict it to audiences over the age of 18.

The film, directed by Ridley Scott, has pulled in $58 million in the first three days of its release in North America -- ranking number one in the U.S. box office hits.

Only two movies have taken more money on their opening weekend.

Hopkins defended the film, pointing out that English tragedies in Shakespeare's time were filled with blood and violence.

"It was a gruesome world and that is the way it was portrayed," he said. "There was torture, people were killed and murdered.

"There are really a lot of people interested in Hannibal Lecter."

Reuters contributed to this report.

Bloody 'Hannibal' lacks bite of 'Lambs'
February 8, 2001
'Hannibal' makes a break for it
February 7, 2001

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Hannibal

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