When I began to do some research on a horror story of murder, kidnapping and rape out of Philadelphia from the mid-to-late 1980’s (Gary Heidnik), I realized that there was yet another huge influence on my true crime journey that I nearly forgot about. I am sure all of us interested in the genre were fascinated by The Silence of the Lambs when it debuted in theaters in 1991. I could not believe that movie when I saw it. It has always drawn me in.
First, there was a female investigative lead in Jodi Foster’s character. How awesome! Second, Hannibal Lecter. What in the actual hell is this guy? This character was like none I had seen to that time, and you have to admit he was a great representation of evil. Third, there was Buffalo Bill. Lecter was scary, but Bill – wow. He felt, to me, more closely aligned to reality. This guy was scary because I felt he likely existed somewhere.
I later learned that the character of Buffalo Bill was based on a few real people who actually committed some of the acts that Buffalo Bill does in that movie. I knew it! This guy actually existed – sort of. This is partially what got me back into reading and learning more about true crime.
In an interview of John Douglas, (retired special agent with the FBI, and one of the early criminal profilers) he stated that the author of the Silence of the Lambs (Thomas Harris) actually used traits and behaviors from several famous killers to make up the personality of Buffalo Bill. He claims Harris combined the following murderers to create his memorable character:
- Ted Bundy – who gained victims’ sympathy by feigning injury
- Ed Gein – who liked to use human skin to make clothes and other items
- Gary Heidnik – who kept his victims in a pit as a part of their torture.
All of these murderers had been interviewed by John Douglas at one time, and he then provided some of the information to Harris as he was drafting his novels about the infamous Hannibal Lecter. Harris was able to take just a few things from each of these murderers to create a character that none of us will ever forget.
Of course we have to give credit where it’s due. Anthony Hopkins as Lecter was amazing. We can’t really imagine anyone else in that role. I suppose someday, for another generation, there will be a remake. I would watch it, but would be unable to stop myself from comparing whomever played the role to Hopkins.
Then there is Ted Levine as Buffalo Bill. I mean, the casting in this movie was just great. This is really one instance where I do not feel the book outdoes the movie. This movie is great to me on so many levels.
The books and movies that influence each of us vary greatly, I am sure. The more research I do into these stories to create this blog, the more I see that we are a lot the same too. We are fascinated by things that make others shudder. We don’t mind looking at these horrific stories because we can understand that while our curiosity may seem morbid to some, we know our interest lies in the ‘why’. But, many of us also want to make sure that victims are not forgotten in these stories. It’s easy to tell the lurid tales of murderers. In fact, many times those stories write themselves. It takes effort to keep victims front and center. I want to make sure the victims are not forgotten in the stories I relay on this blog.
In the twenty or so years I have spent either working on criminal cases as a trial assistant or an advocate, it has become second nature to keep the victims and their stories at top of mind. The “Why me?” question is a difficult one that most victims never learn the answer to. I believe that is part of the mystique for those of us interested in true crime. Each of those victims could have been you or me. That’s why we read about them, watch movies and series about them, listen to podcasts and just gain as much information as we can. I am very well aware that at any time, that victim could be me.
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