Montana's Hidden Role in The Silence of the Lambs

I watched The Silence of the Lambs for the first time in my life earlier this week. Yes, I know, I'm behind the eight-ball and should have watched it years ago. I have a lot of classic films to catch up on, so I'm doing my best at chipping away at the mile-long list.

It was a great movie — not that you need me to tell you that. It was the last film to win the "Big Five" categories at the Academy Awards.

Best Picture
Best Director (Jonathan Demme)
Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins)
Best Actress (Jodie Foster)
Best Adapted Screenplay

The Silence of the Lambs swept the 64th Academy Awards, and according to Wikipedia, it is the only horror film to win Best Picture.

Jodie Foster speaks at a Silence of the Lambs Q&A. Credit: Joe Mahler (Getty Images)

Do you remember Montana's reference in The Silence of the Lambs?

As the film was rolling along, we reached a scene where "Montana" was mentioned. It always perks my ears up to hear "Montana" mentioned in a movie or TV show. Like that time I heard it in South Park.

Montana was referenced in the bone-chilling scene when Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) is interviewing Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) about running away from her foster home, when we find out she lived on a sheep farm in MON-FRICKEN-TANA.

"After your father's murder, you were orphaned, you were 10 years old. You went to live with cousins on a sheep and horse ranch in Montana, and... - Dr. Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs.

First off, the scene is incredible. Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins absolutely knock it out of the park. Second, shoutout to Montana. The state hardened and crafted Clarice into the great detective she became.