Something to get your teeth into

By Katharine MacColl

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WHILE the return of Hannibal Lecter is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year, the people of Florence, Italy were less than impressed to find the notorious cannibal on their doorsteps during filming.

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Residents�were horrified to be associated with the blockbuster, as it dredged up memories of the serial killer known as the 'Monster of Florence'.

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Shooting on location in the historic city was essential to the plot, but director Ridley Scott and producer Dino De Laurentiis had to use all the persuasive charm of Lecter himself to get the go-ahead.

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In 1992, farm worker Pietro Pacciani was convicted of killing eight courting couples in the woods in and around Florence between 1968 and 1985. He was later acquitted on appeal, but faced another trial before he died of a heart attack in 1998.

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Hannibal author Thomas Harris attended the trial and was inspired to locate his twisted creation in the Tuscan capital.

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Florentine politicians were so horrified to hear of the film - which hits�the big screen on 15 Feburary - that they wrote an open letter to the mayor of the town questioning the decision.

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Some objected to the gruesome scenes, claiming they would harm the image of the beautiful Renaissance city. Hollywood flexed its muscles and the film-makers got their way, including access to the Church of Santa Croce.

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So�Hannibal, it seems, is back. However, this time with�fewer familiar faces. Despite winning a clutch of Oscars for Silence of the Lambs, Jodie Foster has been replaced by Julianne Moore as FBI agent Clarice Starling and director Jonathan Demme has seen Ridley Scott take his place behind the camera.

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Few doubt Sir Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of the blood-stained character Dr Hannibal Lecter will be any less menacing than before, and after 10 years living la dolce vita in Florence, Lecter has worked up an appetite.

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And although much will depend on the box office success of Hannibal, there are plans for another horrific thriller.

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Movie bosses are keen to return to Lecter's roots with an up-dated version of Red Dragon, the first novel to feature the demented doctor.

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The story has already been filmed as Manhunter, Michael Mann's 1986 film, starring Brian Cox as Lecter. But producer De Lautentiis plans another look at the novel. The remake of Red Dragon will concentrate on the dark deeds of Lecter rather than WIll Grahar, the FBI investigator who tracked him down.

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Anyone hungry....