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The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)

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No Reviews Yet...

audience

76

liked it
Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 7,423

My Rating

Movie Info

In 15th century France, a gypsy girl is framed for murder by the infatuated Chief Justice, and only the deformed bellringer of Notre Dame Cathedral can save her.

Unrated,

Drama, Romance, Classics

Victor Hugo, Sonya Levien, Bruno Frank

Oct 28, 1997

Sony Pictures Entertainment

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All Critics (14) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (0) | DVD (1)

Charles Laughton gives a riveting, haunting perfromance in this atmospheric, Oscar-nominated version, previously shot in 1923 with Lon Chaney and in 1957 with Anthony Quinn.

June 4, 2012 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com
EmanuelLevy.Com

Laughton gives an unforgettable haunting performance.

June 27, 2006 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Gorgeous, brilliant, nearly flawless. Easily the best version

October 2, 2002
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Don't rent the Disney one by mistake.

July 29, 2002
eFilmCritic.com

Audience Reviews for The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Medieval drama about a gypsy girl who comes to Paris and the physically disfigured bell ringer she befriends. The narrative's success derives from how it captures the tragic plight of our bell ringer in Paris' legendary church so perfectly. Society's tendency to build someone up one minute only to tear them down the next is brilliant paralleled in Quasimodo's story arc. First being crowed "King of Fools" at the festival one moment then they're publicly whipping him in the town square the next.

The quality of the performances is what elevates this to a work of art. Charles Laughton gives the definitive performance of Quasimodo, the deformed hunchback of Notre Dame. A delightfully atypical choice to play a sympathetic role, for an actor often type-cast as people with arrogant or unscrupulous qualities. His expressive face speaks volumes. Indeed for the first third, he doesn't utter a word. He's supported by a stellar cast. Maureen O'Hara is radiant as Esmeralda, a lovely gypsy who inspires passion in several men. Her touching act of kindness toward Quasimodo at one of his darkest hours is a beautifully acted gesture filled with poignancy. At the other end of integrity is Frollo played by Sir Cedric Hardwicke. A villainous tour de force, he is a stern, deeply flawed individual consumed by earthly desire and a lack of accountability. Also worth mentioning is Edmond O'Brien in his film debut . Esmeralda's chemistry with him as the slightly goofy poet-playwright Gringoire is sweet.

Performances and set design combine perfectly to create a sweeping historical epic for the ages with a surprising amount of human intimacy. Whether it's 15th century France or elsewhere modern world, the film's themes transcend time and place.
July 22, 2008
hobster1

Super Reviewer

Laughton is great and the picture is a high quality production the only negative is the complete absence of anything but American accents which can be distracting. Screen debuts for both O'Hara and O'Brien who is so young and slender at first he's not recognizable both acquit themselves well though.
August 6, 2007
jjnxn
jay nixon

Super Reviewer

    1. Quasimodo: Why was I not made of stone, like thee?
    – Submitted by Jared B (11 months ago)
    1. Quasimodo: Sanctuary!
    – Submitted by Chris P (2 years ago)

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Foreign Titles

  • Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) (DE)
  • The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (UK)
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