The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)
Average Rating: 8.4/10
Reviews Counted: 9
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 0
No consensus yet.
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Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 7,423
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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.
Oct 28, 1997
Sony Pictures Entertainment
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Cast
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Charles Laughton
Quasimodo -
Cedric Hardwicke
Dom Claude Frollo -
Maureen O'Hara
Esmeralda -
Thomas Mitchell
Clopin -
Edmond O'Brien
Pierre Gringoire -
Walter Hampden
Archbishop -
Alan Marshal
Phoebus de Chateaupers -
Harry Davenport
Louis XI -
Katherine Alexander
Madame De Lys -
George Zucco
Procurator -
Fritz Leiber
Old Nobleman -
Etienne Girardot
The King's Physician -
Helene Whitney
Fleur De Lys -
Minna Gombell
Queen of Beggars -
Arthur Hohl
Olivier -
Rod La Rocque
Phillipo -
Spencer Charters
Court Clerk -
-
-
George Tobias
Beggar -
-
-
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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.
Laughton gives an unforgettable haunting performance.
Gorgeous, brilliant, nearly flawless. Easily the best version
Don't rent the Disney one by mistake.
Audience Reviews for The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Super Reviewer
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- Quasimodo: Why was I not made of stone, like thee?
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- Quasimodo: Sanctuary!
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Foreign Titles
- Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) (DE)
- The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (UK)
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.