The Hunchback of Notre Dame

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Joaquin U @Joaquin1 Jul 5, 2026 Awesome. For more than a century, this movie has stood as one of the landmark productions in film history. The cast is powerful, and the adaptation of the novel holds up. The direction can feel a bit loose, but it delivers standout sequences and even pioneers cinematic techniques used for the first time — innovations that paved the way for later horror classics. The main thing to watch is Lon Chaney, delivering a performance for the ages. A true classic — can’t recommend it more. See more Meathook C @MeathookCinema Mar 14, 2026 Hunchback Quasimodo falls for gypsy Esmeralda. But the hunchback finds that he isn’t the only one who loves her as other, more powerful (and less moral) men also want her for their own. There’s so much to love here. Of particular mention are the sets and locales which are still very impressive indeed. The make-up is also, understandably, impressive and very much integral to this film. Whilst all of the cast shine, it’s Lon Chaney’s tour de force turn which comes to the fore. This is a silent film, but that doesn’t stop him from fully winning the audience’s sympathies. Another thing of beauty is the film’s poster. It’s glorious. This was Universal’s most successful silent film of all time. 4 out of 5 stars See more Justin T @RT08580778 Dec 15, 2025 I was surprisingly engaged with the interesting and complex story. Good filmmaking is timeless and transcends current limitations. In some ways though this is more like a book with pictures than a movie but that is fine as it gives you time to think about what is happening. It is very well made, so much better and with more depth than Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1913). It’s amazing to see how far the medium has developed in 10 years. Highly recommended, not just for historians or film fans. If this was made today in the same way, people would praise it for its arthouse vibe. See more Jay W @RT52162311 Nov 20, 2024 Before Lon Chaney Jr. Became the Wolfman, Lon Chaney Sr. Was becoming a horror movie icon with his silent film performances. Daddy Chaney starred as the Phantom in "The Phantom of the Opera" and Quasimodo in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". Both of these classic silent films have been remade several times and have become more famous as musicals. But today, we look at the original big screen adaptation of Victor Hugo's story. This is one of those movies where you have to preface just about every praise with the qualifier: "For its time.". Really, it's a miracle that this film has survived for over 100 years. As you watch it on any streaming service you get that idea that the original film this is being played on is set to fall apart any second. This was an ambitious project. Due to the limitations of the time, the silent films typically have an easy to follow story with little dialogue and easily recognizable conflicts. Hunchback has more going on in its story than say, Charlie Chaplin trying to impress a girl. Don't get me wrong, a big portion of this story is trying to impress a girl, but there is a lot more to it. Consequently, the viewer really has to give this silent movie their full attention. And when I say silent, I mean silent, there was absolutely no music backing in the version I watched. Ir becomes a situation where I ask, does this even count as a movie? It is more a visual novel than a movie. I respect the film for what it was trying to do, and it may make an entertaining backdrop for a Halloween party. But I can't recommend sitting down and watching the full thing. See more Liam D @Mediawatcher2003 Oct 22, 2024 One of the first adaptations of the Victor Hugo’s novel and the one that leads the most into horror. It still holds up 101 years later See more Teddy B @RT38636458 Apr 12, 2024 Wallace Worsley's direction isn't anything to really write home about but, admit it, Lon Chaney carries this film on his hunched back and into the stratosphere. See more Read all reviews

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

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