Esmeralda 1986 Hunchback Notre Dame picture image

1986 Esmeralda

The 1986 version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame operates a lot like the Jetlag version where we don’t have fleshed out rich characters but just representations.

The 1986 Esmeralda’s personality is more of a result of bad writing than actual character development.

Esmeralda 1986 Hunchback Notre Dame picture image

1986 Esmeralda

So what do we know about this Esmeralda. Despite following the major plot points of the book, the Sister Gudule subplot is not present, so Esmeralda is full Romani. She also is proud to work hard for her living.

She does have a bit of growth as she claims that she first judged Quasimodo as ugly but learned that he is really beautiful on the inside.

Her being a Gypsy also wasn’t her problem, the movie says it was her being born beautiful, which is different since no other Hunchback version says that so bluntly.

She also is tortured a lot long than every other Esmeralda. Esmeralda is tortured for like a second but 86 Esmeralda lasts from 10:50am to 3pm. There was a clock to tell us, even though clocks with hands were are anachronism for 1482.

She is also the only Esmeralda who lives, that doesn’t get a fully relieved love story. She ends up with no one and seems ok with that. Of course, the movie just ends so it doesn’t really matter.

Esmeralda 1986 Hunchback Notre Dame  picture image

1986 Esmeralda

As far as looks go, despite the bad animation and general bad character design, she is pretty. Her costume is yellow and red. Ah, red Esmeralda costume, we meet again. At least her costume is mostly yellow. It’s a weird design though, I think I just find the large puff sleeve sans the length of the full skirt awkward. It hits her ankles and has two red ruffles along the skirt

I’m not sure if it her voice actress or not but this Esmeralda seems more mature but that could also be her vague personality too. But the low British accent doesn’t help much.

Esmeralda and Gringoire 1986 the Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda and Gringoire

So what aspects of her personality are the result of bad writing? She is rather matter of fact and blunt. She tells Gringoire, point blank, after marring him her reason for doing it was to save him. She wastes no time. She is also not shy about approaching Phoebus. And she tells Frollo that she doesn’t know him. I don‘t think there was ever an Esmeralda as forthcoming as this one.

Esmeralda 1986 Hunchback Notre Dame  picture image

1986 Esmeralda

Since the movie tells the story has a fast rate this personality trait of being honest is for utility, this film does not have time for an ideal dreamy Esmeralda. So to get the story across she has to be honest and straightforward. It’s a interesting take on her but it wasn’t done initially.

Next Time – Quasimodo

Quasimodo 1986 Hunchback Notre Dame  picture image

1986 Quasimodo

Esmeralda and Quasimodo at the Pillory 1986 the Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda and Quasimodo at the Pillory

The 1986 Australian version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame is in so many, many ways like the 1956 version. It follows the book plot almost perfectly but the execution on every other aspects of this movie is bad, like the 1956 version .

This version does changes a lot of things especially at the end. Spoiler warning Esmeralda lives.

The Mob 1986 the Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

The Mob

At the climax the crowd attacks the cathedral and demands Esmeralda’s death, so the court of miracles doesn’t try to save Esmeralda and sanctuary is not suspended.

Quasimodo fights them off as well as kill Frollo. As the crowd demands Esmeralda, Phoebus appears and tell everyone the true, that Frollo is a frowny-pants, he was never and dead and Esmeralda’s only crime was being pretty. Esmeralda ends the movie by saying that Quasimodo is is beautiful and innocent. I have seen worst endings but I have to wonder why Phoebus didn’t say anything earlier.

Phoebus 1986 the Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Phoebus in the crowd (can you see him?)

When Esmeralda is about to be burned at the stake, not sure why they change this since they mention hanging, Phoebus is seen walking through the crowd. It just seems so weird for him not to say anything at that point but then he does later.

Esmeralda and Frollo, sort of the Red Door scene 1986 the Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda and Frollo, sort of the Red Door scene

This version hits the plot notes of the book but it does it in a mechanical way. It’s like they have things happen for no reason than the book say it must, like there is not reason why the mob attacks Notre Dame the just do it. There is no fluidity or joy to the story telling. It’s almost as through the filmmakers felt that if they got the majors plots point right they could skip on other things, like character development or emotion.

Esmeralda and Gringoire 1986 the Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda and Gringoire

The Plot adherence is this version only viable strength they tweaked some things and made weird decision but no version is all faithful.

And if this version had a better script, animation, design, music, etc it could have been much stronger.

Next Time- I guess I should talk about the characters next…….? There is not much to them though.
I guess we’ll start with Esmeralda.

Esmeralda 1986 Hunchback Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda

Quasimodo 1986 Hunchback Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo

If I were to look at the script of the 1986 Australian version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, I would think it was first draft. It had promise at adapting the story but none of the characters are  fleshed out or had anything at all interesting about them. It’s just dull and it’s not is just the script and the characters, the animation, colors, music, etc are just sleep inducing. I forgot I had even saw this one before it was mentioned that I review it.

I bashed the Enchanted Tales version but as horrible as that was at least there was something to discuss, as for the 1986, I’m not even sure there is that much there but I’m sure I can find something.

Though at least being made a decade earlier than the Disney version, it didn’t rip that one off or was made as a cash grab, so that is something.

Next Time – The plot

Esmeralda 1986 Hunchback Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda