This delightful video was made by Amanda G. and it’s a summary of the novel in 4 minutes. Enjoy
Thanks to Amanda G. for letting me post this
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Zephyr Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Zephyr is the son of Phoebus and presumably Esmeralda. Zephyr looks like Phoebus but I guess his slightly darker coloration comes from Esmeralda’s side. I supposed if Zephyr had been a girl child he would have looked like a mini Esmeralda with a slightly lighter coloration, though given Disney maybe Phoebus’ color but Esmeralda doppleganger( Esmeralda with Blond hair click here to see).
Saroush magically zap balls to Zephyr Hunchback II Disney
I have been referring to Zephyr as being personality deficient and it’s true, Zephyr doesn’t have a personality and he’s uninteresting as a character. Basically Zephyr is child and acts as such. But Zephyr is not a character he is a plot device. As the best friends of Quasimodo he shows Madeline that Quasimodo is a nice guy and as the son of Phoebus he gets kidnapped. Zephyr is also used to redeem Madeline in Quasimodo’s eyes. If I has to assign him personality traits I would he’s a curious, impulsive, easily impressed, chatterbox with narcoleptic tendencies. The only things he does as character development are trying to join the circus (cliche childhood fantasy) and saying “yuck” in regards to romance ( yet another childhood cliche).
Zephyr sums up the movie "yuck" Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
The Cast Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Quasimodo and Zephyr Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
So Zephyr wins the award dullest character in not just this sad excuse for a movie but probably all of Disney moviedom.
Zephyr's Award for "Dullest Character to appear in a Disney movie"
And yet oddly enough he’s only new character to get a song in the sequel.
Next Time – The Songs *shudder*
Quasimodo singing Ordinary Miracles Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Remember in Hunchback when we learned not to judge people? Well the Sequel’s plot is completely different it about how beauty is on the inside. The movie illustrates this with a bell that is jewel encrusted on the inside. Clearly the sequel was made by idiots for idiots.
Clopin and Quasimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Sad Quasimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Esmeralda and Quasimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
So basically the movie starts as Quasimodo and Clopin are setting up for a Valentine knock-off called Jour d’amour (Day of Love). The centerpiece of the festival is a bell called La Fidèle. La Fidèle is the jewel encrusted bell on the inside (let the stupidness of that process). As the bell rings people declare their love by shouting their lovers’ name for everyone to hear. However Quasimodo is feeling sad that he doesn’t have a hot girlfriend. Quasmodo’s friends; Esmeralda, Phoebus, and their personality deficient son Zephyr, encourage Quasimodo that one day someone while see his inner beauty and find it attractive because Esmeralds did not.
Circus Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Madeline Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Sarousch Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Just then, the Circus de Anachronism erm.. Sarousch comes to town as part of the Festive. What a festival about love has to with the circus? Hell if I know. After Sarousch makes with an introduction which is ruin by his assistant being MIA, we’re introduced to his assistant Madeline. Madeline is pretty and that is Sarousch wants her to do but Madeline has a lofty ambition; Tightrope walking, however she has low self-esteem because she’s is pretty. Anyway Sarousch has a special job for her, he wants her to seduce the bell-ringer so he can steal the La Fidèle so he can be rich.
Madeline and Quasimodo laugh about Dumb Topics
Smitten Quasimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Quasimodo singing Ordinary Miracles Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Quasimodo in new threads Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Madeline goes to Notre Dame and meets Quasimodo. Quasimodo hides but they share some laughs about some very stupid things. Quasimodo becomes smitten with her when she notices the gargoyles. However it all goes to hell when Madeline sees Quasimodo and runs off. Quasimodo is sad but then sings a dumb song about Miracles (which is more about nature) and he becomes hopeful and goes to the circus complete with some new duds.
Sarousch in his griddle Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Sarousch Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Madeline Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
At the circus Madeline tries to tell Sarousch that she doesn’t want anything to with the plan but Sarousch guilts her in to as he didn’t turn her in after she stole from him when she was six. Sarousch and Madeline then perform an illusion where they make an elephant disappear as Sarousch’s goons steal from the crowd.
Quasimodo and Zephyr Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Madeline and Quasimodo laugh about Dumb Topic again
Madeline and Quasimodo in the rain Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
After the trick Madeline stalks Quasimodo as he tells Zephyr that they’ll always be friends by means of another stupid song. Madeline finds this attractive and approaches Quasimodo. After some more laughing over more stupid things Quasimodo takes her to some of his favorite places in Paris. The date consists of botched souffle, rosemary and a creepy tower. They get caught in the rain and go back to Notre Dame to warm up and bond more.
Meanwhile Phoebus get swarmed with citizens complaining about a rash of thefts. Phoebus deduces that that the circus is behind it.
Esmeralda and Quasimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Esmeralda and Phoebus Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Phoebus getting hit with a ball Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
The next day Quasimodo seeks out Esmeralda as he not feeling well because he’s in love but Phoebus comes in and makes a jerk out himself and accuses the circus people for the robbery (which they are). Esmeralda is upset at him and Quasimodo defends Madeline. Phoebus then says that maybe she’s using Quasimodo. Quasimodo then demands Phoebus to find proof.
Sarousch, Madeline and Goons Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Phoebus and Sarousch Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Sarousch autographs a ball for Zephyr Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Madeline then refuses to help Sarousch any further with his plan but then he threatens Quasimodo so she agrees to lead Quasimodo away from Notre Dame so Sarousch can steal the bell. Phoebus then encounters Sarousch about the thefts and Sarousch blames it all on Madeline. As Sarousch goes to Notre Dame Zephyr follows him because he wants to join the circus.
Sarousch sees La Fidèle Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
So Sarousch steals the bell with the some technique he used in his vanishing elephant tricks (which makes no sense because they need a tunnel to pull of the trick and they’re in a bell tower of a cathedral), the gargoyles prove ineffectual and Zephyr follows Sarousch.
Quasimodo mad while Madeline gets arrested Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Quasimodo cries Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Meanwhile Quasimodo invites Madeline to go to the festival with him but she sort of declines as she hasn’t been honest. As she about to tell him, they hear a bell ringing and Quasimodo rushs back to the cathedral with Madeline in toe. When they get there some priest guy informs everyone that La Fidèle is gone. Quasimodo then blames Madeline for using him and Phoebus arrests her. Quasimodo starts to cry but hears the gargoyles and goes to them. Laverne tells him that Zephyr went after Sarousch.
Sarousch meanwhile in the sewer erm catacombs and discovers Djali and Zephyr. Djali escapes while Zephyr in his infinite wisdom tells Sarousch who is Daddy is. Esmeralda and Quasimodo tell Phoebus about Zephyr and Madeline tells them that Sarousch took the bell underground. Phoebus agrees to go into the catacombs but takes Madeline along.
Sarousch kidnapping Zephyr Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Madeline saving Zephyr Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Sarousch being arrested Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
So yeah, Phoebus encounters Sarousch, Sarousch uses Zephyr as levrage to get away but Madeline uses her tightrope walking to save Zephyr and Sarousch is arrested. La Fidèle is returned, they have their stupid festivel, Quasimodo gets his first kiss, and yada yada yada Quasimodo gets a himself a girlfriend. Gag.
Madeline and Quasimodo kiss Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Zephyr sums up the movie "yuck" Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Next Time – The old Characters
Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
So a little bit more on Achilles and Djali— yeah there is more, go fig….
Djali and Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Djali and Achilles rock as sidekicks, adding humor and charm to the movie. However as I was working on analyzing Djali and Achilles I noticed that their function in the movie goes deeper than just being awesome and fun sidekicks. The key element into this function is that both of the have the same coloration. They’re both white and gray, but they’re gray in the same places. Their muzzle, legs, tails, and hair. I think this maybe overlooked by many viewers because Djali and Achilles only appear on screen once together and Djali dancing so it’s hard to make that connection.
Djali and Achilles Same look Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Achilles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
So what does it matter that Djali and Achilles look alike? Well I think this is one more way that the production tries to reinforce Esmeralda and Phoebus as “the” couple. It’s not enough that they see each other first, that they have the same personality, that they are pretty much counterparts in every way but now they animals links them together. It’s pretty funny that the movie works this hard to tell its’ audience that Phoebus and Esmeralda are made for each other and some viewers still malign Esmeralda for being shallow because she fell in love with Phoebus instead of Quasimodo.
Djali, Esmeralda, and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Next Time – Memorable/Important Side Characters
First to bat The Archdeacon of Notre Dame…..mmmmm I wonder if his offical title is the same as Frollo’s in the novel????
Archdeacon Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
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The Gargoyles – Victor, Hugo and Laverne.
The Gargoyles; Hugo Laverne, Victor Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney
The Gargoyles are the most annoying characters in this movie. They’re the comic relief but they fail at it (ok there are some funny bits but they’re few and very far between).
Hugo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Hugo (voiced by Jason Alexander), the short piggish one, is a load mouth and the most annoying. He also has a thing for Djali.
Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Victor (voiced Charles Kimbrough) is the tall prissy serious one. He is the least interesting.
Laverne Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Laverne (voiced by Mary Wickes/ Jame Withers) is the old one who tells it like is. She is probably the most of tolerable of the gargoyles.
Victor and Hugo were named for Victor Hugo the author, the writers thought they were being clever and they really wanted to prove they had read the book. Laverne was named after Laverne Andrews, one of The Andrew Sisters. They each have their own personalities and at least they balance each other out.
Hugo and Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Laverne and the birds Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Victor, Hugo and Laverne at the end Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Theory goes that the Gargoyles are aspects of Quasimodo’s imagination because he is a forced shut-in who is desperate to be love. However the Director people who thought they were being all smart and junk by trying to deep and profound, forgot (actually they didn’t forget they’re just inconsistent) that Djali interacted with Hugo and they fought to defend Notre Dame. Quasimodo’s main squeeze also saw the Gargoyles in the Sequel {shudders at the thought of the sequel shudders}. So let’s say that the directors are right and their theory that the Gargoyles are imaginary holds water; does this mean Quasimodo imagines Djali seeing Hugo? Does his means when Quasimodo is crowned King of Fools he imagines the Gargoyles cheering him on? Does he imagines the Gargoyles the throwing stuff off off Notre Dame and the soldiers getting hurt especially when Quasimodo is occupied? Does this mean that Quasimodo is the source the pop culture anachronisms? And if the Gargoyles are Quasimodo’s imagination does this mean that after Quasimodo made some real life friends and was accepted by the people the Gargoyles would cease to be? Because they’re still around in the {shudders} sequel {shudders}. If Quasimodo lives in his head this much does this mean Quasimodo in the book is more functional? Plus he must be contently winded from lugging three stone statues around the place, then again made that’s why he can lift up Phoebus in full armor one handed. Personally I think that the Gargoyles are Pan’s Labyrinthesque beings; only those who are innocent and pure can see them, hence why Quasimodo and Djali can see them but they can some effect on the actual world. Though in the German Musical, Der Glockner van Notre Dame, they are imaginary (and they have different names).
Victor, Hugo and Laverne singing A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre dame
Victor, Hugo and Laverne draw pictures Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Hugo in drag as Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
So why are the sidekicks Gargoyles in the first place? Well the oh so smartie directors said in the commentary that Quasimodo speaks to the Gargoyles in the book. They also claim that Quasimodo has long conversations (plural) with the Gargoyles. Looking over the book, I found that he was fond of a ‘grotesque personages sculptured on the wall’, and to this he says “why wasn’t I made of stone like you” (book 9 chapter 4 Earthenware and Crystal). I’m not sure what version of the novel they read where Quasimodo had long conversations with Gargoyles (1939 version? In the 1939 version Quasimodo utters this line to a gargoyle). If they were going to base a sidekick character off of objects that Quasimodo had a relationship with, it should have been the bells. They could’ve a sassy bell named Patti (Patti the Bell (Patti LaBelle) bad joke) that would have much better than the Gargoyles.
Hugo plays poker Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Victor and Laverne singing A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre dame
Gargoyles make an Amadeus reference Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
So what do the Gargoyles do in the film? They’re Quasimodo’s friends and guardians. They make [try] funny quips. They also make pop culture references. Disney has a habit of doing this. They started with the Genie in Aladdin. With the Genie it makes a level of sense because Genies are a supernatural beings, but in Hunchback this doesn’t work as well. The Gargoyles are part of Notre Dame, so how can they have inferences to the future? I don’t care that they magically – they’re part of an ancient building, they should be funny without making stupid references, Djali doesn’t resort it. Plus if they’re in fact imaginary, this means Quasimodo is the one doing it, so it makes even less sense. The only thing that the Gargoyles do well is they get Quasimodo off his ass and encourage him. But they also build Quasimodo’s expectations up too high. They convince him that Esmeralda is in love with him, which leads to some of Quasimodo’s emoness when she doesn’t reciprocate.
Victor and Laverne's drawing of Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Hugo draws Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Victor, Hugo and Laverne trying to liberate Quasimodo in emo-mode Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
So the point of the Gargoyles is to provide levity but they just distract from the movie. Disney boasts the Hunchback as being their darkest movie but the Gargoyles hinder it. Plus the movie has some good levity already, Phoebus, Esmeralda, Clopin, Djali, Achilles, those stupid bumbling guards, the old heretic, the torturer guy etc, they all provide good comedy while keeping the flow of the movie and without making references. Disney really could have done better in the sidekick department for Quasimodo.
Speaking of Sidekicks next time – Achilles and Djali
Disney Djali eating wooden a figurine
Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
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So last time we looked at the Disney characters on a board level, now lets look at them on a deeper level.
Let’s start with the titular character: Quasimodo!
Quasimodo’s Reveal
Quasimodo may be told he is ugly and monstrous but if we compare him to his book counterpart, he is on the cute side of the monster spectrum. He’s a hunchback and he is shorter than most of the other characters, but that’ not enough to make him an isolated monster. He has the over-the-eye protrusion that Hugo described but it does not impair his’ vision to the point of being a cyclopes. Instead Quasimodo has big, friendly doe eyes. He has a red full head of head hair and wears a green tunic. Two of the more uglier factors are his big stub nose and his teeth (large teeth in the front of his mouth).
Quasimodo singing “Out There”
Unlike Hugo’s version, Quasimodo is not deaf, he sings and talks a lot but it being a musical it would have been a challenge for the directors to have a deaf hero who has to sing (Disney movie from the 90s, heros must sing), so it understandable why Quasimodo is not deaf.
Quasimodo’s personality in the Disney movie is completely different from the book. In the book Quasimodo is morose and angry. At the beginning of the book he only loves Notre Dame, the bells, and Frollo. He’s not interested in being among the normal people of Paris nor is he forbidden from going out among them. Disney’s Quasimodo is forbidden from going outside and all he wants is to spend one day of his life among the normal people.
Quasimodo gazing at Esmeralda
As the story progresses he falls in love with Esmeralda. In the Book, he falls in love with her after she shows a little kinds and pity by giving him water when he is on the pillory for trying to kidnap her because Frollo ordered him. That simple act was what did it for him, not her dancing or her looks. In Disney again Esmeralda shows him kindness but when he first meets her, she was kind to him and complimented his ugly mask (really his face) and Quasimodo likes the positive attention. He see her dance and he likes it.
Quasimodo and Esmeralda on the pillory
When Quasimodo is being tortured by the crowd at the Festival of Fools, she does save him but he was already interested in her, but I guess maybe that sealed his “love for her”. The Disney Quasimodo’s love is more manifested as a school boy crush than a deep connection and I don’t believe he would crawl into vault and to die next to her rather than live without her.
Quasimodo’s figurines from “Heaven’s Light”
Quasimodo declares Sanctuary for Esmeralda
It’s sweet that he believes that she could love him whereas in the book Quasimodo doesn’t believe it, even if he wishes he could. Quasimodo is mostly depicted as kind and gentle. He gets depressed but it never lasts too long. He’s also loyal which I think is the biggest similarity to Hugo’s original character.
Frollo and Quasimodo
Quasimodo is a dynamic character. He changes though the course of the movie, mainly in his attitude towards Frollo. At beginning he is nervous around Frollo even though he believes Frollo to be his defender. His nervousness around Frollo stems from Frollo’s abuse towards him. Frollo calls him ugly repeatedly and a monster. When Frollo comes to visits him, Frollo gets a silver goblet and plate while Quasimodo get a wooden goblet and plate. Frollo keeps him locked up in bell tower of Notre Dame while Frollo dwells elsewhere, you’d think the Palace of Justice would be a better place to lock one up forever, it being a jail instead a public building. I would like to point out in the book,
Frollo and Quaismodo
Frollo keeping Quasimodo at Notre Dame made sense as Frollo himself lived in the cloister as he was a priest, Quasimodo didn’t move to the Bell Tower till he was 14 years old. He moved there to be the bell-ringer because he loved the bells, not as punishment for his deformity or as method for absolution for Frollo. Quasimodo calls Frollo master but Frollo insists that he raised Quasimodo as his son. Quasimodo would probably be fairly well adjusted if it wasn’t for Frollo. Quasimodo then disobeys Frollo and goes to the Festival of Fools to fulfill his dream. He continues to disobey Frollo as he gains real human interacts with Esmeralda and Phoebus. At the end he stands up against Frollo and learns that people like Frollo are the cause for all the hate in world and once Frollo is dead he is finally accepted by the people.
Quasimodo accepted by the people
Despite being in the Disney mold of hero/dreamer, Quasimodo is good character, he appeals the outsider in all of us. The film is good achiving it’s overall theme though Quasimodo despite being thrust upon the audience, but at least he is likable and grows as character.
Next time we’ll look at Frollo.
Judge Claude Frollo
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Quasimodo’s Reveal Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney
The plot of the Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame is a water-down and condense version of Hugo’s novel and the 1939 version. Because the film is for children the film couldn’t follow it 100% or even 75% so watering it down is understandable. To the film’s credit it did opt for a darker tone than most Disney movies especially where Frollo is concerned. And for the record there are worse children adaptions and as it stands, it is the best among the Hunchback for kids movies.
Victor, Hugo and Laverne singing A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre dame
So the plot is stripe down to it barest essentials with a lens on Quasimodo and add-ons from the 1939 version. They added a moral, eliminated some characters (Gringoire, Jehan, Louis, Sister Gudule (who is hardly ever mention in the adaptations) and added some characters (The gargoyles).
Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame Dancing
The basic plot is really about a cute girl and the guys that “love” her and where these men take that love into their psyches. That’s Hugo’s book at it’s most basic level, the problem is that since this book was published in English the focus has been take off Esmeralda (Notre Dame de Paris) and went to Quasimodo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame). And to make it worse, two of the most famous “Hunchback” movies from the golden age of cinema, were vehicles for leading man playing Quasimodo. So the movies really do think that Quasimodo has to be the focus of the film and Disney really bought into this mentally (listen to DVD commentary).
Frollo and Qausimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney
So the Disney plot lies in the moral that Quasimodo inspires, sure he ugly as all hell but he’s beautiful on the inside, and that’s what the plot is trying to teach, don’t judge people. A corrupt, yet pious Judge can still be a an evil jerk. Of course, this moral is as subtle as a ton bricks and the scenes can never shift away from Quasimodo for too long unless it’s a counterpoint to how great he is, and that would be how terrible Frollo is. So Frollo can gets just as many songs and srceen time as Quasimodo. This is why you’ll only see one scene without either Frollo or Quasimodo, which is Phoebus and Esmeralda’s introduction, you could count their time in Notre Dame but Frollo is technically in that scene and since there no cut in locations Quasimodo is there too . That scene of Esmeralda in Notre Dame speaking with Phoebus, getting grope by Frollo, and singing God help the Outcast ends with her following Quasimodo to the bell tower, so it doesn’t really count. So there is only one scene without Quasimodo or Frollo. The plot lives and dies on Frollo and Quasimodo and so the film’s moral is ALSO being referenced during the film’s duration. Even the songs act a method to reference the moral. All of Quasimodo and Frollo’s song are linked by this man vs monster prespective. Clopin is the only character who gets some songs with any levity.
Clopin Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Phoebus, Quasimodo, Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
So how was the plot of Disney’s Hunchback? Despite the film’s tunnel view of not giving a character that isn’t Quasimodo or Frollo 5 minutes of screen time. the film’s plot does well. It keeps the overall feeling of the story and makes it kid friendly and that was Disney’s angle and yet gives it a darker edge which help roots the film in Hugo’s book. But the book and the Disney’s version are character driven and not as plot driven so next time let look at the Disney version of Hugo’s characters.
Next time – a brief look at the Characters of Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame
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Clopin Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Disney version starts off with Clopin (Paul Kandel) regaling small children with the tale of the mysterious bell ringer and how he came the position. Though a song (The Bells of Notre Dame) and a flashback Clopin tells of a group of Gypsies entering Paris via the Seine, the notable Gypsy is a women with a child. After docking the Gypsies are caught by Judge Claude Frollo (Tony Jay). Frollo doesn’t care much for gypsies and orders their arrest but when he tries to take the baby from the women (he thinks it stolen goods) she runs toward Notre Dame. After the chase Frollo kills the women on the steps of Notre Dame and Frollo tries to drown the child who is deformed. Before Frollo can do it he’s stop by the Archdeacon (David Ogden Stiers) who guilts Frollo into taking care of child but Frollo demands that the child must live in the bell-tower. Clopin then asks us to consider what the bells supposedly say “who is the monster and who is the man”
Frollo and Quasimodo
After a lovely crescendo and the title screen featuring those crazy bells we’re introduced to Quasimodo (Tom Hulce) who is urging a baby bird to fly away as no one wants to be cooped up in Notre Dame forever. After the bird flies away Quasimodo’s gargoyles friends come to life. Victor (Charles Kimbrough), Hugo (Jason Alexander), and Laverne (Mary Wickes(and Jane Withers)). The three urge Quasimodo to go the Festival of Fools but Quasimodo says he forbidden to ever leave the cathedral by his master Frollo. After some a little encouragement he decides to go but Frollo shows up and tries to persuades him out of ever leaving because of his ugliness he’ll only meet with hate. Frollo does with via song (Out There). After Frollo is done singing and leaves Quasimodo takes over the song (Out There), and sings about a desire to have one day out among normal people.
Disney Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame dancing
The scene switches to Phoebus (Kevin Klein), Captain of the Guard, returning to Paris. He catches the eye of pretty Gypsy girl, Esmeralda (Demi Moore), dancing for coins. After some other guards show up and accosted Esmeralda for stealing, Phoebus aids in her escape. Phoebus then makes the trouble-making, underling guards guide him to the Palace of Justice. He meets Frollo who explains that Paris must be rid of the Gypsies as they weaken the moral of the otherwise good Parisian and then they head out to the Festival of Fools.
Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Festival begins as a clocked Quasimodo swing down from Notre Dame and gets caught up in the festivity of the party as Clopin serves as the master of ceremonies by singing Topsy Turvy . While Quasimodo is getting thrown about he crashes into a tent where Esmeralda is changing. She asks Quasimodo if he is injured and compliments his mask, Quasimodo is instantly smitten with her. Frollo, Phoebus, and guards arrive on the scene and Esmerlada dances for crowd and gets the attention of Quasimodo, Frollo and Phoebus. After that the King of Fools contest starts, as the ugly masses came on to the stage, Esmeralda pulls Quasimodo up on stage. Once it is reveal that Quasimodo “mask” is really his face he is crowned king of fools, much to Frollo’s disapproval.
Esmeralda defying Frollo by helping Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
After the song ends, the underling guards, throws a tomato at Quasimodo causing the crowd to pelt him with foodstuff and tie him down to the pillory. Phoebus wants to intervene but Frollo insists Quasimodo is learning a lesson. The barrage of food ceases when Esmeralda ascends the pillory, and apologizes to Quasimodo. Frollo orders her down and not to help. After a quip about justice and mistreat of people (especially her people) she free Quasimodo. Frollo orders her arrest and a merry chase ensues.
Frollo gropes Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
After Esmerlada gives everyone the sip, Quasimodo apologizes to Frollo and returns to Notre dame. Phoebus sees an old man wander into Notre Dame and follows. The old man is Esmerlada who has chosen Notre Dame as hiding place. She senses a presence behind her (Phoebus) and she engages him in combat. As she fights, he flirts, which after a bit works but Frollo interferes demanding her arrest. Phoebus claims she claim sanctuary and he can’t do anything. Frollo demand that she be dragged out side but the good-old Archdeacon commands that Frollo can’t do anything. As Phoebus and the other guards leave, Frollo hides and grabs Esmeralda from the back and says he’ll wait for her to leave and then continues to grope her. He leaves and Esmeralda learns that guards are position all around the cathedral. Esmeralda sings a prayer for not just her people but for all outcast (Good help the Outcast {sung by Heidi Mollenhauer). As she sings Quasimodo hears it and follow it. When the song ends Quasimodo is told off and flee back up to the bell tower, as he flees Esmeralda pursues.
Frollo singing Hellfore Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The two becomes friends and learn more about each and how Frollo can be wrong about people. Quasimodo then decide to help Esmeralda escape but climbing down the building. Esmeralda ask Quasimodo to comes with her to The Court of Miracles (the Gypsy haven), but he refuses and she gives him a woven band to help if he needs sanctuary. Quasimodo returns to the tower and his gargoyle tease him about having a girlfriend. He sings a song about his feelings for Esmeralda and hope for love (Heaven’s light). Meanwhile, Frollo is also singing about his lust and obsession for Esmeralda (Hellfire). During the course of the song he learns that Esmeralda has escaped.
Phoebus being hit by an arrow Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The next day, Frollo has order the capture of Esmeralda. He uses force, bribes, and attempted manslaughter. Frollo tries to kill an entire family for harboring Gypsies, he orders Phoebus to burn the house where the family is trap but Phoebus refuses and sentence to death, but a disguised Esmeralda intervenes via rock. Phoebus gets away but is shoot by an arrow and falls into river. Esmeralda saves him.
Phoebus and Esmeralda Kiss Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Meanwhile, Frollo has set Paris ablaze. Quasimodo is worried about Esmeralda’s safety but the Gargoyle assure him that she’s fine and she’ll return to Quasimodo and convinces him that she is in love with (A Guy like you). The song ends with Esmeralda entering the tower and asks Quasimodo to hide Phoebus. As Esmeralda tends to Phoebus‘ wound it became clear that she not into Quasimodo in the romantic sense. Quasimodo hears Frollo coming and Quasimodo tries to cover. Frollo reveals that he knows where the Court of Miracles is and is going to attack. Quasimodo and Phoebus set out to warn the Gypsies. Quasimodo relies that the woven band is a map and they find the Court of Miracles. The pair is ambush by Clopin (Court of Miracles), since the Court of Miracles doesn’t like uninvited guest they going to hang them, but Esmeralda stops them. Phoebus warns them about the attack but Frollo followed them and arrest everyone.
Quasimodo declares Sanctuary for Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre
As Frollo prepare to execute Esmeralda, he asks her to chose him or the fire, she choses the later and the pyre is set aflame. Quasimodo then swings down from Notre Dame frees Esmeralda swing back up and yells sanctuary. Frollo the attacks Notre Dame and Quasimodo defends. Everyone get in on the battle, Phoebus, Clopin, the gargoyles, random extra and birds. Quasimodo uses molten lead but Frollo sneaks in.
Quasimodo accepts Esmeralda and Phoebus as a couple Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Quasimodo tells Esmeralda to come see his victory but it seems like she dies of asphyxiation. Quasimodo cries as Frollo slips into the room and tries to kill him but Quasimodo fights back and Esmeralda regains consciences, and Frollo goes on murderous offense. After a bit of fight Frollo is about to win as Esmeralda clings to Quasimodo who is dangling over the edge of Notre Dame but Frollo support gives out and he falls to his death. Esmerlada strength gives out and Quasimodo falls but he caught by Phoebus. Quasimodo then gives the couple his blessing. Esmeralda and Phoebus emerge from the cathedral and are met with cheers. Esmeralda offers Quasimodo her hand and leads him outside where he is finally accepted by the people. Clopin reprise “The Bells of Notre Dame” and asks us “what makes a monster and what makes a man”.
Next time – A Plot Review of Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame
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So after looking at the plot overview let’s review it. The first thing to look at is the script. The script of 1939 version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame was written by Bruno Frank and Sonya Levien. Frank wrote an adaptation and Levien wrote a screenplay based off that adaptation. The thing to keep in mind about Frank’s adaptation is that he was a German author, poet, dramatist and humanist of Jewish descent. He fled Germany because he feared the Government and lived in Austria and England before going to America in 1937. He then starting working in Hollywood as a writer. So given the political environment of the late 30’s along with Frank’s experience it’s no wonder that the Hunchback of Notre Dame parallels Europe of the late 30s. Considering Frank’s background as an author/poet/humanist it’s understandable why Gringoire is co-hero with Quasimodo.
Speaking of Quasimodo and scenes that feature him, most of his lines are pretty much verbatim to what Victor Hugo wrote. The film also likes to insert him wherever it can: Louis commenting on the Bells and asking about the Bell ringer, the girl crying to grandmother about seeing him, scaring Esmeralda away from Notre Dame, confessing to Phoebus‘ murder, and him alone at the end. Clearly the film compensates for Quasimodo isn’t the main character in the book.
One of the major problems with the plot is that because there is this push towards modernity, which Louis and Gringoire represent, there are lot of scenes that are either completely added, like opening scene or added to much larger parts of the film so that Louis and Gringoire can be featured more. Quasimodo’s flogging and Esmeralda’s trial are good examples. The pillory scene cuts away to other characters and sometimes just random extras, but it mainly cuts to Gringoire and Clopin, who are talking about the truth about beggary and Gringoire wanting to help Quasimodo, so he prolonged in the scene further by seeing Claude. Esmeralda’s trial has interjects made by Gringoire pleading for common sense, Quasimodo confessing to the murder, and Louis giving Esmeralda a “Trial by Ordeal” the “ordeal” is more chance, basically she just has to touch the right dagger (Louis) to be freed but she fails. These add on don’t add much and if they accomplish anyway it weak character develop at best.
all these pictures are all from the “pillory scene” and now for the trial
this scene does not have as many ADD-ons as the pillory scene but when Quasimodo comes in it just falls apart and having Louis there makes it worst.
Another big problem is Frollo’s obsession/lust for Esmeralda comes off very contrived. He sees her dance, he stares but I don’t think he is enchanted by her at that moment. Their discussion in Notre Dame is just there so he can talk to her. He starts by letting his prejudices and superstition about her and her people be known and thne he stares at her breasts for more than a few seconds. And while that part is quite amusing, it seems so forced, it almost like he bored of talking to her. After that the talk takes a dive because they strike an accord over a mutual love of animals, for no explain reason Frollo keeps a dozen cats in his office, I guess this would explain why he took in Quasimodo in the first place. Anyway it seemed that Frollo and Esmeralda could be have friends if Quasimodo haven’t scared her and he tried to kidnap her. A side point about the kidnapping, at the point where Esmeralda fled from Notre Dame she apparently lived in sanctuary because she didn’t have a city permit and would be arrested for not having one, so seemed like the “kidnapping” was only to take her back to safety. It’s good thing the guard who recused her didn’t ask for her permit, actually the permit thing is never mention again, it completed its’ mission for the plot. Anyway back to the Frollo/Esmeralda dynamic, given his tepid feeling and her lacking of feeling anything towards him, this makes the confession scene odd. Esmeralda and Gringoire are performing and for some weird reason Frollo is hosting. He asks Gringoire if he is ready to perform. When Gringoire is out the way , Frollo makes his move and confesses his confused little feelings. Now prior to this scene Frollo tried exactly once to find Esmeralda, he had all the Gypsy girls in the Court of Miracle arrested and then released because Esmeralda wasn’t there. So he didn’t shown his powerful obsession/lust, so it hard to buy his torment. Prior to this we know that Esmeralda doesn’t have any strong dislike of Frollo, so I don’t buy her fear in this scene either. Then she goes off with Phoebus and Frollo kills him again I don’t believe he was pushed to murder. Since Frollo is the catalyst that causes the story to take motion, the Frollo/Esmeralda dynamic needs to strong, not there because the it was in the original.
I do like that the theme is old vs new and embraces the sprit of progress, it’s a nice change of pace for a Hunchback movie. The cliche theme for Hunchback films is “beauty is on the inside”. But the theme does tries to hard it assert itself and competes with original too much. I think the plot suffers because of this and ultimately the the plot and the screenplay are the weakest element of the film.
Next time we’ll look at the Mise-en-scene for the movie. see ya then!
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