Beauty and Beast | The Hunch

08Oct 2011

Minor Difference Disney VS Book plus Rant

by Jessica

A rant and an admission of fault

(post contains affiliate links)

Given how every facet of Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame is different from the original novel, there aren’t that many minor differences. However there a few;

A Happy Ending

Quaismodo Bells of Notre dame reprise Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Quaismodo Bells of Notre dame reprise Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Clopin Reprise of Bells of Notre Dame Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Clopin Reprise of Bells of Notre Dame Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Good Guys lives.

Yeah, this isn’t a big differences. Most film adaptations let the leads live. It is interesting that Esmeralda is really only spared because she is sentence to burn instead of hanging. If she had hanged the scene would have been less dramtic. So another minor difference is all the fire imagery including Esmeralda on the stake.

Also in letting the character live it takes away the theme of “Ananke” (simply meaning Death Destiny) Ananke is the word that book is based off of. However it’s only been features in like two adaptations and beside this movie is about how we “not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within” no wait that’s Beauty and the Beast…. no it’s the same in Hunchback of the Notre Dame. Stupid Disney morals ruining their movies.

(2026 edit many versions skip Ananke, it shouldn’t be a point against it. If anyting it shoud be a point against version who introduce the concept and do nothing with it. So no Disney having a happy ending isn’t a bad thing it’s just a difference and many version have the characters live. )

Gringoire is Clopin and Phoebus

Clopin with Puppet Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Clopin with Puppet Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Bruno Pelletier as Gringoire in Notre Dame de Paris picture image — Bruno Pelletier as Gringoire in Notre Dame de Paris

Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame sun god picture image apollo — Phoebus explaining his name Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Another minor difference is the lack of Gringoire.

Gringoire in the book was a cowardly poet who runs off with Djali. He also acts like a story teller and the voice of author. In Disney, Gringoire is divided between Clopin and Phoebus. It’s a minor difference because when it comes to cutting characters out Gringoire is seldom cut from other version. Phoebus is the one to get diminished over Gringoire.

More Thoughts plus I was Wrong*

Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda about to burn Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Esmeralda about to burn Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame cross eyes picture image — Phoebus cross-eyed Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

There is just so many differences between Disney and the book that to write these posts has been mind boggling. I could just have an entire blog about the differences and it would probably last a good long time.

Because let’s face Disney didn’t re-tell Hugo’s story they retold the 1939 version. Then they got 18 people to collaborate on the story who may not have even seen the Charles Laughton version or read the book. This is why Esmeralda is impressed with Quasimodo’s space and not with Phoebus’ name (in the book she loved his name,) why Quasimodo builds models instead ringing his bells, and why Frollo is more obsessed with fire than Esmeralda.

If you read the book and then watch the Disney you would know that this movie has very little in common with book. The only things that are correct are names and the settings*. That’s it but in regards to the setting Disney may have got the place right but Notre Dame role in this movie is very much twisted.

(*2026 – Again I was being harsh, no excuse the 2011 version of me, I’m remorse for my lack of inflexibility on book to movie adaptation decisions when I wrote I reviews this movie. The Disney version is a adaptation that is suitable for a general audience they had to make changes. However I do think the concept of three men’s different perspectives of one woman, which is the crux of the novel, is handle well by this movie. Possibly better than the 1939 version.)

1482 Hat
by Hunchstore

Next Time -Disney’s Norte Dame Prison or Sanctuary?

Notre Dame of Paris Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

11Sep 2011

The Music of the Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame – The Reprise of The Bells of Notre Dame

by Jessica

The Grand Finale

Quasimodo accepted by the people Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney picture image — Quasimodo accepted by the people Disney Hunchback of Notre dame

After Frollo dies, the hellish lava goes away and the masses are happy. This is when Quasimodo, the lovable abet not too conventionally attractive hero emerges from the darkness and silence of Notre Dame to be greeted with the acceptance of the people. Why is he now welcome? I think for saving Esmeralda and saying “No” to Frollo. It’s not for killing Frollo, Notre Dame and Frollo’s haste took care of that.

Clopin, Frollo Puppet, and Girl Bells of Notre dame reprise Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Clopin, Frollo Puppet, and Girl Bells of Notre dame reprise Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

So as Quasimodo is being cheered, Clopin reprises the “Bells of Notre Dame.” Just in case you’re a complete moron the movie clearly shows the audience who the Monster was, the Frollo puppet. To think this whole time I just thought it was Frollo, Twist ending here; it was the Puppet! The man was Quasimodo, no surprise there. I kid. I understand subtexts most of the time.

If you like “Bells of Notre Dame,” you’ll like the Reprise. It is sung well by Clopin (as to be expected now from Paul Kandal.) It’s a bit repetitive though, not sure how times the word “Bells” is uttered but it’s a lot. There also some new lyrics added;

“Whatever their pitch (Bells, bells)
You can feel them bewitch you (Bells, bells)
The rich and the ritual knells (Bells, bells, bells, bells)“

A Weird Twist? No but a Fun Musing Either Way

The True Villain, The Puppet Disney Hunchback of Notre dame picture image — The True Villain, The Puppet Disney Hunchback of Notre dame

Big Marie, The Lead Bell Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Big Marie, The Lead Bell Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

He saying that the Ringing Bells have an effect of people. So was it the bells that made Frollo crazy with lust? I mean it says the Bells bewitch. Quasimodo did ring the bells right before “Hellfire” and you only see him doing it once in the movie. So the Bells were the Frollo’s puppet accomplice. Of course, it all makes sense. The Puppet couldn’t stand that Frollo had all the power, so he harnessed the ancient Deus ex Machina power of the Bells to make Frollo crazy which would led to his death by Notre Dame, of course!

I figured you out, movie. This makes the Bells and the Frollo Puppet the heroes and villains. Touché Disney, I didn’t know you were so complicated. Truly this twist rivals M. Night Shyamalan. (2026 edit – I was being silly here, I think at least I hope I was being silly.)

A Finale to the Grand Finale

Gargoyles - Victor, Hugo and Laverne at the end Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Gargoyles – Victor, Hugo and Laverne at the end Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali, Esmeralda, and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Djali, Esmeralda, and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

On an unrelated note, the song is a good ending, you get a curtain call: Quasimodo is happy to be “Out There” “In the Sun” with the “Ordinary Men.” The Gargoyles are happy that the people now love “A guy like” Quasimodo. Esmeralda is happy because Notre Dame (Mary) “Helped the Outcasts”. Phoebus is happy because his ex boss is dead and he has a hot new girlfriend. Djali and Clopin are happy because the sanction of street performers had lifted with Frollo’s death and now they don’t have to pay the Busker Tax. The only person who isn’t happy in all this is the Old Heretic, he fell into a sewer and was never to heard from again. They say on quiet nights you can heard an old man saying “Dang it.”

The Old Heretic Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — The Old Heretic Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

On the Final Shot

Beauty and the Beast Ending Shot Stained Glass Disney picture image — Beauty and the Beast Ending Shot Stained Glass Disney

Genie page Peel, Final shot Aladdin Disney picture image — Genie page Peel, Final shot Aladdin Disney

Since the film ends with the same song as it began with, it’s only that it ends with a pull away though the sky above the Notre Dame. It’s appropriate yet a little cheesy but it’s better that ending on a stain glass window that show all the main characters, a la Beauty and the Beast or a stupid page peel by the Genie in Aladdin. Though it would be funny to have the Genie pop up in random Disney Movies saying “made you look” at the end. (2026 edit- I do not stand behind this take anymore. I’m not sure what I was thinking siting the Stained Glass ending. The fourth wall break from the Genie I didn’t love that as a kid as it took me out of the impact of the story but I don’t it’s “stupid.” The 2011 version of me had some hot takes.)

Team Quaismodo
by Hunchstore

Next Time – Someday, the Credit song and Delated Song.

A Picture from the demo reel of Someday Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame image

01Sep 2011

Some additional observations from God Help the Outcast

by Jessica

So as I was working on my “God Help the Outcast” I noticed things that didn’t fit into song content so I’m posting them now. (Beware I run off on a bit of a tangent)

Quasimodo listening to Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Quasimodo listening to Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

I once again suspect that the Disney Production team didn’t read the book (well maybe a few did), I say this because in the book Quasimodo is deaf but here in the Disney movie Quasimodo has such a amazing hearing. He can hear a soft ballad in the sanctuary all the way in the bell tower. I don’t think it was necessary to have Quasimodo listening in on Esmeralda. They did it to include Quasimodo since he had not been in the movie for 5 whole minutes.

Quasimodo watching to Esmeralda during God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Quasimodo watching to Esmeralda during God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

I mean it also worked to get Esmeralda and Quasimodo to reunite and to give them a chance to bond but they couldn’t have thought up another way.

Frollo's Female Doppelganger singing a line in God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Frollo’s Female Doppelganger singing a line in God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Lady who asks for love. Frollo’s twin sister? Could be. Frollo has no back story so he could have a sister. My guess is since they look so much a like and look to be the some age, they’re twins.

Disney Frollo Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Judge Claude Frollo

What else is Frollo hiding in his past? I want back stories, Disney. It’s interesting to learn what pushes a character to doing less than wholesome things. Like;

Ursula Disney The Little Mermaid picture image — Ursula Disney The Little Mermaid

Why was Ursula exiled? Many speculate that Ursula is Triton’s sister but maybe Triton pulled a coup d’état and stole the kingdom from the octopus people. That makes sense but it would make Triton look bad. Really Disney don’t say that Ursula once lived in the palace and was exiled if your not going to into why she was exiled.

Gaston Disney Beauty and the Beast picture image — Gaston Disney Beauty and the Beast

Why did Gaston like Belle? I mean sure she’s pretty and Gaston is a shallow idiot but she didn’t feed his ego and that’s what he needs. He is governed by outward appearances, but where did this superficiality come from? His upbringing?

Jafar Disney Aladdin picture image — Jafar Disney Aladdin

Why was Jafar so stupid? He sent years searching for the Cave of Wonders so he could get the lamp so he get three wishes and the when that plans fails his bird tells him to marry the princess. However, Jafar had military control over the city-state and a mind control ring. My goodness, is Jafar one stupid idiot, it would have taken his less time and energy to pull a coup d’état and I’m sure the people of Agrabah wouldn’t have notice a shift in power. The Sultan seems more interested in toys than his people. My guess is Jafar was drop repeatedly as a baby and that him more than a little dense.

Frollo Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney picture image — Frollo Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney

But Frollo had a job, control and perhaps an deep emotional connection with a women who prays for love. I have to wonder if Frollo is so tightly wound and his sister wants love, what was their family dynamic like growing up? Assuming that she is his sister, but she looks too much like Frollo for it be coincidental where as the rest of crowds look generic.

Who do you think that lady in Notre Dame is? Think she could be important or just some extra that looks like Frollo and nothing more? Opinions, Thoughts, Anything!

Team Frollo
by Hunchstore

05Aug 2011

Let’s get Superficial The looks of Clopin Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

by Jessica

I’ve already mention Clopin’s over all look in his character analysis, So to Recap

“Clopin has looks very similar to Kuzco from the Emperor’s New Groove. Has a long pointy long face, straight long black hair, pointy nose, and thin. Clopin is older and has a few age lines, balding (a little bit) a beard, bushy eye brows and some missing teeth. Clopin gets two costumes, a performance look and a casual look. Unlike Esmeralda he is seen more in this performance outfit. It Harlequin that is purple and yellow with bells on his neck piece, a purple mask, and long back gloves. He has wears a purple hat with a big yellow feather. The hat is akin to the one that Thomas Mitchell wore in the 1939 version. Clopin casual costume looks similar to this performance garb but it all purple and less festive. He also wears the same hat. Like Esmeralda and Djali, Clopin also wears a single golden hoop earring. He cosplays (costume play) as Frollo. He also makes awesome expressions.”

Clopin noticing Quasimodo during the Feast of Fools Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Clopin noticing Quasimodo during the Feast of Fools Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Kuzco The Emperor's new Groove Disney picture image — Kuzco from The Emperor’s new Groove Disney

Clopin Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Clopin Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Clopin’s look is kinda a model look of certain Disney characters. Much like how Disney villains can fall into two basic groups, thin and big, the good guys have their models too. For instance the fathers in Disney movies are usually dumpy old men.

Lumiere and Babette Disney Beauty and the Beast picture image — Lumiere and Babette Disney Beauty and the Beast

Clopin at the end Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Clopin at the end Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The point I’m getting at is Clopin is reminiscent to the look of other characters like him; the larger-than life sidekick.

Typically this character is not human, Sebastian, Lumiere ( through is human spends the bulk of the movie as a candlestick), Genie, Timon, Mushu etc, etc . However take a look at Lumiere as human, and you can see the resembles to Clopin. Lumiere has a long face, pointy nose, and thin. Of course Clopin is a little more rough around the edges but Lumiere works in a castle and Clopin is a busker.

But they are both entertainer, what was Lumiere’s job exactly?

Clopin with Frollo Puppet Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Clopin with Frollo Puppet Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

One could say that Kuzco as man character doesn’t fall into this category and Clopin similarity to Lumiere is a coincidence. I would point out that Kuzco is pretty over the top and spend most of his time as Llama so I think he can fit into the category and he a slight exception.

Clopin Disney Hunchback Notre Dame picture image — Clopin Disney Hunchback Notre Dame

So Clopin’s look follows a grand tradition of Disney character design which places character into conventional models which aids them in their quest for more money, by making the same old stuff. Actually Disney can you go back to the same old stuff, I miss it.

Concept Art of Clopin Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Concept Art of Clopin Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

And for no reason Clopin’s Concept Art.

1482 Hat
by Hunchstore

Next Time – I suppose logically it would be the Gargoyles (Shudders)

Victor, Hugo and Laverne singing A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre dame picture image

27Jun 2011

Deeper look at the Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame Characters part 7: Animals – Achilles

by Jessica

Next – Achilles

Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

So where the Gargoyles fail to add levity, Djali and Achilles succeeded and they don’t even speak. Let’s start with Achilles. Why? Because we see Achilles first, his name is comes first and there less to say about him

Achilles is Phoebus‘ war horse. According to the DVD commentary, the directors jokingly said that Achilles is Phillippe’s (Beauty and the Beast) dimwitted cousin. Both Disney horses were animated by Russ Edmonds.

Phillippe from Beauty and the Beast Disney picture image — Phillippe from Beauty and the Beast Disney

A War Horse

Achilles and Phoebus Sit command Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Sit command Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Achilles Sitting Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Sit command Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Achilles being a war horse takes excellent direction, he sits on command regardless of who he might sit on. But fear not Achilles never crushes anyone to death, just for comedy.

Achilles the Set up Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Achilles the Set up Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Achilles' Butt Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Achilles’ Butt Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Achilles is mostly white and he adds to Phoebus’ perfect knightly look, but he also has grey legs, snout, mane and tail. Mmmm his look is awfully similar to another character.

Achilles and Snowball Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Achilles and Snowball Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

One thing that is not commonly know about Achilles is that he hates Frollo’s horse, Snowball (not sure if it Snowball 1 or 2).

Achilles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Achilles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The command regarding Achilles to sit, according to the commentary was the big laugh during the trailers. Achilles may not have done much and may have been relegate to an accessory but he almost as much laughs than the supposed comic relief even with his limited screen time. If wasn’t for the Gargoyles’ dress/tress line I think the Sit gag would have been the big laugh of the film and that’s only because grown-up heard tress and kids heard dress, so it’s two jokes.