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Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Phoebus asking for Esmeralda’s name Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Phoebus is the dashing and handsome captain of the guard. Due to this namesake, Phoebus (Apollo) he has a very yellow look, gold armor, blond hair and a beard. He has a bit of a Roman look. His beard, with cape his hair style, aquiline nose are all more Roman than late medieval. Oddly enough, Phoebus’ only describe featured in the book is his mustache which is in the “Burgundian Style.”  Phoebus is first Disney guy to get facial hair, so kudos to Disney for at least taking something from the book as a basis. Well one could argue that in the 23 version and the 39 version Phoebus had a mustache, so who knows what Disney was going off of, besides the production crew. At least they went there and gave him some form of facial hair The important this is that Phoebus  should be handsome, he can be a jerk, a hero or a gloried extra but he must be a pretty boy, and Disney at least did that.

Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Disney Phoebus Hunchback of Notre Dame
Disney Phoebus Hunchback of Notre Dame
Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Phoebus  concept art isn’t much different than how he appears in the movie. However he looks like John Smith from Pocahontas. For More Concept Art of Hunchback

Concept Art of Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Concept Art of Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Concept Art of Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Concept Art of Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Concept Art of Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Concept Art of Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
John Smith Disney Pocahontas picture image
John Smith Disney Pocahontas

I mean, It’s John Smith with a beard.

Disney Phoebus Hunchback of Notre Dame armor picture image
Phoebus’ armor Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Phoebus wears the most useless armor ever, honestly I don’t know why he bothers with it, maybe the gold makes him feels special or pretty but clearly it’s just for show. Djali hits him in the gut and inflicts some pain but  when a candelabra hits him the face he shakes it off. He gets shot with an arrow through back (and yet it almost got his heart) and he nearly drowns in it.  Frankly he’s better off without it.

Djali in gut Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali in gut Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image after getting hit by Djali
Phoebus after getting hit by Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image hit in the face by Esmeralda
Phoebus being hit by Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Disney Phoebus Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image hit by arrow
Phoebus being hit by an arrow Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Phoebus’ look is pretty generic  looking considering the rest of the characters. He’s conventially  handsome with a slight roman look mix with a little John Smith through for good measure.  The result is a tad on the boring which is why his look didn’t change much from the concept art.

Phoebus noticing Esmeralda "Disgusting Display" Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Phoebus noticing Esmeralda’s “Disgusting Display”
Phoebus and the Map Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Phoebus and the Map Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre dame picture image
Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Next Time – Clopin

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

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Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda is the most divergent character in the Disney version from the book in both looks and personality. I already talked about her personality, now let’s look at her looks.

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Disney Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame dancing

The Disney Esmeralda looks 100%  a traveler*.  She has a darker complexion, dark hair, and light green eyes (with no glint). Her eyes also do not change color pending on how much light is in the space, which kind of makes them look witchy.  She keeps her hair pulled back which it creates volume. This bigger hair makes her look older. When her hair is down she looks younger. Her hair also has a slight curl. Though in the middle of the epic running away from Frollo, her hair looks straight but that could just  be inconsistencies in animation or the wind, take your pick. But it does look straight. However it also fair to point out that this voluminous hairstyle was on trend in the late 90s. 

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Esmeralda complimenting Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Her age is very vague. Most of the Disney characters have a rough age range or they just say how old they are like Ariel and Jasmine. With this shift in Disney heroines being somewhat more independent and less dreamy, they appear to be older than the typical “Disney princess” (except Tiana, I would say she is like a compromise between the archetypal Princess and the confident independent heroine of the late 90s).

The question is how old is Disney’s Esmeralda? With the age inflation that Disney implements, I’d say she most likely 22 at the youngest, which is “old” for a Disney heroine. The long and short of it is, Esmeralda is meant to be older like “she’s been around.” This is not my phasing, watch the commentary, it’s the scene where Esmeralda is helping Quasimodo from the pillory. To listen to the commentary, The DVD.

One reason why this version made her older could have been to help establish her relationship with Quasimodo as more maternal, more like a big sister than romantic. This could have made her pairing with Phoebus appear more palatable for the audience, though given a lot of bad-faith internet discourse it didn’t really work that way.  

19th Century Illustration of Esmeralda with Djali
19th Century Illustration of Esmeralda with Djali
Disney Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame Dance picture Image
Esmeralda’s Dance Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Against the original novel by Victor Hugo, Esmeralda’s looks are very different. Esmeralda is never described in graphic detail but she’s described as very beautiful frequently by many characters. Disney Esmeralda is meant to be beautiful certainly but she is never called beautiful in the movie. The closest mention to her looks is Clopin saying she’s “The Finest Girl is France.”

Esmeralda Illustration Image picture
19th century Illustration of Esmeralda
Disney Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame Dance picture image
Esmeralda’s Dance Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda in the book is not genetically a full traveler*. Her mother is a French women and while her Father could have been a traveler, it is never actually mentioned who was her father.

Esmeralda has a golden skin tone, black hair and black eyes. Part of Esmeralda’s charm in the book is her innocence and her total unawareness of her own beauty. Disney’s Esmeralda is the complete and utter opposite; she knows her appeal, exploits it and given that quote by the director Kirk Wise that I mention earlier, I’m not sure how innocent is in the movie.  So it safe to say that Disney did not use Hugo for even  a basis of Esmeralda’s design.

Concept Art for Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre dame picture image
Concept Art for Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Concept Art for Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Concept Art for Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Concept Art for Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Concept Art for Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Looking at the concept art, Esmeralda started off looking more youthful and somehow along the way she lost the youthful look. My guess the vocal inspiration turned the tables on the character design. Alas Demi’s Moore doesn’t sound youthful, at least not when the film was recording the voices. For More Concept Art of Hunchback

Esmeralda and Frollo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Esmeralda giving Frollo a peck on the nose Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

It’s actually not Disney’s fault that Esmeralda’s looks/acts sexy whereas Hugo’s Esmeralda did not. The fault lies in the film history of Hunchback movies.

Esmeralda has long been depicted as sexy or at least no stranger to feminine charms. Esmeralda has also been depicted by actresses who are more known for their sex appeal. Such actresses have been Stacia Napierkowska, Theda Bara, Gina Lollobrigida and Salma Hayak. Also Disney models their characters after the voice actor playing them, so with the choice of Demi Moore it was inevitable that Disney Esmeralda was going to be sexy and follow the line of sexy Esmeraldas.

In a featurette of the movie, Moore said she could see herself in Esmeralda’s animation. While Disney took their cues from the 1939 version, I think Esmeralda’s look was based somewhat on Gina Lollobrigida’s Esmeralda  as well as Demi Moore (maybe, I can’t really tell, I haven’t seen a ton of Moore’s films discern her mannerism and/or acting style in Esmeralda’s animation.)

Demi Moore image picture
Demi Moore
Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image red dress
Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Gina Lollobrigida as Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame 1956 image picture
Gina Lollobrigida as Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame 1956

*Since 2021 the blog has been using the words Travelers or Nomads to convey the group of people that Esmeralda is associated with while trying to be respectful. You can read that post here. I do tend to favor the travelers usage.

Next Time Phoebus

Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

Quasimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney picture image

Quasimodo’s Reveal

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In an effort to get the audience of Quasimodo’s side, Directors Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale gave Quasimodo a gentle disposition made compete with a kind look. He has big, friendly doe eyes, a full head of red 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). I mean for Disney he’s ugly but for Quasimodo he’s adorable. I think Disney was afraid of making Quasimodo too ugly and risk scaring people off of seeing the movie.

Quasimodo gazing at Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney  picture image

Quasimodo gazing at Esmeralda

Quasimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney picture image

Quasimodo

Esmeralda, Phoebus, and Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo accepts Esmeralda and Phoebus as a couple Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

It’s also interesting to mention (and I’ll be mentioning this again) that for many characters in the movie there is not glint in the eyes. Many of the characters their eyes are just small black pupils, exception would be Esmeralda who has green irises, black pupils, and no glint. Quasimodo is one of the few who does has a sparkle in the eyes (other are Djali (though inconsistent) and the little girl who gave Quasimodo a hug, who doesn’t have it till the final even though you see her at the beginning.) Maybe this glint is indicative of innocence, an inconsistencies, or playing favorites? I dunno. I can understand why Quasimodo would have it but for Djali and little girl (only at the end) to have it and no one else, I sense a deeper reasoning here. I’m going with innocence.

Quasimodo shine in the eye Disney Hunchback of Notre dame picture image

Quasimodo shine in the eye Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Little Girl Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

The Little Girl Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

So how does Disney Quasimodo compare with book Quasimodo?

Oh not at all. I said Quasimodo is adorable here. In the book he is not, not at all. Quasimodo is described by Victor Hugo as having a horse-shoe mouth, a small left eye with bushy red eyebrow, a right eye that’s completely hidden by a monstrous wart, uneven broken teeth with gaps that project out like tusks, callous lips, and forked chin. He was also described ” a giant who had been broken and badly put together again.  Disney’s Quasimodo looks like to extent but everything about is soft and round. His mouth is normal. His eyes are both visible despite the protrusion, His hair isn’t bushy in the slightest, it’s smooth and straight and he eyebrows are slightly think but not bushy.  His teeth are uneven but not like tucks. He doesn’t have callous lip  or a forked chin (he hardy has either).

Quasimodo Illustrtion Francois flameng picture image

Illustration of Quasimodo

Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Same character and yet no comparison.

In the concept art for Quasimodo ranges all other the place. Sometime he look scary (the way he should look) and sometimes  almost handsome ( he just needs a haircut, and eyebrow plucking). For More Concept Art of Hunchback

Quasimodo Concept Art Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame  picture image

A Monstrous version of Quasimodo Concept Art Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Quasimodo  Concept Art Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame  picture image

The closest to movie version Quasimodo Concept Art Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Quasimodo  Concept Art Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Jockish looking Quasimodo Concept Art Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Quasimodo in the scope of things is just deformed, not ugly. There are ugly people in the crowds in the movie and they don’t have the crutch of deformties for an excuse.  I mean Frollo is no looker himself.

Next Character up – Frollo

Frollo Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney picture image

Frollo Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney


So I found this video a while ago. It a video of the Hunchback of Notre Dame to “why is the Rum gone”. There two videos like this on youtube but I find this video more fun, plus  ye olde heretic is in this one ^_~ so I thought I’d share

video starts at 0:20 Enjoy

The Old Heretic Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Old Heretic Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame


So a little bit more on Achilles and Djali— yeah there is more, go fig….

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Djali and Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

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 picture image

Djali and Achilles Same look Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Achilles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

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 picture image

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 Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney picture image

Archdeacon Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

 

 

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali about to enjoy a feast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

If Achilles gets one of the most concentrated  laughs in the movie, then Djali gets more laughs spread out through the movie. Djali is a mascot type of character for the film like other cute animal Disney side-kicks. The up side is that Djali was not created for the film but came out the source material.

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali is Esmeralda’s pet goat. Djali helps her make money and reminds of her not to leave money when she about to run off.

Part of Djali’s function is to be Esmeralda’s double. In the book this meant that Djali was dainty, pretty, and talented with gilded hooves and horn and was white.

Djali flips Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali flips Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

In the Disney movie  Djali is grayish white with black hooves and an earring. The earring is meant to link Djali and Esmeralda. Like the book, I think Disney’s Djali is also a double for Esmeralda. In DVD commentary, they discussed that the reason why they cast Demi Moore as Esmeralda is because they wanted the heroine to have a rougher quality to the the voice, that sounded like (and I’m quoting this from commentary, I’m not making this up) like “she had been around.” Not saying that I think Djali has been “around” but Djali is not the dainty, delicate goat she is in the book. So I think Disney’s version fits Esmeralda’s aesthetic more in this movie.

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali also has another functions than being Esmeralda’s better half. Djali is her security system.

Djali is distrustful of anyone Esmeralda meets (Phoebus and Quasimodo included). Djali also bleats when someone  is approaching them (Frollo or guards).

DJali as a old man Dinsey Hunchback of Notre dame picture image
DJali as a old man Dinsey Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali also aids Esmeralda in her old beggar disguise. This enables her to go undetected by Frollo and the stupid guards .

Djali in gut Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali in gut Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali also kicks ass in a fight. More than a few times Djali springs into action

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

So what makes Djali a great character? Djali provides levity without hindering the movie (like Achilles). Djali reacts to things in the movie and does not inject the movie with randomness to try to make a joke like the Gargoyles.

Another aspect of Djali that is charming which is a good attribute for a mascot character. All of Djali emotions and thoughts are always showed on  his (her) face.

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali’s reaction to Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali reactiom to Phoebus’ name Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali glaring at Esmeralda for falling for Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali started off in the Disney movie as a minor character but do to the animation done by Ron Husband (Commentary, got love them) the executives demanded more Djali and so the screen time was double.

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali isn’t a fan of heights Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali didn’t enjoy the ride Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali is called a “him” throughout the movie and Hugo has a thing for Djali  (Hugo being gay is a sensitive issue with Disney). My guess is this is a case of male pronoun default. Djali’s sex mattered in the book because Hugo(the author) wanted to communicate that Djali is Esmeralda’s double, so Djali is a female goat. In the Disney’s version, it doesn’t really matter so the default male pronouns are used. (Remember this movie came out in 1996)

Next time – a little bit more on Achilles and Djali (there is something more alike about these two)

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali and Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Next – Achilles and Djali

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 and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

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.

 

Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Achilles with Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Phillippe from Beauty and the Beast Disney  picture image

Phillippe from Beauty and the Beast Disney

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 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

Achilles Sitting Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

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 Sitting Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame  picture image

Achilles Sitting Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

Achilles is mosly 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.

Frollo's nose is long and he wears a tress/dress Disney Hunhcback of Notre Dame picture image

Frollo's nose is long and he wears a tress/dress Disney Hunhcback of Notre Dame

 

Achilles Heeling Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Achilles Heeling Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

Fun Fact- Achilles name was chosen just so they good do the “Achilles Heel” joke.

 

 

 

Next Time Djali -Hooray

Disney Djali from Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Disney Djali from Hunchback of Notre Dame


Hey Hunchback fans, I’m working on the next character review (except it soon ^^) but I have made more Squidoo lenses on Hunchback (hooray). I  have lenses on art, music, and a personality quiz ^^. So yeah,  check them out ^^

Esmeralda played by Helene Segara Notre dame de Paris

Esmeralda played by Helene Segara Notre dame de Paris

http://www.squidoo.com/top-10-songs-of-notre-dame-de-paris

A top Ten of the Best Songs from Notre Dame de Paris ( a French Musical based on the book)

 

 

 

Auguste Couder's Painting of Frollo stabbing Phoebus
Auguste Couder’s Painting of Frollo stabbing Phoebus

 

http://www.squidoo.com/hunchback-art

This lens showcases Paintings inspired by The Hunhcback of Notre Dame

 

 

 

19th Century Illustration of Esmeralda with Djali

19th Century Illustration of Esmeralda with Djali

http://www.squidoo.com/hunchback-illustration

This lens showcases Illustrations from The Hunhcback of Notre Dame. Oh Boy is there a lot!

 

 

 

Hippolyte Francois Moreau Sculpture of Esmeralda

Hippolyte Francois Moreau Sculpture of Esmeralda

http://www.squidoo.com/hunchback-of-notre-dame-sculpture

This lens showcases Sculpture inspired by The Hunhcback of Notre Dame.

 

 

 

Disney Djali eating wooden a figurine

Disney Djali eating wooden a figurine

http://www.squidoo.com/hunchback-of-notre-dame-personally-quiz

This lens is a personality quiz (excuse the typo, I’m not good at spelling…). It’s like a cosmo quiz with adding up letters. Originally this Quiz was made for Facebook but I reworked it to be a fun little on Squidoo. Of Course you can find it on Facebook if you want but do tell me who you get ^^.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disney Hunchback of Notre dame Soundtrack
Disney Hunchback of Notre dame Soundtrack

http://www.squidoo.com/disney-hunchback-of-notre-dame-soundtrack

It’s a soundtrack lens. With Lyrics, facts and fun pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t forget – Be sure to drop me a line if you like my squidoo lenses or if you have any ideas for future lens  or anything else you wish to say. I love legit comments ^^

Next Character: Esmeralda; The Heroine

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Disney Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame dancing

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda is a gypsy dancer who is the subject of the three male main characters’ affections. She’s very beautiful and sensual. In this version Esmeralda is 100% Romani. She has a dark complexion (darker than Jasmine), thick black hair and emerald green eyes (attributive to her name). She wears a white chemise blouse that off shoulder, a blue corset with thin gold stripes, a purple skirt with a darker purple kercheif

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame red dress image picture

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame Dancing

worn at the hip with coin trim. She wears some gold jewelry; bracelets, an anklet and one gold hoop. She were a pink scarf in her hair to keep her hair back. She has a second outfit, that is used as an formal dance costume. It’s red with purple flutter sleeves and a purple sash at the waist. In addition to her normal jewelry she where a bindi and a crown.

 

 

Esmeralda and Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda helping Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda and Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda and Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda is a very different type of Disney Heroine, she’s  mature and not a dreaming of new life. She deals with her lot in life and gets by the best she can. To make a income she dances.She also dabbles in fortune telling. She is also in the company or her goat Djali. Djali acts are her security system, warning her of danger and trying to protect her from would be harm. In the Disney version, Djali doesn’t get her into in trouble like in book. Infact Djali helps her get out of trouble by helping her deguise as an old begger man.

 

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda demanding Justice Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda’s main motivation is social justice for mainly her own people but also for those on the outskirts of the social order (i.e. Quasimodo). It’s in this way she is the opposition of Frollo and she hates  him and defies him every chance she gets. Prior to her defiance she teased/mocked him with her flirtatious dancing during the festival of fools.  She also wary of those in power positions. That’s why she didn’t take a shining to Phoebus at first, but his persistent charm and wit won her over (plus saving an innocent family that almost cost him his life didn’t hurt much either).

 

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda dealing with soldiers Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda and Frollo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame red dress picture image costume

Esmeralda mocks Frollo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda and Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda defying Frollo by helping Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Esmeralda and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Speaking of Phoebus and Esmeralda here is a little point I would like to make. A few people feel that it was shallow of Esmeralda to choose Phoebus over Quasimodo. In movies, couples are usually established early, you can usually tell whose going to end up together. As a I mention in another post Esmeralda and Phoebus only have one scene without either Frollo or Quasimodo and that is where they are both introduced, meaning that their relationship was established before either of them met Frollo or Quasimodo. Also I can’t see Esmeralda and Quaismodo being anything but friends. She treats Quasimodo with kindness and politeness  and comes off like an older family member; she really does treat him with kid gloves. There is no  passion unlike  Esmeralda and Phoebus. The creators wanted a romance  between Esmeralda and Phoebus and  that what the movie worked towards.

Esmeralda, Phoebus, and Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo accepts Esmeralda and Phoebus as a couple Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

 

 

Esmeralda and Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda and Djali having a little fun Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

As far of Esmeralda’s personality, she’s kind, she has a dry wit and she’s loyal to her friends. She is  very resourceful, for example Phoebus owns his life to her make-shift sling shot that saved him from decapitation. She also has a bit of mischievous streak. During the chase after she frees Quasimodo she looks like she is legitimately having fun avoiding arrest while raising some hell.  She also uses her feminine charms to get what she wants. She uses it to earn money from dancing but she also gives Quasimodo a peak on the check to get him to allow her to visit him. She is very physically fit; she dances, very agile in a fight (or chase), she can swim underwater, hold her breath long enough to get Phoebus out of his armor and pull up in record time. She also has seems to have some sway in the Court of Miracles as she can stop executions

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda exerting some power Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

and order the people to leave. She also can seem to refer people to the Court, not sure if that map/cryptic instructions she gave Quasimodo are standrad issue in the Court of  Miracles or if she is some high rank there. Not only that but the other Gypsies wouldn’t devalue her location, meaning either they’re loyal to their fellow gypsies or she is respected. She also seems to have a close relationship to Clopin who like in the book is leader in the Court of Miracles. She performs with him and he not put off with her meddling in the hanging of Quaismodo and Phoebus, which Clopin seem to be enjoying. It seems to me that she must hold some power amongst her people or the Court of Miracle is egalitarian.

 

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame singing "God Help the Outcast" picture image

Esmeralda singing “God Help the Outcast” Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda is not a dynamic character. She remains  consistent throughout the movie; she’s mature, self-confident and kind at the beginning and she remains that way thoughout the end. The only aspect about that changes is her feelings towards Phoebus. In defense of static characters, Esmeralda is not a dynamic character in the book either and Disney doesn’t do dynamic characters very often.

 

 

 

Esmeralda and Frollo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame grope picture image

Frollo gropes Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda avoiding Frollo’s hunt Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda and Frollo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Frollo arresting Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

 

 

 

 

 

Esmeralda is not a typical heroine, the scarps she gets into are serious. She’s almost arrested, assaulted in a church, threaten, hunted down by a control-freak mad man, almost burned, nearly dies of asphyxiation and then chased with a six foot sword a top a massive edifice. Makes other Disney heroine’s tribulations look like a child’s play. All she really did to get into all that trouble was being a Gypsy and a defing a powerful public offical; she stayed in trouble because of her beauty and sex appeal.

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image stake

Esmeralda on the stake Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda and Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo thinking Esmeralda has died Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda and Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre dame picture image

Esmeralda and Quasimodo being threaten Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre dame picture image

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre dame

I admit it was refreshing to see a different type of heroine when I first saw the movie in 1996 and it’s great that  Disney ventured outside the profitable typical Disney heroine. If Hunchback had come out before this shift in heroine  Esmeralda could have easily fit into the Disney princess line. Now if your thinking “Esmeralda’s not a princess” well I would say neither is Mulan but let me explain some minor points. The Disney Princess brand isn’t actually about the characters being princesses  it’s about how their movies did with girls in a certain age demographics, hence why Esmeralda isn’t in the line up already.  But if Esmeralda behaved more like Ariel, Belle, or Jasmine (dreamer wanting more) she may have done better with young girls, though it’s hard to say. I suppose the creators thought Quasimodo fit  dreamer model better than Esmeralda and she would do better as an agent of Quasimodo’s liberation from being a focused shut-in. But another point worth mentioning is Esmeralda in the book fits the Disney princess mold very well and she was very well regarded in the Court of Miracles. So making like a princess wouldn’t have been a stretch and she does dream of a different life with regards to Phoebus. I wonder if Disney regrets this since the Disney Princess line was establish in 2001.

Esmeralda, Quasimodo and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre dame picture image

Esmeralda, Quasimodo and Phoebus leaving Notre Dame

 

 

Next Character –Phoebus

Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre dame picture image

Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame


Today is Quasimodo Sunday ( Low Sunday… First Sunday after Easter)

So since Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame is character driven let’s look at the main characters.

Quasimodo Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame  picture image

Quasimodo

First let’s start with the titular character Quasimodo (Tom Hulce). Quasimodo is depicted as caring, gentle, kind, shy and dreaming of something beyond his sheltered life (classic Disney Princess erm hero). At first all he wants is to spend one day among the people of Paris and sings about it ala Part of that World type song. When someone shows him kindness he answerx with loyalty. He does has a bit of an emo-side. Later in the film he hopes for love but that doesn’t come to fruition but he is happy that Phoebus and Esmeralda have each other and that is enough for him at the end of the film.

 

Judge Claude Frollo Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame  picture image

Judge Claude Frollo

The next important character is Frollo (Tony Jay). Frollo is a hypocritical judge who HATES gypsies, He regards them as the reason why Paris is going to hell in hand-basket. He sees no harm in killing people especially ugly babies if he views in the best interest of “justice”. He also has a pious streak, which he quite proud of.  During the course of the movie he develops an unhealthy obsession with Esmeralda where he uses tons of public funds to barrack her in Notre Dame and when she escapes he set Paris ablaze and then blames it other people because hey he just doing his job (it’s a good thing King Louis IX is not a main character or somebody would have been fired).

 

Esmeralda Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame  picture image

Esmeralda

Djali Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame  picture image

Djali

Esmeralda (Demi Moore), the beautiful Gypsy dancer, who is often referred to as girl but she comes off as older than Quasimodo who is 20. She is kind and has a fierce sense of justice and loyalty. She knows a wide assortment of parlor tricks that she can use in a pinch. She also can read palms though she is is a dancer by trade. Esmeralda is always accompanied by her pet Goat Djali. Djali turn offs include heights, ugly faces and hangings. Turn ons include dancing, money, and eating wood cravings.

 

 

Phoebus and Achilles Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame  picture image

Phoebus and Achilles

Phoebus (Kevin Kline), another attractive character, Phoebus has been called back from the wars by Frollo to protect Paris from the Gypsies; an assignment he takes with major annoyance and a grain of salt. He has a dry wit and is a flirt but he also has a high sense of morality and won’t kill people just because crazy old Frollo says so. He also has a horse named Achilles who enjoys heeling and sitting on people he doesn’t care for.

 

Clopin Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame  picture image

Clopin

Clopin (Paul Kandal) , the leader of the Court of Miracle and the story teller. He is an extrovert who loves to have a good time whether it’s entertaining small children, all of Paris at the festival of fools  or hanging trespassers. Where Clopin is the party is.

 

Hugo Laverne, Victor Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame  picture image

Hugo Laverne, Victor

Gargoyles, the comic relief characters Victor (Charles Kimbrough), Hugo (Jason Alexander) and Laverne (Mary Wickes/Jane Withers). The three only come to life for Quasimodo and once for Djali. They have their distinctive personality, Victor is prim and calm, Hugo is loud and fun loving, and Laverne is old and tells it like it is. There loyal to their pal Quasimodo and to encourage him to follow his heart. But they’re annoying as all hell.

 

Archdeacon Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame  picture image

Archdeacon

Archdeacon (David Ogden Stiers), the kind, caring, gentle, wise Archdeacon of Notre Dame. As Archdeacon he has some authority over Frollo and Frollo while not happy is at least compliant. He the one who guilts or rather scares into taking care of Quasimodo.

 

Next Time more on the more characters of Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame