Tag Archives: Hunchback

For the most part the Jetlag Version follows the book pretty well but a few things have been change so that it has a happy-child-friendly ending.

 

The movie opens with Quasimodo being left at Notre Dame by his young widow mother and Frollo adopting him. They then explain some basic details of Quasimodo by way of narration. Like Quasimodo lives in Notre Dame, he loves the bells and he is deaf. He the subject of ridicule and fascination among the common people, who in this tend to gawk at Quasimodo while he rings the bells.

 

The film then moves into the Feast of Fools where we meet Gringoire who is trying to get his play some viewers but the crowd in more interested in the Pope of Fool contest. After Quasimodo is crowned the Pope of Fools we meet Esmeralda, who charms the masses with her dancing. As she dances she captures the attentions of Gringoire and Frollo. Esmeralda then showcases Djali time telling trick. As Djali finishes the trick the procession of the Pope of Fool comes by and Frollo reprimands Quasimodo for his blasphemy. Quasimodo not recognizing his master attacks but after Frollo is revealed Quasimodo begs forgiveness.

 

As the Festival ends Esmeralda walks home. Gringoire follows her and so does Frollo and Quasimodo. They attempt to kidnap her. Gringoire tries to help but fails. As Esmeralda screams Phoebus and his guard come and arrests Quasimodo.

 

After that Gringoire is bought before the Duke of Egypt. Since Gringoire is an outsider he must pass a test so that he can join the Gypsies or  he will die. He has to steal the purse from a dummy with bells attach to it while walking a plank standing on one leg. However he fails but instead of dying he put up for marriage. Esmeralda accepts him but only to save him.

 

Quasimodo then stands trial. His judge is deaf so Quasimodo is unfairly sentenced to be kept in the stocks for an extra hour. As Quasimodo is punished he ask for water but the crown throws rocks at him. Esmeralda takes pity on him and gives him water and he weeps.

 

The following day, Esmeralda  dances while Gringoire balances a chair with a cat on it on his nose.  As they perform Quasimodo looks down from a top the Cathedral and watches Esmeralda. Also watching is a nobel women, Fleur de Lys,who is Phoebus’ fiancee.  Esmeralda notices Phoebus and show them that Djali can spell his name. Fleur de Lys finds this charming and wants to meet Esmeralda but Phobus dismisses the request and calls Esmeralda ordinary.

 

As Esmeralda walk off dejected, Frollo appears and speaks to Gringoire. Frollo wants to know  why he is dressed the way he is. Gringoire tells him that he is married to Esmeralda in name only and a member of the Gypsies.

 

That night Frollo torments himself with thoughts of Esmeralda.  He then see her outside and follows her.  He follows her to the docks where she is meets Phoebus. She tells Phoebus that she has dreamed of a knight that would save her and she loves him. Phoebus tells her that he loves her too.  As they embrace Frollo stabs Phobus.  Esmeralda tells Frollo to kill her too but he walk alway and leaves her to take the blame.

 

The narration then tells us that Esmerlada has a brief trial and confessed to stabbing Phobus to death and witchcraft and for this she is sentence to death. We are then told she did that after days questioning without food or water. As she is lead to gallows she sees Phoebus. Fleur de Lys asks why the sight of Esmeralda seems to trouble him but he tells her he is fine. Fleur de Lys then asks if he loves her which say that she is the only one he has ever loved. Esmeralda hearing this cries.

 

Quasimodo then sweeps done, grabs Esmeralda and runs into Notre Dame and claims Sanctuary for her.

 

Quasimodo takes care of Esmeralda in Notre Dame. He provides her with a bed and food. Esmeralda wants to see Quasimodo in the light but Quasimodo refuses to have her look at him. He then tells her not to leave the cathedral or they will kill her and that would kill him.

 

The next day Esmeralda gets a knock on the door and thinks it’s Quasimodo but it’s Frollo. Frollo tells her of his romantic obsession.  Esmeralda recognizes him as the one who stabbed Phoebus and threaten to tell on him. Frollo tells her to go ahead as no one will believe her. She tells Quasimodo but he doesn’t want to believe that his master would do such a thing.

 

Frollo  finds Gringoire and tells him that Esmeralda can not stay in Notre Dame indefinitely. Frollo suggests that since Esmeralda saved  Gringoire’s life that he should be the one to take her place.  Gringoire tells Frollo that he is too attach to life to save her in that fashion. Frollo flashes an evil smile and tells him he has another plan.

 

As Quasimodo locks the Cathedral for the evening Frollo unlocks it. Quasimodo then take Esmeralda her dinner with some flowers in a clay vase. Esmeralda thanks him for the flowers and tell him that there is no need to hide his face from her. She tells him that she has forgotten Phoebus and she knows that he never loved her. Quasimodo starts to tell her that he loves her but  falters. Esmeralda tells him that she know he loves her as he has proven he it to her and she know that he won’t let Frollo harm her.  She then gives him a peck on the cheek.

 

As Esmeralda sleeps Gringoire and the Gypsies sneak  through the unlock door of Notre Dame. As they sneak in Frollo sneaks out. They find Esmeralda and try to escape with her. Quasimodo begs her not to go but the Gypsies knock Quasimodo out.  Esmeralda doesn’t want to leave but Gringoire forces her out of Notre Dame.

 

As the groups leaves Notre Dame Frollo alerts the guards of Esmeralda exodus.   As the fight ensues Frollo convinces Esmeralda to follow him as she has no choice.  He leads her to a bridge where tells her to be his or die. Esmeralda tells him no and as he is about to stab her Quasimodo stops him. Quasimodo then tells him he saw Frollo stab the Phoebus (Plothole). As Frollo tries to stab Quasimodo, Quasimodo lifts Frollo up and throws him off the bridge and in to the water.

 

Quasimodo then tells Esmeralda that he loves her and she tells him she loves him too. They then run off together  and live happily ever after  in the country.

 

Next Jetlag Review Post – Plot Review