Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) gives Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn) a drink, 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
Much like the Jetlag version, the 1956 version of Hunchback follows the book pretty faithfully. Sure, they add things, remove things and combine things but this version is the most faithful known movie version.
Anaykh craved on the wall, 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
It starts with the theme of Anankh which they says means as “evil destiny.” Bit heavy-handed but at least it’s there in the movie.
Frollo (Alain Cuny) stares while Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) dances, 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
From there the movie follows the book. We have the Feast of Fools, Gringoire’s failed morality play, Esmeralda dances, Frollo is a preist who stares, Quasimodo is named King of Fools, Clopin begs, the kidnapping, Gringoire and Esmeralda are married, Phoebus is a sort of jerk, Frollo practices alchemy Djali spells, and we get that vault ending where after Esmeralda dies and placed into the vault at MountFaucon Quasimodo goes in and lays down beside her to die.
Frollo (Alain Cuny) and Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
Pretty much the plot of the book is let intact. Of course there are somethings that were changed. First one, no Sister Gudule and Esmeralda is a Romani. Not the biggest change as movie versions either don’t use this plot or handles it poorly. The second is that Frollo’s confession jail scene and the red door scene are merged. Personally, I love the jail scene it gives Frollo more characterization and the 56 Frollo would have been enhanced by it but again not a big deal I just wish it had been there.
THe Court of Miracles carry Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) out of Notre Dame, 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
However one change that is big is the suspension of Sanctuary. In the book Frollo tells Gringoire that Sanctuary is going to be suspended so that Esmeralda can be his power but this was a lie. However is turned into reality when the Court of Miracles fell for it and rallied to save Esmeralda but the King thought that they wanted her death and then suspended it. In this version Frollo gets the King to suspended it and the Court tries to save her. So the beggar are not tricked they try to save and they ultimately fail.
Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) dies, 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
Unlike other versions this is the first known version where Esmeralda dies. However unlike the book her death is different. As the Court of Miracles attacks Notre Dame and Quasimodo defends it, Esmeralda goes to the door and meets the Court. They triumphantly carry her out but then the King’s guard fire arrow at them. Esmeralda turns to run back inside Notre Dame but she is shot by an arrow and dies.
Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) dances, 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
It’s admirable that this version follows the book pretty faithfully but like also like the Jetlag version it’s plague with problems that hinders the overall quality of the movie.
Next Article for the 1956 version- the character starting with Esmeralda.
Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) with Phoebus (Jean Danet), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
. It will be release March 12th 2013.
of The Hunchback of Notre Dame directed by Jean Delannoy is considered one of the most faithful adaptations of the book. Even if it’s not 100% accurate this film captures the mood of the original book. Many consider Gina Lollobrigida’s interpretation of Esmeralda to be one of the most accurate deceptions of what a medieval Romani women would have looked like.
. In the episode Jay Sherman gets tickets to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s newest musical “Hunch.”
gets a pass on execution because it maintains the most of the original plot of the book which is rare to see with a movie adaptation of The Hunchback. It’s admirable that the production team did it but there is no excuse for just how lifeless and lazy the Jetlag version is. The nicest thing I can say about it is that the Jetlag version is dull, everything about it is dull; the characters, the colors, the songs, everything. It’s not an overall bad movie and but it’s not that enjoyable either. The only reason I would recommend watching it is to see the plot left pretty much intact but there is no depth or joy to this movie.
