Notre Dame of Paris Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Notre Dame of Paris

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.

 

Frollo adopting Baby Quasimodo Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Frollo adopting Baby Quasimodo

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.

 

Esmeralda and Gringoire Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda and Gringoire

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.

 

Quasimodo being arrested Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo being arrested

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.

 

Gringoire tries to score a kiss Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Gringoire tries to score a kiss

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.

 

Esmeralda giving Quasimodo water Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda giving Quasimodo water

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.

 

Djali spelling Phoebus Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Djali spelling Phoebus

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.

 

Gringoire balancing a chair Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Gringoire balancing a chair Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame

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.

 

Esmeralda & Phoebus Kiss while Frollo attacks Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda & Phoebus Kiss while Frollo attacks

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.

 

Esmeralda being lead to the gallows Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda being lead to the gallows

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.

 

Quasimod claiming Sanctuary for Esmeralda Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimod claiming Sanctuary for Esmeralda

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

 

Esmeralda in Sanctuary Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda in Sanctuary

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.

 

Esmeralda and Frollo Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame image picture

Esmeralda and Frollo

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 gives an evil smile Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Frollo gives an evil smile

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.

 

Esmeralda gives Quasimodo a kiss Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda gives Quasimodo a kiss

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.

 

Sneaking into Notre Dame Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Sneaking into Notre Dame

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.

 

Quasimodo throws Frollo off a bridge Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo throws Frollo off a bridge

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 and Esmeralda embrace Esmeralda in Sanctuary Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo and Esmeralda embrace Esmeralda in Sanctuary

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

Phoebus Face Jetlag version Hunchback of Notre Dame

Phoebus Face

 

Zephyr Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney Sequel 2 picture image

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 Sequel Disney 2 II picture image

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" Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Zephyr sums up the movie "yuck" Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

The Cast Hunchback of Notre Dame Sequel 2 II picture image Disney

The Cast Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Quasimodo and Zephyr Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

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 Hunchback of Notre Dame sequel 2 II Disney picture image

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 Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

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 Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Clopin and Quasimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Sad Quasimodo Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Sad Quasimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Esmeralda and Quasimodo Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

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 Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Circus Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Madeline Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Madeline Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Sarousch Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

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 Topic Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Madeline and Quasimodo laugh about Dumb Topics

Smitten Quasimodo Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Smitten Quasimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Quasimodo singing Ordinary Miracles Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Quasimodo singing Ordinary Miracles Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quasimodo in new threads Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

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 Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Sarousch in his griddle Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Sarousch Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Sarousch Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Madeline Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

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 Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Quasimodo and Zephyr Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Madeline and Quasimodo laugh about Dumb Topic Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Madeline and Quasimodo laugh about Dumb Topic again

Madeline and Quasimodo in the rain Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

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 Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Esmeralda and Quasimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Esmeralda and Phoebus Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Esmeralda and Phoebus Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Phoebus getting hit with a ball Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

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 Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Sarousch, Madeline and Goons Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Phoebus and Sarousch Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Phoebus and Sarousch Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Sarousch autographs a ball for Zephyr Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

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 Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

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 Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Quasimodo mad while Madeline gets arrested Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Quasimodo cries Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

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 Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Sarousch kidnapping Zephyr Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Madeline saving Zephyr Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Madeline saving Zephyr Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Sarousch being arrested Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

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 Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Madeline and Quasimodo kiss Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Zephyr sums up the movie "yuck" Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Zephyr sums up the movie "yuck" Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Time – The old Characters

Esmeralda Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

So a Little Bit More on Achilles and Djali – Yeah There is More, Go Fig….

 

 

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.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

The Gargoyles – Victor, Hugo, and Laverne

The Gargoyles; Hugo Laverne, Victor Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney
The Gargoyles; Hugo Laverne, Victor, Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

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 picture image
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.

Victor Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Victor, 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 picture image
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 picture image
Hugo and Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Laverne and the birds Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Laverne and the birds Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
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

 

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 Directors 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 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 maybe 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 picture image
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 picture image
Victor, Hugo and Laverne draw pictures Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Hugo in drag Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Hugo in drag 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 ( maybe the 1939 movie 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, sorry) that would have much better than the Gargoyles.

 

Hugo playing poker Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Hugo playing poker Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Victor and Laverne singing A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre dame picture image
Victor and Laverne singing A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre dame
Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame a Guy like you
A Guy Like You

 

 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 picture image
Victor and Laverne’s drawing of Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Hugo draws Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Hugo draws Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Victor, Hugo and Laverne trying to liberate Quasimodo in emo-mode Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
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 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

 

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  Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame  picture image
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 (Kyphosis) and he is shorter than most of the other characters, but that’s 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" Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney picture image
Quasimodo singing “Out There” Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

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 in this adapation. (2026 edit in the Disney Theatrical Musical version he is 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 Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney picture image
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 Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney picture image
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" Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney picture image
Quasimodo’s figurines from “Heaven’s Light”

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.

Quasimodo declares Sanctuary for Esmeralda  Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame  picture image
Quasimodo declares Sanctuary for Esmeralda

Frollo and Quasimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney picture image
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 and Quaismodo Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney picture image
Frollo and Quaismodo

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

 

Quasimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney picture image
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.

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Clopin Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
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 Romani 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”

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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.

Quasimodo on the Pillory Charles Laughton  1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image pillory cut 1 -Gringoire and Clopin Edmond O'brein Thomas Mitchell 1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image pillory cut 2- extras   1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image pillory cut 3 -Quasimodo Charles Laughton  1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image pillory cut 4 - whipper  1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image pillory cut 5 - Gringoire and Clopin Edmond O'brein Thomas Mitchell 1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image pillory 6 - more extras  1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image pillory 7 - to Quasimodo Charles Laughton  1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image pillory 8 -Frollo in a meeting Sir Cedric hardwicke 1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image pillory 9 - Gringoire and Clopin Edmond O'brein Thomas Mitchell 1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image Pillory 10 - Frollo on the scene Sir Cedric hardwicke 1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image Pillory 11 - Gringoire and Claude Edmond O'brein Walter Hampden 1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image pillory 12 -Gringoire and Esmealda  Edmond O'brein Maureen O'hara 1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image Pillory 13 -Esmeralda and Quasimodo Charles Laughton Maureen O'hara   1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image

 

all these pictures are all from the “pillory scene” and now for the trial

Trial extras  1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image Aristotle the Goat 1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image Quasimodo confesses to the murder Charles Laughton  1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image Extra leaving trial  extras  1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image Frollo watches from a spy hole Sir cedric hardwicke 1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image Frollo-vision of Esmeralda being tortured Maureen O'hara 1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image Louis at the Trial Harry Davenport 1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image Louis and Esmeralda Maureen O'hara Harry Davenport 1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image Trial by ordeal/chance Maureen O'hara Harry Davenport 1939 Hunchback of Notre dame  picture image

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!