I don’t know what to call this song, it’s basically Frollo stating who he is, what he wants and how godlike he is. He wants simply everything, who can’t relate to that?
I really enjoy this song. It’s so hammy and over-the-top that is just an utter delight. I think the voice actor/singer is REALLY having fun with this song. Frollo is just power hungry ego-manic and that makes for a good villain with a silly song.
This is song is far too short.
Props to the singer for saying Forte correctly, A+. Also I want to point out that all the singers sing very well which is unlike the Jetlag version, that guy’s raspy voice still annoys me.
To be fair any villain when compare in direct opposition to Frollo is going to look weak and lack luster, so Saroush being in a sequel of Hunchback didn’t stand a chance. The only way he would had avoided negative comparison was if his deeds were far more despicable than Frollo’s which means he would have had to kill many cute things but since this film is about Quasimodo getting a girlfriend that was not going to happen.
Sarousch Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Circus Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Saroush magically zap balls to Zephyr Hunchback II Disney
Being in a direct to DVD sequel, Saroush was doom from the start, I mean no one takes those movies seriously, No One! Saroush is a Gypsy circus master who wants to be rich. To get rich he steals from his patrons but he has his sights on La Fidèle. It’s curious though, Saroush has exotic animals in his circus which includes but not limited to three elephants, two giraffes, and a zebra. Any of those animals would have worth more than the Bell. He also seems to employ some magic tricks that look more like magic than illusions, ex the transporting balls into the crowd. Not sure how that one could be explained but it seems that would have been a boon to his stealing. So he’s greedy and dumb.
Saroush fawns over Himself Hunchback of Notre Dame II DIsney
Sarousch in his griddle Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Sarousch being arrested Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Beside being a “criminal mastermind” he is VERY vain. He has pictures of himself in his cart that can change to mirrors, so he can see himself. He also wears a corset (griddle) and a hair piece. Not sure if this is only for comedy or if they is some under lying commentary on a youth obsessed culture? No it’s just for shits and giggles and to make him look stupid when he gets his comeuppance at the end seeing him all fat, bald and old (actually there is some commentary on youth obsession). Actually my guess is Saroush’s vanity harkens back to Quasimodo and how awesome he is even if he’s ugly. Remember the first rule of a Hunchback cartoon for kids, drive the ” it doesn’t matter what you look like” moral over the edge. To reiterate Saroush is greedy, dumb, and vain yet ugly.
Saroush Hunchback of Notre Dame II DIsney
Phoebus and Sarousch Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Sarousch kidnapping Zephyr Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Saroush is also ruthless. When he gets idea in his head he will do anything to achieve those means even someone has to get hurt. He also blackmails and uses guilt to get what he wants. He sets up Madeline to be arrested by telling Phoebus that she wanted the bell just as a distraction. He then also kidnapped Phoesbus’ son Zephyr and threaten the boy to ensure his get away. Saroush is greedy, dumb, vain yet ugly and an Asshole.
Saroush sees La Fidèle Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
Now in the scope of villain, being greedy, dumb, vain yet ugly and an Asshole isn’t bad, but Saroush’s non sequitur about referring to things as lovely, his nicknames for Madeline (trinket, Eclair, Bonbon, and other anachronistic treats of the 19th century), and his reference to his underwear make him comic and not scary or menacing as a villain. But what chance did he have of being a Villain whose main objective is to steal a jewel encrusted bell on the inside.
Sarousch autographs a ball for Zephyr Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney
That being said I kind of enjoy his stupid antics and he’s voiced by Michael McKean who played Mr. Green in Clue and I love that movie (it was my childhood). However Saroush is a lousy villain but at least he’s entertaining.
Next the Personality Deficient Fruit of Phoebus’ Loins Plot Device umm Zephyr
Judge Claude Frollo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Frollo is Quasimodo’s counterpoint and the Villain of the movie. Frollo is a bit different from other Disney villains. Many of the villains are trying to get more power such as Ursula, Jafar, Scar etc, but Frollo already has power as he is the High Justice of Paris. His motivation keeping control and he is fueled by hate. He thinks he’s better than everyone else from a moral stand point and if he judges it as amoral than he thinks he is in the right, from killing an innocent women, to trying to kill a baby, burning Paris or attempted genocide.
Judge Claude Frollo
Disney villains generally have two looks to them, elegant and slim or fat yet still elegant. Frollo is of the elegant, slim and tall variety. Looking at the concept art you can see parallels between Disney’s Frollo and Sir Cedric Hardwicke. He dresses like noble but
Concept Art for Frollo
we’re given no back story other than his relationship with Quasimodo so we have no where he comes from. In the musical Der Glöckner von Notre Dame ( German musical by Alan Menkan based on the Disney movie) Frollo was a priest prior to becoming the high Justice, which makes his pious-bent makes a little more sense, but you don’t go from a priest to High Justice. At least in 1939 version his piousness was the result of having a Brother who was the Archdeacon.
With Disney Frollo there is no hint or reason given for a morally-corrupt pious Judge. You can make guesses as to what the reason is for Frollo’s behavior but Disney films have never been a venue for giving out much character development of their villains. Character Development might prompt sympathy. My guess would be being pious and acting moral helps Frollo maintain his hold over the Parisians.
Frollo and Qausimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney
Frollo is very conniving and manipulative. He raises Quasimodo out of guilt for killing Quasimodo’s mother in front of Notre Dame but he keeps him locked away in Notre Dame. I can’t quite figure out his logic for keeping Quasimodo in Notre Dame (other than the almighty plot and source material told him to), I mean Frollo lives in a jail. Anyway Frollo also raises Quasimodo with the hope that Quasimodo will be useful to him in some capacity. It’s hard to know if Frollo actually likes Quasimodo or he simply likes the dynamics of their Master/slave:Father/son relationship. My guess is Frollo all about Power and keeping power and Quasimodo serves as a consistent reminder of his hold over Paris and when Quasimodo proved too willful for him he tried to kill him.
Frollo trying to control Quasimodo
Frollo trying to kill Quasimodo
Esmeralda giving Frollo a Kiss
In direct opposition to Frollo’s control is Esmeralda. Esmeralda is everything that Frollo hates, she’s a free-spirited Gypsy who dances and lives outside the social order that he controls. Frollo first notices her when she danced a very sensual dance and kissed him on the nose. The dance, while getting his attention wasn’t the factor to make him obsessives towards her, it was her defying him in support of Quasimodo who was being tortured by the crowd. Esmeralda uses some parlor tricks that Frollo misconstrues as witchcraft (another of Frollo’s turn off) and after a merry chase she gives him the slip and goes into Notre Dame.
Frollo groping Esmeralda
Frollo’s obsession for her intensify to the point where he has to over come her, at this point by arresting her. Frollo tries to arrest her in Notre Dame but due sanctuary, she is protected. It’s at this point Frollo loses control and gropes her, and sniffs her hair, and thus the lust begins.
Frollo and an illusion of Esmeralda during Hellfire
As he can’t arrest her, he blocks her in Notre Dame stationing guards at every door of the cathedral. Frollo then sings about how his losing control is the fault of Esmeralda and not his, “Hellfire.” At this point arresting Esmeralda is not enough, he needs to be in possession of her or she mustn’t exists. It’s during this song where he learns that once again that Esmeralda has given him the slip. Frollo then goes on a spree of burning Paris, trying to bribe other Romani for Esmeralda’s whereabouts and then arresting them for not being helpful. Frollo manipulates Quasimodo to learn the location of the Court of Miracles. This is where Esmeralda is when Frollo attacks and arrests everyone there.
Frollo’s ultimatum to Esmeralda
As Esmeralda is tied to the stake and about to be burn, Frollo gives Esmeralda his final ultimatum, Him or Flame. Ultimately, like all Disney movies there is a climax that ends with the villain’s death, like many Disney movies, Frollo is not killed or subdue by the hero, he’s actually about to kill Esmeralda and Quasimodo but the gargoyle he is standing on breaks and Frollo falls to his death. So the real hero of the story is Notre Dame.
Frollo’s Death
Frollo singing Hellfire
So in the history Disney of Villains, Frollo is one of the most vile among the line-up as he is most real and less “fun.” He is less featured in merch for these reasons.
Frollo attempting to drown baby Quasimodo
As far as Disney Villains go, he’s guilty of some of the most heinous acts. Within the first two minutes of his introduction, he kills a women and tries to kill a baby, he shows no remorse for these acts, in fact he justifies them; the women ran, he just followed (he must have thought the kick was an act of God) and he justifies almost killing a baby because it’s ugly and he consider the baby a monster. What makes Frollo more compelling as a Villain is his control and power and the fact that he thinks he both righteous and pure.
didn’t stand a chance. The only way he would had avoided negative comparison was if his deeds were far more despicable than Frollo’s which means he would have had to kill many cute things but since this film is about Quasimodo getting a girlfriend that was not going to happen.
and I love that movie (it was my childhood). However Saroush is a lousy villain but at least he’s entertaining.
