The Hunchback of Notre Dame

1939

Action / Drama / Horror / Romance

17
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 87% · 17 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 87% · 5K ratings
IMDb Rating 7.8/10 10 13170 13.2K

sibling relationship paris, france based on novel or book unrequited love racism black and white

Plot summary

Paris, France, 1482. Frollo, Chief Justice of benevolent King Louis XI, gets infatuated by the beauty of Esmeralda, a young Romani girl. The hunchback Quasimodo, Frollo's protege and bell-ringer of Notre Dame, lives in peace among the bells in the heights of the immense cathedral until he is involved by the twisted magistrate in his malicious plans to free himself from Esmeralda's alleged spell, which he believes to be the devil's work.

Director

William Dieterle Photo
William Dieterle

Top cast

Walter Hampden Photo
Walter Hampden as Archdeacon
Louis Jean Heydt Photo
Louis Jean Heydt as Minor Role
Harry J. Vejar Photo
Harry J. Vejar as Noble
Paul Newlan Photo
Paul Newlan as Whipper
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
1.05 GB
988*720
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 56 min
Seeds 5
1.94 GB
1472*1072
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 56 min
Seeds 23

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by Nazi_Fighter_David 9 / 10

A small masterpiece, projecting love of the fantastic, the mystical, and the grotesque...

Reviewed by didi-5 8 / 10

stellar performances from a great book

One of the great Hollywood films of 1939, this adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel is sumptuously put together, boasting a fine script, tight direction by German export William Dieterle, and a cast who fit their parts perfectly: Charles Laughton superb as the maligned Quasimodo; Maureen O'Hara in an early role as gypsy Esmeralda; Cedric Hardwicke as the pious Frollo; and Harry Davenport as the king, Louis XI.The story is a version of Beauty and the Beast set within the confines of Notre Dame Cathedral and the dirt-strewn and prejudiced streets of Paris. Quasimodo, physically repulsive and deafened by the bells of the cathedral, nevertheless finds it in his childish heart to love the beautiful Esmeralda and to sacrifice his sanctuary for her. She however only has eyes for the dashing Gringoire (Edmond O'Brien) who she saves from the justice of the beggar thieves.It is Laughton's performance that holds this film together - truly one of the greatest screen actors, capable of portraying pathos like no other. Contrast this film role with his Henry VIII or Captain Bligh and you begin to get an idea of his impressive range.
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