The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Directed by William Dieterle
Written by Sonya Levien and Bruno Frank from the novel by Victor Hugo
1939/USA
RKO Radio Pictures
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental

[box] Quasimodo, the bell-ringer: [to one of the stone gargoyles] Why was I not made of stone – like thee?[/box]

Despite its many excellences, I find this film such a downer that it is hard for me to watch.

In 15th Century France, Quasimodo (Charles Laughton) is a hideously deformed bell-ringer at Notre Dame cathedral, who has also been deafened by the sound of the bells. Quasimodo was rescued as a baby by the evil Inquisitor Frollo (Cedric Hardwicke).  Frollo becomes madly infatuated by Gypsy dancer Esmeralda (Maureen O’Hara) and believes she has bewitched him.

Esmeralda is quite a beauty, but a saintly one,  and similarly attracts poet Gringore (Edmond O’Brien).  She herself is in love with dashing Phoebus but marries Gringore to save him from hanging.  Quasimodo also is enchanted with Esmeralda and tries unsuccessfully to carry her off.  The next day, while he is being cruelly punished for doing so she offers him a glass of water. He is now devoted to her beyond all measure and comes to the rescue after she is found guilty in a trial for witchcraft and murder.

This should be seen for Charles Laughton’s performance alone.  I find him most effective in the earlier scenes in which he does not speak.  The other performances and the production are of a very high standard.  Maureen O’Hara was probably never more radiantly beautiful than she was here, in her debut.  I have a hard time with cruelty in movies though and this story is jam-packed with it.  I probably will not re-visit this film.

I have not seen the Disney cartoon but have always wondered how the story could possibly have been made suitable for children.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame was nominated for Academy Awards for its Sound Recording and Original Score.  How Laughton missed being nominated is beyond me.

Clip – Quasimodo rescues Esmerelda