The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)
NETFLIX SYNOPSIS: Overcome by lust, High Justice Frollo (Cedric Hardwicke) — a religious fraud — dispatches deformed bell-ringer Quasimodo (Charles Laughton) to kidnap winsome gypsy Esmeralda (Maureen O’Hara). But Quasimodo is thwarted and pays for his crime with a public flogging. Esmeralda offers him comfort, and her kindness kindles his passion. When she’s later falsely convicted of murder and condemned to death, only the love-struck Quasimodo can save her.
REVIEW: This film is often referred to as the most faithful adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel. Laughton does an amazing job as hunchback Quasimodo and the supporting cast is solid as well. It’s interesting to see how much Disney borrowed from this movie when they made their own animated version of the story in 1996, borrowing snippets of the score, character features and even recreating some scenes. The script does drag a bit at times and the orchestral score is a bit overwrought, but, like its gothic cathedral setting, the film has maintained its dignity with age.
4.5 stars
HAWK
