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The Hunchback of Notre Dame
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The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) More at IMDbPro »

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The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) -- In 15th century France, a gypsy girl is framed for murder by the infatuated Chief Justice, and only the deformed bellringer of Notre Dame Cathedral can save her.

Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   3,825 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 14% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
William Dieterle
Writers:
Victor Hugo (novel)
Sonya Levien (screenplay)
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Hunchback of Notre Dame on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
31 December 1939 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | History more
Tagline:
Impact ! Power ! Pathos ! Drama ! more
Plot:
In 15th century France, a gypsy girl is framed for murder by the infatuated Chief Justice, and only the deformed bellringer of Notre Dame Cathedral can save her. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. more
NewsDesk:
Director Robert Wise Dies at 91
 (From IMDb News. 15 September 2005)

User Comments:
I wish Hugo could have seen it. more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Charles Laughton ... Quasimodo
Cedric Hardwicke ... Frollo (as Sir Cedric Hardwicke)
Thomas Mitchell ... Clopin

Maureen O'Hara ... Esmeralda

Edmond O'Brien ... Gringoire
Alan Marshal ... Phoebus
Walter Hampden ... Archdeacon
Harry Davenport ... King Louis XI
Katharine Alexander ... Madame de Lys
George Zucco ... Procurator
Fritz Leiber ... Old Nobleman
Etienne Girardot ... Doctor
Helene Whitney ... Fleur de Lys
Minna Gombell ... Queen of Beggars (as Mina Gombell)
Arthur Hohl ... Olivier
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Additional Details

Runtime:
116 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Victor System)
Certification:
UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (re-rating) (1985) | Portugal:M/12 | Canada:G (Ontario) | Canada:PG (video rating) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #5504) | Australia:PG

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Pandro S. Berman offered Basil Rathbone a principal part in this film but Universal refused to release him. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: After Quasimodo dumps the molten metal on the crowd below him, he sits on the wall with the sky in the background. Creases in the painted backdrop are clearly visible, as well as the backdrop fabric. more
Quotes:
Quasimodo, the bell-ringer: [to one of the stone gargoyles] Why was I not made of stone -- like thee? more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982) more
Soundtrack:
Ave Maria more

FAQ

How closely does the movie follow the novel?
How does it end?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
more
28 out of 34 people found the following comment useful:-
I wish Hugo could have seen it., 14 June 2002
Author: dbdumonteil

The ending differs from Hugo's novel,but I guess it was necessary to bestow on the audiences a de rigueur happy end when the world situation was getting worse and worse.It' s also dubious that king Louis XI -who died in 1483- might have been aware of Christophe Colomb's plans ,because the latter only informed the king of Portugal-who refused to put up the money for his expedition- in ...1484!

These are minor squabbles.Because this movie is definitely the finest version of Hugo's classic ,much superior to the French one ,directed by Jean Delannoy(1956) with Anthony Quinn and Gina Lollobrigida.Dieterle's work is a feast for the eyes with numerous classic scenes ,very clever dialogue,superlative performances and complete mastery of the camera.

The opening-Louis XI visiting a printing house-sums up the turning of history:Gutenberg's invention will allow the knowledge and as the King watches the cathedrals ,he makes us feel that these books of stone are fast becoming a thing of the past.The Middle Ages are coming to an end,but a lot of people ,particularly the clergy do not want to lose the power they have on the populace.When Frollo sentences Esmeralda to death,because of his sexual desire,he puts the blame on the devil.He's a man of the past,diametrically opposite to Gringoire,who epitomizes modernity,and who understands the power of the pamphlet which the printing increases tenfold.

Charles Laughton is by far the best Quasimodo that can be seen on a screen:he's so extraordinary that he almost turns the happy end into a tragedy!He gets good support from a moving and extremely beautiful O'Hara as Esmeralda and from Harwicke as Frollo.

Peaks:the fools day,the cour des miracles -maybe showing some influence by Browning's "freaks"-,all the scenes in the cathedral.Dieterle is on par with the most demanding directors all along his movie:the movements in the crowd are stunning,breathtaking,often filmed from the church towers.Humor is not absent either:Gregoire's eventful night in the cour des Miracles is colorful and funny and scary all at once.

A monument,like the cathedral itself.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Film compared to the novel dolce7dolore
Actors LittleElfie
Frollo...THE CREEP!!! Did anyone else notice... saoirse_eire32
what version is the most similar to the novel? Somebody help me! sniper-redwolf
If they remade it without all the liberties... GW1988
In regards to earlier threads about casts for a modern HoND - Esmeralda LittleElfie
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