The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956)
"Notre-Dame de Paris" (original title)

The timeless tale of the seductive gypsy Esmeralda and the tortured hunchback Quasimodo.

Director:

Jean Delannoy

Writers:

Victor Hugo (novel), Jean Aurenche,

Stars:

Gina Lollobrigida, Anthony Quinn, Jean Danet

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gina Lollobrigida	...	Esmeralda
Anthony Quinn	...	Quasimodo
Jean Danet	...	Phoebus de Chateaupers
Alain Cuny	...	Claude Frollo
Robert Hirsch	...	Pierre Gringoire
Danielle Dumont	...	Fleur de Lys
Philippe Clay	...	Clopin Trouillefou
Maurice Sarfati	...	Jehan Frollo
Jean Tissier	...	Louis XI
Valentine Tessier	...	Aloyse de Gondelaurier
Jacques Hilling	...	Maitre Charmolue
Jacques Dufilho	...	Guillaume Rousseau
Roger Blin	...	Mathias Hungadi
Marianne Oswald	...	La Falourdel
Roland Bailly	...	The Hangman

Storyline

Paris, 1482. Today is the festival of the fools, taking place like each year in the square outside Cathedral Notre Dame. Among jugglers and other entertainers, Esmeralda, a sensuous gypsy, performs a bewitching dance in front of delighted spectators. From up in a tower of the cathedral, Frollo, an alchemist, gazes at her lustfully. Later in the night, Frollo orders Quasimodo, the deformed bell ringer and his faithful servant, to kidnap Esmeralda. But when the ugly freak comes close to her is touched by the young woman's beauty...

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Plot Keywords:

cathedral | gypsy | hunchback | self sacrifice | whipping | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | Horror

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for violence and sensuality

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

3 November 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

Filming Locations:

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris 6, Place du Parvis, Paris 4, Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Panitalia, Paris Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original French-language version contains two scenes cut from the English-language version. In the first, after the stabbing of Phoebus, we see Pierre Gringoire, surrounded by his friends from the Cour des Miracles, worrying about Esméralda's disappearance. In the second, after Esméralda's rescue, we see Claude, back at the scene of the crime at La Falourdel's, breaking down on the floor, and talking about guilt and the state of his soul. This then leads into his return to the cathedral.

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Quotes

Esmeralda: [dying] Life is wonderful.

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Connections

Version of The Hunchback Hairball of L.A. (1989)

User Reviews

A Story Of Innocence

In this third version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame we get a story far closer to the truth of Victor Hugo's classic novel. Unlike the productions done starring Lon Chaney and Charles Laughton, this one was done in France by the French who took pains to remain faithful to the version Victor Hugo wrote.

Note the title in the original French and note it's the cathedral not the hunchback who is the center of the story. That allowed Italian film star Gina Lollobrigida to be billed first and then Anthony Quinn as the hunchback. No doubt about it Lollobrigida is the sexiest Esmerelda going, she makes both Patsy Ruth Miller and Maureen O'Hara look like nuns. Then again she was who the movie going public was paying to see.

This is not to take anything away from Anthony Quinn who seems to extend his role as the brutish strong man in La Strada into his portrayal of Quasimodo. Although Charles Laughton's performance is my favorite, this does not denigrate Quinn in any way.

The rest of the cast is made up of players from the French cinema. I particularly liked Jean Tissier as the 'Spider King' Louis XI. It's a subtle piece of acting and you can see why this was no man to trifle with.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a tale of innocence. Quasimodo's to be sure, but even the sexy and voluptuous Esmerelda. She may know all about sex, but she's pretty ignorant in the ways of the political world. Both protagonists are used by forces and people they cannot comprehend.

This version of the Victor Hugo classic has its supporters and they should support this great retelling of a classic tale.