The Hunchback (1997) (TV)

Director:

Peter Medak

Writers (WGA):

Victor Hugo (novel)
John Fasano (teleplay)

Release Date:

16 March 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Romance

Plot:

Based on the novel, a young gypsy becomes a Minister's obsession in 1483. Only the bell ringer and her husband and the court of miracles can save her.

Plot Keywords:

Gypsy | Deformity | King Louis XV | Melancholy | Hunchback

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 4 nominations

Cast

Mandy Patinkin	...	Quasimodo
Richard Harris	...	Dom Frollo
Salma Hayek	...	Esmeralda
Edward Atterton	...	Gringoire
Benedick Blythe	...	Phoebus
Nigel Terry	...	King Louis XI
Jim Dale	...	Clopin
Trevor Baxter	...	Chief Lawyer
Vernon Dobtcheff	...	Father Michel
Nickolas Grace	...	Gauchére
Matthew Sim	...	Crippled Man
Cassie Stuart	...	Colette
Gabriella Fon	...	Queen Anne (as Gabi Fon)
Michael Mehlmann	...	Beggar (as Michael Mehlman)
Olga Antal	...	Woman in Crowd

Also Known As:

Quasimodo (Canada: French title)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Europe: English title)

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA | Hungary | Canada | Czech Republic

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Brazil:12 (video rating) | Netherlands:AL | Spain:13

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Company:

Adelson-Baumgarten Productions

Quotes:

Quasimodo: Why was I not made of stone like these?

Movie Connections:

Version of Esmeralda (1905)

An interesting version.

This version of the Victor Hugo story was good as a whole. Quasimodo wasn't particularly ugly, and it was amazing that he had read so much. Esmeralda was sweet, and it was no wonder she rejected Frollo since he looked very old and was far from attractive. However, at the beginning he really wanted to protect Quasimodo.

I was surprised that the art of printing books was so important in the film. It was incredible that Frollo was even ready to kill the King's minister rather than to let the people have books!

The public humiliation of Quasimodo and Esmeralda was shocking. It was touching that Esmeralda tried to appeal the King for the bellringer. I was very delighted that those two became friends, and again, it deeply touched me to hear Quasimodo talk about his appearance.

I had never before seen a version in which Quasimodo addressed Frollo as his father. He wanted to get him to confess his crime, but still, he tried to save him from death. And he was even strong enough to defy his guardian when he said: "You are a freak."

At the end, it was touching to see Esmeralda ring the bells for Quasimodo - at least, he was happy at the moment of his death.