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IMDbPro

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

  • 19231923
  • PassedPassed
  • 2h 13m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
5.4K
YOUR RATING
Lon Chaney and Patsy Ruth Miller in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
  • Drama
  • Horror
  • Romance
In 15th-century Paris, the brother of the archdeacon plots with the gypsy king to foment a peasant revolt. Meanwhile, a freakish hunchback falls in love with the gypsy queen.In 15th-century Paris, the brother of the archdeacon plots with the gypsy king to foment a peasant revolt. Meanwhile, a freakish hunchback falls in love with the gypsy queen.In 15th-century Paris, the brother of the archdeacon plots with the gypsy king to foment a peasant revolt. Meanwhile, a freakish hunchback falls in love with the gypsy queen.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
5.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Wallace Worsley
  • Writers
    • Victor Hugo(novel "Notre-Dame de Paris")
    • Perley Poore Sheehan(adaptation)
    • Edward T. Lowe Jr.(scenario)
  • Stars
    • Lon Chaney
    • Patsy Ruth Miller
    • Norman Kerry
Top credits
  • Director
    • Wallace Worsley
  • Writers
    • Victor Hugo(novel "Notre-Dame de Paris")
    • Perley Poore Sheehan(adaptation)
    • Edward T. Lowe Jr.(scenario)
  • Stars
    • Lon Chaney
    • Patsy Ruth Miller
    • Norman Kerry
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 65User reviews
    • 51Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination

    Photos137

    Lon Chaney in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
    Lon Chaney and Brandon Hurst in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
    Lon Chaney in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
    Lon Chaney, Nigel De Brulier, and Ernest Torrence in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
    The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
    "Hunchback Of Notre Dame, The" Lon Chaney 1923 Universal
    Lon Chaney in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
    The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
    Patsy Ruth Miller in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
    Lon Chaney in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
    The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
    The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Lon Chaney
    Lon Chaney
    • Quasimodo
    Patsy Ruth Miller
    Patsy Ruth Miller
    • Esmeralda
    Norman Kerry
    Norman Kerry
    • Phoebus de Chateaupers
    Kate Lester
    Kate Lester
    • Madame de Condelaurier
    Winifred Bryson
    • Fleur de Lys
    Nigel De Brulier
    Nigel De Brulier
    • Don Claudio
    • (as Nigel de Brulier)
    Brandon Hurst
    Brandon Hurst
    • Jehan
    Ernest Torrence
    Ernest Torrence
    • Clopin
    • (as Ernest Torrance)
    Tully Marshall
    Tully Marshall
    • El Rey Luis XI
    Harry von Meter
    Harry von Meter
    • Mons. Neufchatel
    • (as Harry Van Meter)
    Raymond Hatton
    Raymond Hatton
    • Gringoire
    Nick De Ruiz
    • Mons. Le Torteru
    • (as Nick de Ruiz)
    Eulalie Jensen
    Eulalie Jensen
    • Marie
    Roy Laidlaw
    • Charmolu
    Ray Myers
    Ray Myers
    • Charmolu's Assistant
    • (as W. Ray Meyers)
    William Parke
    William Parke
    • Josephus
    • (as William Parke Sr.)
    Gladys Brockwell
    Gladys Brockwell
    • Sister Gudule
    John Cossar
    John Cossar
    • Judge of the Court
    • Director
      • Wallace Worsley
    • Writers
      • Victor Hugo(novel "Notre-Dame de Paris")
      • Perley Poore Sheehan(adaptation)
      • Edward T. Lowe Jr.(scenario)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Wallace Worsley Jr., son of the film's director, said that many of the extras for the massive crowd scenes were recruited in downtown Los Angeles for $1.00 a night and meals. Among them, he said, were a good number of prostitutes, who did a "considerable sideline business" on the sets. Universal also hired 50 Pinkerton detectives and put them among the crowd, and their job was to catch pickpockets and various other thieves among the extras.
    • Goofs
      After Esmeralda gives Quasimodo water (he's still chained down), the nose putty on Quasimodo's left cheek is coming loose - there's a noticeable gap between Lon Chaney's face and the nose putty used to make the fake cheek.
    • Quotes

      Quasimodo: [title card] Sanctuary! Sanctuary!

    • Crazy credits
      Tully Marshall is billed erroneously as "El Rey Luis XI" which is Spanish for "King Louis XI". He should have been billed as "Le Roi Louis XI" which is French for "King Louis XI".
    • Alternate versions
      Several video versions of this film exist, with running times from about 80 minutes up to the full time of the theatrical version.
    • Connections
      Edited into Dream Slashers (2007)

    User reviews65

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Beautiful…but I hope you have a wide attention span!
    This early version of the legendary story is (so far) the oldest film I've ever seen. Personally, I find it fascinating to purchase movies made before my grandparents were even born. The entire concept of cinema as a form of art is scarcely out of the egg it all still looks so grotesque. I did learn something from this film…these ancient milestones aren't necessarily brilliant but impressive beyond belief. The Hunchback of the Notre Dame often gets referred to as one of the first ‘horror' classics but much more than that, it's a historical spectacle with massive sets and groundbreaking elements. The actual plot is so easy to summarize but you get so much more than that! Like a very detailed and imaginative portrait of Paris in the 15th century, the variety of social classes and an idea of medieval interpretation of the law. At some times in this film, you almost get the idea Quasimodo and Esmeralda are just second-class puppets in what is primarily a historical and educating documentary. Magnificent without a single doubt…but time-consuming and ponderous to sit through…Although, I have to say I hunt down the extended version, furnished with a stained musical track and lasting 140 minutes.

    The actual plot and the presentation of Quasimodo's personality is still unparalleled and touching beyond comparison. Lon Chaney is simply outstanding as the unworldly and deformed ‘freak' who's willing to sacrifice his life unconditionally to rescue the girl who once treated him in a human way. He might be hideous, but he's the only who's pure, honest and free of prejudices. Lon Chaney's facial make-up and hunch are early horror triumphs. Along with his natural charismatic appearance, the Quasimodo portrayal provided Chaney with the immortal status of horror-cinema icon. Even though he already starred in over a hundred films before The Hunchback, he'll always be remembered starting from this point of his career. Like none other actor, Chaney gave a face to Quasimodo and that is not exaggerated! Multiple other well-respected actors gave image to Quasimodo after Chaney (like Charles Laughton, Anthony Quinn and Anthony Hopkins) but only he will truly be remembered for it. Same goes for Lon's personification of Erik in `Phantom of the Opera' which is his greatest achievement in cinema along with Hunchback.

    The Hunchback of the Notre Dame is over eighty (80!) years old now and it still stands as one of the most overwhelming heavyweights in cinema ever. Some of the sequences shown here are pure mythical inheritance. Like Chaney acrobatic movements while tolling the massive bells…or his descent off the Notre Dame's walls! Still, this film might not be for all tastes as it's too bombastic all together and Woresly's direction is kind of rough and ponderous. He surely put too much energy in it, as it was the most ambitious project of his career. Therefore, it's hard to stay focused continuously as the shots of Medieval Parisian streets seem to be endless
    helpful•16
    2
    • Coventry
    • Mar 12, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 6, 1923 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Notre Dame'ın Kamburu
    • Filming locations
      • France
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,250,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      2 hours 13 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Silent
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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