The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982)

A disfigured man is feared and tormented by the townspeople of Notre Dame, but he has a sensitive nature of which few are aware.

Directors:

Michael Tuchner, Alan Hume (uncredited)

Writers:

John Gay (written for television by), Victor Hugo (novel)

Stars:

Anthony Hopkins, Derek Jacobi, David Suchet

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Hopkins	...	Quasimodo
Derek Jacobi	...	Dom Claude Frollo
David Suchet	...	Clopin Trouillefou
Gerry Sundquist	...	Pierre Gringoire
Tim Pigott-Smith	...	Philippe
John Gielgud	...	Charmolue
Robert Powell	...	Phoebus
Lesley-Anne Down	...	Esmeralda
Nigel Hawthorne	...	Magistrate at Esmeralda's Trial
Roland Culver	...	Bishop of Paris
Rosalie Crutchley	...	Simone
David Kelly	...	Tavernkeeper
Joseph Blatchley	...	Albert
Dave Hill	...	Coppenhole
Donald Eccles	...	Judge

Storyline

Quasimodo, the hunchback bellringer of Notre Dame's cathedral meets a beautiful gypsy dancer, Esmeralda, and falls in love with her. So does Quasimodo's guardian, the archdeacon of the cathedral, and a poor street poet. But Esmeralda's in love with a handsome soldier. But when a mob mistakes her for a witch, it's up to Quasimodo to rescue her and claim sanctuary for her in the cathedral.

---

Plot Keywords:

cathedral | love | dancer | notre dame cathedral | soldier | 

---

Taglines:

Evil Is The Eye Of The Beholder

---

Genres:

Drama | Horror | Romance

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 February 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (#31.2)

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rosemont Productions,Columbia Pictures Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min 98 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Penultimate movie of Alan Webb (Judge at Quasimodo's trial). His final role was in The Deadly Game (1982).

---

Goofs

The number of coins in Esmeralda's tambourine as she dances.

---

Quotes

[last lines]
Quasimodo: Why?
[the word reverbs while Quasimodo falls to his death]

---

Connections

Version of The Halfback of Notre Dame (1996)

User Reviews

Very well done, both as an adaptation and on its own terms

I love the book, and I love the 1939 film which I found beautifully made, memorably performed and very poignant and the Disney film for while it is not a true adaptation the animation and music more than make up for me and Frollo is one of Disney's most interesting characters.

This Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation is not as good as these two in my view, but it is one of the truer adaptations of the book especially in its depiction of Frollo. Two scenes didn't work for me, the Festival of Fools scene which was in need of much more jollity and the Court of Miracles scene which while well acted and set lacked intensity.

However, two scenes in particular did stand out as very powerful, the angry mob scene which is one of the more vivid depictions of that particular scene of any film based on the classic novel and the ending which killed me emotionally.

This Hunchback of Notre Dame does look gorgeous with excellent photography and sumptuous costumes and settings, though I kind of agree that black and white would have given it a more Gothic tone. The story still maintains its emotional impact, the script is thoughtful and literate and Ken Thorne's music is memorable and never too obtrusive.

The acting is spot on. Lesley-Anne Downe is a breathtakingly beautiful and sensual Esmeralda and David Suchet in a role completely different to his Poirot persona(quite a shock if you ask me) is a grotesque Clopin. Anthony Hopkins is a poignant Quasimodo, but it was Derek Jacobi who nails his tortured and complex character that made the adaptation for me.

In conclusion, very well done. 8/10 Bethany Cox