The Hunchback (1997)

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.

Director:

Peter Medak (as Peter Medák)

Writers:

Victor Hugo (novel), John Fasano (teleplay)

Stars:

Mandy Patinkin, Richard Harris, Salma Hayek

Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

minister | bell | gypsy | renaissance | political opposition | 

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA Hungary Canada Czech Republic

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 March 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Company Credits

Production Co:

Adelson-Baumgarten Productions, Alliance Communications Corporation, Stillking Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mandy Patinkin was originally cast as Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), but dropped out due to clashes with the producer regarding the character. He was cast as Quasimodo in this film, and Tom Hulce was cast to voice Quasimodo in Patinkin's place, in the animated version.

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Quotes

Dom Frollo: And I will protect France against printed books as I protected France against witches, sorcerers and gypsies in the past.
Gauchére: There are no witches or sorcerers in France!
Dom Frollo: Exactly.

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Connections

Version of Esmeralda (1922)

User Reviews

Competent adaptation focuses on character play

Nicely done rendition of the classic melodrama, with Mandy Pantinkin taking a turn as Quasimodo, the bellringer of Notre Dame. Salma Hayek is marvelous as Esmeralda, with Richard Harris quite good as the wicked Monsignor Frollo, supported by a nice score by Edward Shearmur. The film stays faithful to the Victor Hugo storyline, while adding a new subtext about the new printing press' threat to the power of the Church, which adds to the story's existing political class substory and fuels the behind-the-scenes politics between Frollo and the King, within which the story of Esmeralda, Quasimodo, and the idealist Gringoire (quite competently portrayed by Edward Atterton, although both his role and that of Phoebus - a blasé Benedick Blythe - are quite abridged in this adaptation) play out. Jim Dale (reader of the Harry Potter audiobooks) is also quite notable as Clopin, King of the Thieves, whose presence throughout gives the story quite a fine dynamic. Small budget lessens the story's epic impact - and the setting resembles more of a rural farm than the center of Paris, but like most TVMs the story centers on the characters and this focus remains effective and likable. There have been many capable versions of the classic story - none of which have come close to matching the spectacle of the original silent version with Lon Chaney as Quasimodo; however this, along with the Charles Laughton version, is a worthy successor and was very nicely helmed by Peter Medak.