Notre Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) (1957)

57% of users liked it
(1,463 ratings)

Better known as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, this opulent French production is the second talkie version of Victor Hugo's famous novel. Buried under mounds of latex, Anthony Quinn does his best as the deformed bellringer Quasimodo, though he comes off more as a punchdrunk ex-pug than a literal… More Better known as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, this opulent French production is the second talkie version of Victor Hugo's famous novel. Buried under mounds of latex, Anthony Quinn does his best as the deformed bellringer Quasimodo, though he comes off more as a punchdrunk ex-pug than a literal interpretation of Hugo's tragic protagonist. Somewhat more effective within the film's framework is Gina Lollobrigida as gypsy dancing girl Esmerelda, whose friendship with Quasimodo motivates the story. As in previous adaptations of the Hugo novel, the villain Frolio (Alain Cluny), originally a priest, is given a less-controversial station in life: in this case, he is an alchemist rather than a man of the cloth. Otherwise, Notre Dame de Paris is one of the more faithful renditions of the original novel, even unto retaining Hugo's unhappy ending. When first released in the U.S. by Allied Artists, the film was titled Hunchback of Paris, to avoid a copyright conflict with RKO's 1939 adaptation of Hunchback of Notre Dame. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 4 min.
Directed By: Jean Delannoy
Written By: Victor Hugo, Jean Aurenche, Jacques Prevert
Genres: Drama, Horror, Art House & International, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 19, 1956 Wide
On DVD: Sep 2, 2003

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Luke B

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a very hard film to make. Mostly due to the darkness and despair of the original work. If you've only grown up with the Disney version, prepare to be shocked. I truly liked this effort, as it got a lot of the complexities of each character down.… More
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a very hard film to make. Mostly due to the darkness and despair of the original work. If you've only grown up with the Disney version, prepare to be shocked. I truly liked this effort, as it got a lot of the complexities of each character down. Frollo is a man of religion but also science. His faith and logical mind battling it out as he experiences lust. Esmerelda is a victim of her own beauty, but also plays a hand in her own downfall. She doesn't understand her power over men which leads to her angering of the males. Quasimodo is portrayed as not so much an outcast here. He is known by all, but is awkward and unaware of his strength. This is a film where everyone is guilty for their actions, which also makes them all sympathetic. The design of the film is often too much. WIth so many colors and such production put in it comes across as an over the top school production. Less can be more, but with the final heart wrenching scene, you'll probably be left as an emotional wreck.
Leo L

Interesting

Cast

            Gina Lollobrigida as Esmeralda

            Anthony Quinn as Quasimodo

            Jean Danet as Capt. Phoebus

            Alain Cuny as Claude Frollo

            Dr. Robert Hirsch as Gringoire

            Maurice Sarfati as Jehan Frollo

            Philippe Clay as Clopin Trouillefou

            Danielle Dumont as Fleur de Lys

            Jean Tissier as Louis XI

            Madeleine Barbulée as Mme. Lecornu

            Roger Blin as Mathias Hungadi

            Paul Bonifas as Maitre Lecomu

            Georges Douking as Hoodlum

            Jacques Dufilho as Guillaume Rousseau

            Daniel Emilfork as Andry Le Rouse

            Jacques Hilling as Charmolue

            Jean Martin
            
            Albert Michel Jr. as Night Watchman

            Pierre Pieral as The Dwarf

            Albert Remy as Jupiter

            Valentine Tessier as Aloyse de Gondelaurier

            Boris Vian as The Cardinal

            Robert Lombard as Coppenole

            Hubert DeLapparent as Haraucourt

            Camille Guerini as The President

            Marianne Oswald as La Falourdel
See full cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started

Notre Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) (1957)

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Luke B

Leo L

Cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!