THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

US, 1939, 116 minutes, Black and white.
Charles Laughton, Cedric Hardwicke, Thomas Mitchell, Maureen O ’Hara, Edmond O ’Brien, Alan Marshal, Walter Hampden, Harry Davenport.
Directed by William Dierterle.

This version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is considered the classic. While Lon Chaney had made a great impression in the 1920s, in the silent version, Charles Laughton made the role his own in this version. Later Quasimodos include Anthony Quinn in 1957 (with Gina Lollobrigida) and Anthony Hopkins in the 1980s (with Lesley-Anne? Down as Esmeralda). There was an animated version in 1997 with Tom Hulce as the voice of Quasimodo and Demi Moore as Esmeralda.

The film is one of the many great films of 1939. Adapted from the novel by Victor Hugo, it is a popular story of the hunchback who is obsessed with the gypsy Esmeralda, defends her against the attacks of the cleric, hypocrite, in the cathedral of Notre Dame. It also focuses on the world of King Louis, the popular uprisings and the changes in the political horizons of France.

Charles Laughton had won an Oscar already for The Private Lives of Henry VII in 1933. This was one of his many fine performances. Cedric Hardwicke is particularly sinister as Frollo. Thomas Mitchell also appears (winning the Oscar for best supporting actor in Stagecoach for this year). The eighteen-year-old Maureen O ’Hara had moved from making films in the United Kingdom (just prior to this film, Jamaica Inn also with Charles Laughton) and is a most beautiful Esmeralda. This was the beginning of her long career in Hollywood. There is a strong supporting character cast and fine direction by William Dierterle, the German director who had come to Hollywood and made a number of biographical films at Warner Bros in the 1930s including The Life of Emile Zola, The Story of Louis Pasteur and Juarez, Doctor Ehrlich’s Magic Bullet and A Dispatch from Reuter’s.

1. Why is the film considered a classic? The contribution of Victor Hugo's story? The qualities of the film itself?

2. The quality of thirties techniques in film-making? The sets and costumes? Black and white photography?

3. The horror tradition of this film? The horror of the hunchback’s appearance and interventions? The film as melodrama with melodramatic characters and events? The pathos In the character of the hunchback, and Esmeralda?

4. How important was the French background? The 15th century? How convincing? King Louis and his attitudes? His not wanting oppression, the oppression of the people, the nobles? The picture of justice in this century?

5. The significance of the printing press as a symbol of freedom? Its use in the film? The discussions about its role and impact on people? The final confrontation of printing press and word?

6. The contrast with the torture, the presentation of the Ordeal, the gallows?

7. The world of gypsies, beggars, clashing with nobility? How interesting and convincing? The detail of this world?

8. Frollo as a character? His importance in the film? His puritanical style, his initial protection of Quasimodo? His lust for Esmeralda? Murdering Phoebus? His allowing Quasimodo and Esmeralda to go to trial and torture? the significance of his talks with the archbishop? With the king? The melodrama of his death? The significance of his character In this film? (Cedric Hardwicke’s performance, the intensity, the way in which he was filmed?)

9. The film’s focus on Quasimodo? The initial appearance, Charles Laughton's performance? His background as a character and foundling, bell-ringer, the cathedral? How ugly was he? The visualizing of the hunch? People’s superstition and his being made King of Fools? His response to this? His work as a bell-ringer and enjoying swinging on the bells? His love for Esmeralda, contrasting with that of Rollo? His going to prison, the lashes, in the pillory, his needing water? His response to Esmeralda with the water? His rescuing her in her time of danger? His protecting her? The significance of the hunchback at the end?

10. The portrayal of Esmeralda? The attractive gypsy? As significant amongst the world of the beggars and gypsies? The fight for freedom? Her response to Ragnon and his poetry? Her kindness to the hunchback, his rescuing her, protecting yet imprisoning her?

11. How convincing a hero was Gringoire? His poetry? The printing press? The humorous side of his naive convictions?

12. The significance of the King of the beggars? Especially in the final battle?

13. The importance of the characterization of the king? His attitude towards France, people’s loyalty towards him, his openness to new ideas, the administration of justice?

14. The character of Phoebus as a focal point?

15. The quality of the film as a historical work? The insight into this period of history?

16. The horror conventions and the presentation of the hunchback? A successful horror film? Its insight into human behaviour?