THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

France, 1956, 115 minutes, Colour.
Anthony Quinn, Gina Lollobrigida, Alain Cuny.
Directed by Jean Delannoy.

From the novel by Victor Hugo, this was a star vehicle for Lon Chaney and was outstanding for his make-up in the role of Quasimodo (and well illustrated in the biography with James Cagney, The Man with a Thousand Faces). There was a classic re-make in 1939 with Charles Laughton and Maureen O’Hara?, directed by William Diertele.

This re-make is the first in colour and pairs Anthony Quinn with Gina Lollobrigida. She is a fiery Esmeralda and Quinn a rather quiet compassionate Quasimodo. This was the period when Quinn won Oscars for Viva Zapata and Lust for Life. He was later to become Zorba the Greek and star in a variety of roles from Pope in The Shoes of the Fisherman to Aristotle Onassis in The Greek Tycoon. French actor Alain Cuny is sinister in the role of the cleric of Notre Dame. Not as persuasive as the first two versions but the story is interesting and always entertaining.

1. The appeal of costume action melodrama? Victor Hugo’ s work and French history? The focus on the hunchback and his symbolising ugliness but goodness? The reliance of the basic story on the myth of Beauty and the Beast?
2. The conventions of action melodrama - the period of Louis XIII? The civil dissension, the beggars, the nobility and the courts, the church? The film’s insight into this period through this story?

3. Colour photography, the re-creation of Paris in the Middle Ages and of Notre Dame, especially the bell tower? The inns and courts of the time? Sets and decor? Special effects especially for the battles and the siege of Notre Dame? The make-up for Quasimodo? The score?

4. Audience interest in the plot - the focus on Quasimodo and the blend of horror and compassion? His relationship to the Cleric of the cathedral and his hold over him? The entry of Esmeralda and the fascination for Quasimodo, and for the Cleric? The clash and the differing of their responses? The repercussions? The importance of Phoebus as hero? The contrast of the court and the wealthy with the world of the beggars? The credible build-up to the clash of the classes and the war and siege of Notre Dame? The resolution of the story and the death of Eumeralda and the grief of Quasimodo?

5. Anthony Quinn's interpretation of Quasimodo? his own manner, way of speaking? The contribution of the make-up? Seeing him within the cathedral, the ringing of the bells and his enjoyment? His speech, hearing? The fascination with the crowds? The patronage of the Cleric and the hold over him? Esmeralda, his taking her, the arrest and his humiliation in the square and her giving him water? The effect of this kindness on him? The balance of his rescuing her and giving her sanctuary? Her fear, his gentleness and not harming her, giving her food? The siege and his grief at her death, his pouring the oil and throwing the.boulders? The final clash with the Cleric and the discovery of the truth? Left alone in his grief? A classic character how valuable and with what depth this interpretation?

6. Gina Lollobrigida’s style as Esmeralda? Gypsy, dancing, her way with men? Her reaction to being taken by Quasimodo, the rescue by Phoebus and her love for him, the murder attempt and her being victimised by the jealous Cleric? The alternate theme of Beauty and the Beast insofar as the jealous and lustful Cleric was a beast? The court case, the evidence against her, her fear of torture especially as a dancer? Her kindness to Quasimodo with the water and its being repaid by her rescue in the square? Her fears of Quasimodo and being persuaded by his gentleness? The ringing of the bells and her terror? The rescue and the suddenness of her death? A heroine for turbulent times?

7. The role of the Church in the France of Louis XIII? The influence of the Clerics of Notre Dame? The Cleric and his hold over Quasimodo, his fascination with Esmeralda, his following her, the man in black and the face at the window, his jealousy and the attempt to kill Phoebus? His presence in the court and his condemnation of Esmeralda? His presence in the cathedral and the hostility of Quasimodo? His death? The evil personified in him?

8. The presentation of the gypsies, their thieving, the underground of Paris and the build-up to revolution? How well portrayed was this? its being relegated to subplot? The connection with the hunchback and the final siege of the cathedral and the defeat of the beggars?

9. The aristocracy - as embodied in Phoebus, his fiancee? Her mother? His assignation with Esmeralda and his almost being killed? His not knowing Esmeralda’s fate? The final leading of the troops to victory?

10. Louis XIII and his duplicity, arrogance? How was this exemplified by the court and its hearing, putting Esmeralda to the ordeal, cruelty and torture? The final siege? The need for revolution?

11. The feeling behind Quasimodo’s attraction toward Esmeralda? Genuine love, care and protection? Her response to him? The contrast of her love for Phoebus? The Cleric and his lustful wanting to possess Esmeralda and kill for her? Themes of love and romance?

12. The basic myth of Beauty and the Beast and its incorporation into this medieval action melodrama? The perennial appeal of this story?